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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Popcorn Shrimp
Popcorn Shrimp 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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Mystic
Mystic has been placed on the at-risk list due to ongoing behavioral concerns. He remains in his den throughout the day when staff are present and has displayed defensive behaviors when approached. When staff lift the den cover to check on him, he responds with hissing, lunging, and swatting. When a scratcher tool is presented, he growls and avoids interaction. Given these behaviors, it is in Mystic’s best interest to transition out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as soon as possible, as he does not appear to be thriving in the shelter setting. Medically, he appears healthy at this time.
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Pantha
Pantha is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and has begun to deteriorate in the Adoptions room. He is now at times displaying signs of frustration and over stimulation during cage cleanings and during some interactions. 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 feline body language, over stimulation, 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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Jennie
Jennie is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is an under socialized adult cat, 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/facility as quickly as possible to facilitate socialization in an appropriate and consistent manner. 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 an under socialized and fearful adult cat adjust to new environments and strangers.
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Aria
Aria is on the at-risk list due to behavioral concerns. Aria was returned to the Care Center due to separation anxiety reported in foster. Upon arrival, Aria was noted to be fearful but has warmed to staff. Despite efforts to keep her comfortable, Aria is showing signs of deterioration in kennel. Aria has been reported to persistently jumping and spinning in kennel; as well as vocalizing and finger-painting kennel walls at times. With staff, Aria remains social, allows all contact, and is treat receptive. Medically, Aria is noted to have dental disease but is otherwise apparently healthy.
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Venus
Venus is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. Venus is a sweet geriatric dog with comorbidities that are not able to managed in a shelter setting. Geriatric or palliative care is an option with placement, or alternatively, additional diagnostics and treatments can be pursued. Ideally, Venus would have a cardiology consultation with echo.
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Puma
Puma is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. Puma presented with a history of hematuria. He had elevated renal values consistent with early kidney disease on his intake diagnostics. Follow up dianostics showed improvement, but his hematuria persists. He will need follow up care with a full service veterinary clinic monitor these abnormalities. Behaviorally, he has solicted attention and pets but allows for limited medical handling.
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Jep
Jep is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Upon arrival Jep was noted to be highly food motivated and allowed all contact for his medical exam. Unfortunately, Jep has been observed to be highly dog reactive during his stay in the care center. Noted to hard bark and pull towards the other dogs with a stiff body while in the kennel room and while on leash. With handlers, Jep continues to be receptive to treats and allows contact. Medically, Jep is apparently healthy.
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Lola
Lola is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Lola in the care center has been intensely kennel fighting, including barking, lunging, and attempting to bite at dogs when passing their kennels, making it difficult to walk her safely at times. She also shows handling concerns, snapping and mouthing at hands during leashing, having to be clipped to her collar. Lola is social with handlers and is very affectionate, but is struggling to acclimate. Medically, Lola is apparently healthy.
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Chicken Little
Chicken Little is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns reported in her previous home. Chicken Little is reported to be highly dog reactive, especially around small dogs and has been reported by her previous owner to kill a cat. Chicken Little in the care center has remained a bit fearful, but is willing to interact and engage with staff. Medically, Chicken Little is obese but otherwise healthy.
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Matilda
Matilda is currently at risk due to behavioral concerns. She arrived at the Care Center as a stray and initially displayed reactivity toward other dogs. Over time, she showed improvement, becoming more tolerant and exhibiting relaxed body language during gate greetings. More recently, while being walked outside, Matilda slipped her leash, approached another dog being handled by a staff member, and bit the dog on the side; the bite did not break the skin. She has also been reluctant to go on walks and prefers to remain in the yard, where she has been observed to have a low threshold for arousal. Medically, Matilda has early-stage periodontal disease and a small dermal mass, and she has been friendly, relaxed, and easy to handle during examinations and treatments.
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Papa Smurf
Papa Smurf is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Papa Smurf displays fearful and defensive behavior, including growling, snarling, lunging, and allowing minimal handling. Papa Smurf has been displaying similar behaviors particularly when approached in the kennel. He also shows avoidance of interaction, and limited interest in food or enrichment during interactions with staff. Papa Smurf can be leashed and likes to explore outside, but is struggling to acclimate in the care center. Medically, Papa Smurf has a soft subcutaneous mass on the right side of his face.
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Berthold

Berthold is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Recently Berthold has escalated to hard barking and snapping at handlers. It is also reported that Berthold has a bite history; however, limited details were able to be collected. Medically Berthold is apparently healthy.
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Beauty
Beauty is at risk due to behavioral reasons. While in care Beauty has been observed to growl, bare teeth, and lunge towards handlers that approach. Her previous owner states that she will snap, hard bark, and growl towards strangers. They also state that she will growl, hard bark, and lunge at strangers, cats, small animals, and dogs. With a select handler Beauty has warmed up and is observed to be social. Medically, Beauty has dental disease and is receiving treatment for CIRDC.
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Keiko
Keiko is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Keiko arrived at the Care Center as a stray with limited history. Upon arrival Keiko was noted to be fearful during her handling assessment, but allowed contact for a medical exam and was social with staff. With handlers Keiko has remained treat receptive, loose and wiggly for pets, and enjoys her time outside with handlers. Despite efforts to keep her comfortable, Keiko has been showing signs of deterioration. Keiko has been observed to be biting kennel bars, heavily pant in kennel, and at times has been noted to be vocalizing in kennel. Additionally, Keiko has shown signs of decreasing threshold for arousal due to her kennel frustration; occasionally jumping on handlers needing to be stiff armed away. Medically, Keiko is noted to be underweight but is otherwise apparently healthy.
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Cheddar Bay Biscuit
Cheddar Bay Biscuit is at risk due to behavioral reasons. During intake, Cheddar was observed to lunge and persistently hard bark towards members of the public. This reactivity has continued to be observed while on the street, so Cheddar is now being walked in the yard. Cheddar has also been observed to be fearful while in care. Noted to thrash when handlers attempted to place a collar on him and pancake while in the kennel room. With handlers, Cheddar has started to warm up accepting petting,and stays engaged with treats and toys. Medically, Cheddar Bay Biscuit is apparently healthy.
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Thumper
Thumper is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She has warmed up considerably and now enjoys some petting when eating treats and when one approaches slowly. This has been a slow process 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 to continue her improvement. 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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Futon
Futon is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Futon arrived at the Care Center as a stray. Upon arrival Futon was noted to be highly fearful, noted to be very tense for her medical exam. With time, Futon has shown improved sociability; in her most recent handling assessment she was noted to warm up to handlers and be treat receptive. Futon has been showing on-leash reactivity, observed to pull hard towards people and dogs when on walks with a tense body. Staff have reported that Futon's reactivity can be managed with treats and is showing promise with 'engage/disengage' clicker training. Medically, Futon is apparently healthy.
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Levania
Levania is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Upon arriving at the care center Levania displayed high levels of fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS) and allowed minimal handling. He displayed a tense body and whale eyes handlers and has escalated to growling when being handled. With time, Levania has shown improved sociability, approaching handlers, soliciting contact, and is treat receptive. Unfortunately, Levania has been showing escalating reactivity to dogs in kennels and pop-up crates making it difficult to handle him safely. In one instance noted to lunge intensely toward a crate and is difficult to redirect. Medically, Levania is apparently healthy.
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Maya
Maya needs at risk placement for medical reasons. She is a young, sweet dog with chronic bloody diarrhea and an ulcerated colon. She needs a surgical consultation for colonoscopy, biopsy and culture to develop a treatment plan.
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Bell
Bell 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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Raisinet
Raisinet is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Rasinet has been escalating to intense leash biting when being returned to his kennel. He bites and pulls leads into the kennel and can be slow to respond to redirection efforts. Rasinet has been social with handlers during interactions, but intermittently shows interest in contact, preferring to engage with toys or eating treats. During his stay with a foster, Raisinet initiated an altercation with another dog after his leash snapped. When trying to separate the dogs, the foster received a small puncture on their finger with a few scratches. When being returned, Raisinet lunged and bit a staff member twice in the chest. Bites did not break skin, but left holes in their shirt. Medically, Raisinet has dermatitis.
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Nymeria
Nymeria is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Nymeria arrived at the Care Center as an owner surrender. Nymeria's previous owner noted that she is fearful of unfamiliar people and that has been observed during her arrival and initial part of her stay. Nymeria was noted to be tense during her handling assessment and medical exam. With time Nymeria has warmed up to staff, becoming social by soliciting contact and is now treat receptive. However, despite these improvements she is showing concerning on-leash reactivity. Nymeria has been observed to pull hard towards dogs with a tense body while vocalizing, this behavior is difficult to redirect. With staff Nymeria remains social. Medically, Nymeria is noted to have a wound that is healing and is overweight.
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Moochie
Moochie is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Moochie was recently returned from foster. Moochie is reported to have bitten the foster multiple times over resources. During her previous stay in care Moochie was observed to become tense while in the possession of a toy. Her previous owner also reports resource guarding. Her foster parent also noted handling sensitivity. Once when the handler attempted to remove her harness, Moochie escalated to snapping persistently. Medically, Moochie has dental disease and is currently in heat.
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Ronnie
Ronnie is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Ronnie came into our Care center as a stray. During intake Ronnie was tense bodied, whale eyeing handlers and growling. During his stay in the Care center, Ronnie has been observed to hard bark, jumping on his door as dogs pass his kennel. It has been reported Ronnie entered his kennel fine but he spun around and lunged towards the leash while baring teeth. Handler was able to remove the leash and close the kennel door but Ronnie began hard barking and fixating on their hand. Ronnie is receptive to treats and is social with handlers. Medically, Ronnie has periodontal disease and pyoderma.
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