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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Chillin
Chillin 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. Chillin has developed an upper respiratory infection; however, due to her behavior, thorough assessment and direct administration of oral or injectable medications cannot be safely performed, and medications must instead be provided in food. Chillin is currently stable, but consistent ingestion of the full prescribed medication doses cannot be assured in the shelter environment, which may limit effective treatment and negatively impact her clinical outcome.
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Pear
Pear 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. Medically Pear is apparently healthy.
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Rocky
Rocky 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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Sirius
Sirius 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. He is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. 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 mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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/her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid further bite/scratch incidents.
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Orlando
Orlando is on the at-risk list for behavior concerns. Orlando continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. He is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. 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. 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, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid bite/scratch incidents.
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Harley
Harley is on the At Risk list due to behavior. While she is social in shelter, she has a history of PICA (consuming plastic), is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. 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 feline body language.
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Nym
Nym 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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Beau
Beau is on the at-risk list due to behavior. Although he is displaying social behaviors in the shelter, Beau does have a multiple bite and scratch history in his previous home. It would be 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 managing cats who rough play and may be prone to overstimulation.
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Sabby
Sabby is on the at-risk list for medical concerns. Sabby is a cat with a history of attacking her tail. She has now had two tail amputations and continues to self mutilate. Her most recent surgery is not healing properly because she was able to open it back up. She is on multiple pain medications, but will likely need a long-term anxiolytic medication and additional follow up veterinary care to manage the current tail amputation site. Behaviorally, Sabby is sweet and has allowed medical handling.
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Remi
Remi is on the At Risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. She is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. 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 her mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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 feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid further bite/scratch incidents.
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Hazel
Hazel is on the At Risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. She is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. 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 her mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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 feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid bite/scratch incidents.
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Koba
Koba is at risk due to behavior concerns. Koba is noted to have a mild leash bite in the care center but is able to refocus with treats. Koba is noted to kennel fight with neighboring dogs in the kennel and is noted to thrash when being picked up.On walks, he has pulled hard enough to choke himself and has been observed to fixate, bark, and pull toward dogs and children. Koba is social and responsive to handlers when in calmer settings. He will accept treats and allow petting. Medically Koba is Apparently Healthy.
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Benicio
Benicio 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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Apple Bloom
Apple Bloom is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Apple Bloom has shown fearful behavior, including hard barking, growling, dodging the leash, keeping distance from handlers, and displaying a tense body with a tucked tail. Apple Bloom has shown improvement over time, becoming easier to leash and more comfortable around handlers, taking treats, engaging with enrichment, and participating in playgroups but is still struggling to acclimate. Medically, Apple Bloom is apparently healthy.
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Fionna
Fionna is at risk due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Fionna is noted to display arousal concerns, often jumping up on handlers and becoming mouthy. On one occasion, she is noted to have jumped up and mouthed a handler's PPE. She is also noted to bite the leash when coming out of her kennel or during her walks. When returning to her kennel she has become reluctant to go back, requiring a secondary handler to help use a sling to help her back into her kennel. Despite this, Fionna is noted to seek attention from her handler, allowing petting, and will perform "sit" and "paw" cues. Medically, Fionna has dental disease but is otherwise healthy.
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Lowkey Mischief

Lowkey Mischief is at risk due to behavioral concerns. In the Care Centers, Lowkey Mischief was noted to be inconsistent with kennel reactivity. He was reported to jump high up in kennel vocalizing, attempting to kennel fight as he exits. He was also noted to be inconsistent with mouthing on handlers. He has reportedly mouthed handlers sleeves and hands with various levels of pressures. At times he was able to be easily redirected with treats or cue. Lowkey is reported to be social with familiar staff, allowing for petting and gently taking treats. Medically, Lowkey Mischief is underweight.
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Leonidas
Leonidas is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and 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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Rufferee
Rufferee is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Rufferee has shown high arousal and fixation around toys, including becoming tense, hovering over and body-blocking toys, and becoming difficult to redirect on walks as well when he notices random toys or items on the ground. He has also lunged and snapped toward staff when becoming aroused during medical handling. Outside these moments, Rufferee is social and always willing to engage in training sessions and yard time. Medically, Rufferee is apparently healthy.
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Fluffy
Fluffy is in the at risk list for medical and behavioral reasons. Fluffy has not eaten consistently for at least five days and this threatens her developing fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis). She needs a quiet and stress-free environment that we can not provide. Fluffy also 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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Valentino
Valentino is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Valentino has shown high arousal on leash, including persistent leash biting that can be difficult to redirect and has been not wanting to walk back to the care center after his walks, pancaking and laying on the ground. He often returns to the leash after briefly engaging with treats or toys and overall deteriorating in the care center despite best efforts to keep him comfortable. Outside of these moments, Valentino is loose and social, enjoys playing with toys and the flirt pole, and engages well with handlers. Medically, Valentino is apparently healthy.
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Dodger
Dodger is on the at-risk list for medical concerns. Dodger has complicated medical conditions and given our limited ability to treat appropriately in the shelter we haven't seen improvement. During his stay, Dodger has consistently had severe diarrhea and recently noted vomiting. He has a very low/absent appetite and has lost weight while in care. He has also recently developed mild CIRDC signs. Diagnostics have not reveal an underlying causes. Dodger will not take oral medications and he has medical handling sensitivities which make it difficult to treat him. Behaviorally, Dodger has allowed limited handling. He has been obsvered to growl and lip lick when handlers approach. Also noted to dodge the leash while in kennel and escalate to growling, snapping, and biting the leash. Dodger would benefit from a low stress environment for further diagnostics.
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Bentley
Bentley is at risk due to behavioral reasons. He has been observed to have a very low threshold for arousal. During his previous stay in the care center, Bentley was observed to jump up on handlers frequently and head whip when contact was initiated. During his current stay, Bentley jumping and mouthing behavior has escalated in making contact with clothings and staff members arms/legs. Recently Bentley was returned to the care center due to similar behaviors. While loose in the previous adopter's home, Bentley would begin jumping and grabbing onto their clothing. Outside of these moments with handlers, Bentley has been observed to have a loose and wiggly body. Medically, Bentley is apparently healthy.
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Cookie King
Cookie King is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Cookie has been observed to be highly dog reactive while in care, noted to become tense when seeing another dog. This behavior is not able to be redirected easily. Recently Cookie has been observed to lunge towards a dog in a pop up crate and snapping towards them. This behavior was very difficult to redirect. With handlers Cookie is observed to have a loose and wiggly body. Medically, Cookie is apparently healthy.
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Moose
Moose is at risk for behavior reasons. Moose was surrendered for behavior reasons; he is reactive to strangers and other animals on walks and has reported resource guarding in the home. Moose was initially highly fearful with potential for defensive aggression. After a few days in care he began to warm up with select handlers. He has done well on walks but has become over aroused in the yard. Medically, he is apparently healthy.
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Zeus Caterpillie
Zeus Caterpillie is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. Zeus Caterpillie came to the shelter as a stray after being found tied to a fence. He has been having diarrhea with both fresh and digested blood since his intake and has developed a progressive anemia. We have not been able to identify the source of the blood in his diarrhea. Zeus Caterpillie needs more advanced diagnostics and more individualized care than we can provide in shelter. Zeus has been a very sweet boy for his medical handling and has been eating with a good appetite.
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