At-Risk Animals

Thank you for your interest in adopting from Animal Care Centers of NYC. Our At-Risk List is posted three times a week, on the evenings of Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 6:00PM and remains viewable for 42 hours.

Schedule overview:
Animals posted at 6:00PM on Sunday evening will be viewable until Tuesday at 12:00PM noon.
Animals posted at 6:00PM on Tuesday evening will be viewable until Thursday at 12:00PM noon.
Animals posted at 6:00PM on Thursday evening will be viewable until Saturday at 12:00PM noon.

To find out the status of at-risk animals, please visit the At-Risk Outcomes page.

If this is your first time visiting this site, please read the below information carefully.

For anyone who wishes to adopt, there is a mandatory deposit fee of $200 plus a transaction fee per animal to place an adoption reservation. The $200 covers $50 toward the adoption fee and $150 for the spay/neuter deposit. If the animal has already been spayed or neutered or is permanently waived by one of our veterinarians, the $150 deposit will be refunded at the time of the adoption. If the animal does need to leave without being spayed or neutered due to his/her medical condition, the $150 deposit will be refunded at the time they are brought back for the spay/neuter surgery or when proof of sterilization being done elsewhere is provided to ACC. If you do not follow through with the adoption, the entire $200 deposit will be considered a charitable donation to ACC's Special Treatment and Recovery Fund (STAR). Also, if the adoption fee for an animal is less than $50, the difference will be considered a charitable donation to the STAR Fund. Similarly, in-shelter pricing promotions do not apply to at-risk animals.

To complete an adoption, please click reserve on the animal of your choice. That animal will be loaded in your cart and you will have 15 minutes to complete the adoption process. In order to complete your reservation, you need to check out (top right corner). At this point, you will enter in your credit card information and a receipt will be emailed to you as confirmation of your reservation. If you have any issues, please email adopt@nycacc.org for help navigating the website.

If you are interested in fostering/adopting through one of our New Hope partners, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ozHex3uqvNkQt2dq9

At-Risk Animals

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Saphire
Saphire is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Saphire has inconsistent leash biting behaviors in the care center and has displayed some dog reactivity. In the care center, Saphire tore a staff member’s shirt, jumping up and grabbing their shirt when being returned making it difficult to walk her safely at times. Saphire is noted to at times leash bite while in kennel, although refocused with treat at times. While she engages with staff throughout her stay, she struggles at times to acclimate despite best efforts to keep her comfortable. Medically, Saphire is apparently healthy.
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Sinby
Sinby is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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Dobby
Dobby is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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Bert
Bert is on the at-risk list for medical concerns. Bert is a cat with severe periodontal disease and stomatitis. He was noted to be emaciated and dehydrated upon intake, and has had a good appetite in care. His bloodwork is consistent with chronic kidney disease. He will need to have a dental procedure performed once he is more stable and will need additional follow up veterinary care for CKD.
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Onyx
Onyx is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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Clark
Clark is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Clark has displayed increased arousal in the care center and has been deteriorating in the care center. Clark will begin leash biting both in and outside of his kennel. Clark at times is difficult to refocus while leash biting, making it difficult to walk at time. While social and affectionate with staff, he continues to struggle in the care center. Medically, Clark is receiving treatment for CIRDC.
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Coby
Coby is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Coby has shown signs of stress and reluctance during his walks, frequently pulling back toward the care center or refusing to continue once outside, even when coaxed by staff. Coby in the care center continues to struggle with the environment of the care center despite best efforts to keep him comfortable. Medically, Coby is currently being treated for diarrhea but is otherwise healthy.
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Christmas
Christmas is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Christmas high levels of stress in the care center, frequently jumping and hard barking at his kennel door and during interactions displaying tense, avoidant behavior during handling. Christmas will flinch when touched, avoid interaction at times and is generally uncomfortable in the care center Medically, Christmas has otitis externa.
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Lucky
Lucky is on the at risk list for medical reasons. Lucky is a geriatric cat with significant dental disease and bilateral cystic masses on her mouth. Ideally, she would have additional diagnostics and a dental procedure with biopsies. Behaviorally, she allows petting and light handling, but growled and hissed with restraint for blood draw.
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Chestnut
Chestnut is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Chestnut arrived at the Care Center as a stray with no known history. Chestnut was noted to initially allow handling but also head-whipped and growled during his medical exam. Chestnut has been showing concerning handling and touch sensitivity. During a handling assessment, Chestnut was noted to become tense during contact. More concerning, is Chestnut has been observed to growl and snap toward handlers when being touched around his head area. With select staff, Chestnut is social and at times will solicit contact. Additionally handlers have reported Chestnut is treat motivated and understands basic commands such as 'sit', 'paw', and 'down'. Medically, Chestnut is noted to have dental disease but is otherwise apparently healthy.
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Millie
Millie is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. She has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to her stress levels, it is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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Spicy
Spicy is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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Zion
Zion is at risk for behavior reasons. Zion is highly fearful in the care center. He is only allowing handling from select staff. Initially he was refusing to walk, freezing in the adoptions room, fleeing from staff as they attempt to clip him. He has warmed up significantly with familiar handlers using positive reinforcement. He is very treat motivated, however Zion is still too fearful for a successful adoption interaction. Medically, he is a healthy dog.
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Rocko
Rocko is at risk due to behavioral reasons. During intake Rocko was obsvered to hard bark and lunge towards handlers. During his stay in the care center Rocko has remained tense when handlers attempted to interact and he is noted to growl when approached while in kennel. Rocko's previous owner states that he will hard bark and growl towards strangers during walks. It is also reported that he will hard bark and growl when held/restrained. Medically, Rocko is apparently healthy.
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Madame Lola
Madame Lola is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Madame Lola arrived at the Care Center as owner surrender. Madame Lola was noted to be wiggly and social with staff for both intake and medical exam. Her previous owner noted that Madame Lola is a "very high" energy dog and will jump frequently for attention. Madame Lola has been noted to have poor impulse control and signs of low-threshold for arousal. During handling assessments Madame Lola is noted to be jumping on staff and mouth handlers hands frequently. On walks, handlers note that Madame Lola continues to be treat motivated and exuberantly social. Medically, Madame Lola is apparently healthy.
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Loki
Loki is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. Without providing activity for his/her mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. He displays signs of petting-induced aggression as well. It is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with feline body language, overstimulation, petting-induced aggression, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid (further) bite/scratch incidents. Medically, medical records show FeBart Bartonella +4 results. This indicates that Loki has antibodies (previous exposure), but does not confirm infection. We can considering PCR testing with placement if concern persists.
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Kyle

Kyle is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Kyle has shown escalating dog reactivity in the care center, frequently pulling toward, whining at, and lunging at passing dogs both in the building and outdoors. On walks, he tenses, vocalizes, and is unable to take treats when highly aroused, continuing to lunge even at a distance. In lower stimuli settings he can be social and playful with staff but becomes over aroused quickly, pacing, panting, and attempting to mount. Medically, Kyle has otitis externa.
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Zues
Zues is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Zues arrived at the Care Center due to his previous owners having allergies to dogs. Upon intake, Zues allowed handling and at times was loose bodied. Despite efforts to keep him comfortable at the Care Center, Zeus has been showing concerning levels of anxiety and on-leash reactivity. During a handling assessment, Zeus was noted to be panting, pacing, and seeking exit persistently. Zeus's previous owners also noted he was an anxious dog especially when left alone. During walks, Zues has been noted to pull hard toward dogs with tense body without being able to be redirected. Zues at times has also shown reactivity to people, pulling toward people on walks; during his medical exam he was initially wiggly but became tense as medical staff approached him. Zues's previous owners report that he is smart, social with familiar people, and understands basic commands. Medically, Zues is being treated for CIRDC (Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex), is noted to have Dermatitis, and Otitis Externa.
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Taro Bubble Tea
Taro bubble tea is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Taro came to our care center as a stray. During his time within in our Care center, he has exhibited dog reactivity with pulling hard with a tense body with occasionally hackles raised and fixating. He has also shown fixation on inanimate objects while in the center and on walks pulling hard towards them and has not been easily redirected. It has been noted by staff that Taro engages in pattern games and is receptive. He has been social with handlers and enjoys treats. Medically, Taro has a heart murmur- no clinical disease.
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Houston
Houston is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Houston has been intensely fearful and stressed in the care center, often trembling, tucking his tail, and seeking exits during sessions. He frequently presses his body against handlers for proximity while remaining tense, and becomes panicked during transitions, jumping, thrashing, or pulling away when moved toward new areas. He does not engage with treats, paces, and avoids settling in new environments. Medically, Houston is apparently healthy.
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Leo
Leo is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Leo was returned to the Care Center as a stray. During his current stay Leo has been observed to have a much lower threshold for arousal. During an assessment Leo very quickly became over aroused. He was observed to be jumping on furniture, towards handlers, while barking and vocalizing. When conducting the handling portion of the assessment, Leo began to head-whip, snap at the handler and leashes, and lunge with an open mouth. His arousal kept escalating to the point of requiring the assistance of a secondary handler to to safely return him to kennel. During his previous stay, Leo was noted to be social with staff and allow contact. Medically, Leo is apparently healthy.
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Max
Max is at risk due to behavioral reasons. During his initially stay in the care center Max was obsvered to be fearful noted to baulk and plant while on leash. He was recently returned to the care center due to being "too much". His adopter reported that he pulled hard and caused them to fall over a few times while they were trying to handle him. During his current stay in the care center Max has been obsvered to have a low threshold for arousal, dog reactivity and rope reactivity. Max has been obsvered to become aroused and begin mouthing, mounting, and air snapping at the handler. He will also jump up and begin biting the leash and other objects that are in the yard. During one instance when seeing another dog Max turned towards the handler and began snapping at their chest. In kennel Max is also reported to bite the leash. While out with handlers Max is obsvered to be receptive to treats and will engage in training. Medically, Max is overweight.
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Vino
Vino is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. He is an adult cat with FIV and FELV and an upper respiratory infection. He is eating and needs a quiet home to convalesce.
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Joni
Joni is on the At Risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Shelter. She is social but is now displaying signs of increased reactivity to touch which can be difficult to redirect. Due to her stress levels, it is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space and who have experience with cats with overstimulation, touch sensitivity, petting induced aggression, etc..
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Romeo
Romeo is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with fear-based defensive behaviors and helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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