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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Raveena

Raveena is at risk list for medical reasons. Raveena is a sweet senior dog with comorbidities. She most notably, has multiple mammary gland tumors. She also has several dermal masses, dental disease, suspected osteoarthritis, and recently - wounds to her paws. Raveena will need follow-up veterinary care to properly diagnose and treat her medical issues. Behaviorally, she is very sweet and has allowed all medical handling. UPDATE 11/5: Raveena is also positive for ringworm, which is uncommon in dogs and typically only affects immunocompromised individuals. She will need follow up treatment for this with placement.
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Octopus

Octopus 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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Stallone

Stallone 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 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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Milo

Milo 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 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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Pelu

Pelu is on the At Risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. He is now displaying signs of defensive aggression. 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 and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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Kara

Kara is at risk due to behavioral reasons. She has been observed to escalate to snapping, snarling, showing teeth, and vocalizing when handlers approach to leash her. Recently Kara has become reluctant to exit the kennel. When handlers attempt to touch Kara she will growl. In one instance a handler picked Kara up due to an off leash dog rapidly approaching them. Kara bit the handler on the hand, causing broken skin in several places. With handlers, Kara is receptive to a slow approach. Medically, Kara is overweight.
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Nougat

Nougat is on the at-risk list due to medical concerns. Nougat is a friendly cat, We have assessed that Nougat is diabetic with diabetic neuropathy. He has been started on treatment for his diabetes. Nougat will need daily maintenance with their medical condition and further follow up with outside vet care. Nougat has allowed all handling.
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Papo

Papo 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. Papo has moderate dental disease.
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Chessboard

Chessboard 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 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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Coraline

Coraline is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and while has warmed up to familiar caretakers, continues to display some distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. 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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Yan Yan

Yan Yan 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. Yan Yan has moderate dental disease.
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Rex

Rex is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Rex has shown high arousal and fixation around food, including repeatedly jumping at and pushing into handlers' treat pouches and grabbing onto clothing. Rex responds well to training and has shown improvement with leave-it and disengagement work, successfully redirecting from treat pouches and other dogs when cued, but is struggling to regulate his arousal on his own in the care center. Medically, Rex is apparently healthy.
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Dr. Tom-Ato

Dr. Tom-Ato is on the At Risk list due to behavior. While he does display social behavior, he is prone to overstimulation and displays challenging behavior during interactions and in a home environment. 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 hismind 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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Twinkle Toes

Twinkle Toes is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Twinkle Toes has shown significant kennel stress and high arousal, including repetitive spinning, bouncing off the kennel walls and door, jumping, barking, heavy panting, and hard pulling on leash. She has also displayed lunging and hard barking toward dogs outside of the care center as well as jumping on staff incessantly during walks. Twinkle Toes responds well to training and is consistently able to redirect and engage with handlers using pattern games, touch, and engage/disengage work and is highly social with staff and her favorite volunteers. Medically, Twinkle Toes is apparently healthy.
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Easy Cheesy

Easy Cheesy is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Cheesy has been observed to highly fearful while in care. During intake, Cheesy was observed to hard bark, lunge, growl, and muzzle punch when handlers were attempting to interact with them. In kennel, Cheesy has continued to be observed to be fearful. Noted to bark at handlers with a tense body when they attempt to interact. With a slow approach, Cheesy is observed to engage with enrichment. Medically, Easy Cheesy is on oral antibiotic for Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex.
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Coopsta

Coopsta is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Despite our best efforts at keeping him comfortable, Coopsta has been observed to be highly stressed while in care. Noted to finger paint his kennel with feces and has been observed to be jumping up and down. With handlers, Coopsta has been observed to be mouthy and was noted to mouth handlers when they were attempting to leash him. In one instance Coopsta was noted to snap at the lock when the handler went to place it on his kennel. While out with handlers, Coopsta is responsive and is receptive to contact. He will lean into the handler while seeking more. Medically, Coopsta is apparently healthy.
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Junebugg

Junebugg is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Junebugg has shown high arousal on walks, including jumping up and repeatedly biting at handlers' clothing and the leash. He has also displayed dog-directed reactivity, including persistent fixation and pulling toward other dogs even when distance is increased. Outside of these moments, Junebugg is social with handlers, easy to leash, responds well to treats and cues, and engages appropriately with enrichment. Medically, Junebugg is apparently healthy.
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Haribo

Haribo is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Haribo has shown high arousal on walks, including repeatedly jumping on handlers and intense leash biting. His leash biting has recently become difficult to redirect with treats or toys at times. Haribo has shown the ability to settle when with staff and is otherwise easy to leash and return to his kennel, but is struggling in the care center to acclimate. Medically, Haribo is apparently healthy.
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Pichirilo

Reserved
Pichirilo is on the at-risk list due to medical concerns. Pichirilo is shy, sweet boy who has severe inflammation of his mouth. It is a condition called gingivostomatitis. Pichi will likely need a dental procedure to remove all of his teeth, a full mouth extraction. He has started eating again with a course of steroids to help with the inflammation, but this is not a permanent fix and is not ideal in the shelter. Pichirilo would do best outside of the shelter environment with individualized care and a quiet place to recover. Behaviorally, he is tense but allows all handling.
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Facey

Facey 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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Dust Bunny

Dust Bunny is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Dust Bunny has shown high arousal on walks, including incessantly jumping on handlers, hard pulling, heavy panting, and persistent leash biting. He will jump up, grab, and pull down on the leash repeatedly. Dust Bunny is able to be refocused with toys at times and is very social with staff and volunteers. Medically, Dust Bunny has dermatitis and an interdigital mass.
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Misa

Misa is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Misa has shown dog-directed reactivity, including staring and pulling hard toward other dogs. During one incident, she redirected toward a handler's ankle and pant leg when leash pressure was used to move her away from a small dog. Outside of these moments, Misa is social with handlers, approaches with a loose and wiggly body, accepts petting and treats, and can be redirected with food. Medically, Misa has a mass on her left hind leg and dental disease.
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Millie

Millie is at risk due to behavioral reasons. While in care, Millie has been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to have a tense body, tucked tail, and maintains her distance from handlers. While on leash, Millie will balk, flail, and pull towards familiar places. Often times Millie has to be picked up and carried by handlers. Her previous owner describes her as a social and affectionate dog. With familiar handlers Millie will engage with toys, sits on your lap, enjoys being dressed up, and allows all handling. Medically, Millie is currently in heat, has shown signs of psychogenic polydipsia which we believe is due to her anxious behavior, and is otherwise is healthy at this time.
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Pumpkin Muffin

Pumpkin Muffin is at risk due to behavior concerns. During her time in the care center, she has been noted to have a low threshold for arousal. She has been noted to rapidly exit her kennel, spin, jump, and attempt to bite the leash. During her intake it was noted Pumpkin Muffin growled when new people approached her. As she seltted she accepts petting, enjoys sits beside her handlers, and leans against their legs for pets. Pumpkin Muffin greets handlers with loose with wagging tail. Readily takes treats and eagerly responds to verbal cues with positive reinforcement. Medically, Pumpkin Muffin is apparently healthy.
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Dasher

Dasher is at risk due to behavior concerns. During her time in the care center Dasher has been noted to lunge, bare teeth and hard bark at handlers when they pass by her kennel. While she was staying in a crate the same behavior was seen causing her crate to move forward when dogs would pass. She has been noted to become tense, hover over her food, and hard bark when handlers approach. Dasher reportedly pulled hard and showed the hard barking behavior in her previous home but owner noted Dasher had no issues with other dogs. While waiting for a kennel space to be made at intake Dasher was seen lying next to two yorkies cuddling with them. With handlers she has been noted to participate in agility training and knows the cues “sit” and “paw:”. Dasher enjoys pets and engages for treats. Medically, Dasher was recently treated for diarrhea but is otherwise healthy.
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