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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Baobab
Baobab 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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Nemo
Nemo is currently on the at-risk list due to ongoing behavior concerns that are being exacerbated by the shelter environment. While she has shown some positive social behaviors—such as soliciting attention, vocalizing, and accepting limited petting—she is not thriving in a kennel setting and becomes increasingly stressed and frustrated when confined. Nemo is highly focused on escaping her cage, and when prevented from doing so her behavior can escalate quickly, with rising arousal and the potential for unpredictable reactions. She has a known history of a bite incident and repeated, difficult-to-predict escalations toward humans, both in the shelter and in her previous home. Although she can engage briefly with staff and treats, these strategies are insufficient to mitigate her stress levels in the shelter, and continued confinement poses a risk to her welfare and safety. Due to the combination of kennel-related stress, frustration-based escalation, and her behavior history, the behavior team believes Nemo’s best and safest outcome is placement with a rescue that can transition her out of the shelter and into a stable, experienced environment where her needs can be managed with time, space, and appropriate behavioral support.
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Nocturne
Nocturne 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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Neda
Neda 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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Jacob B
Jacob B. 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, and has a multiple bite/scratch history. 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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Oreo
Oreo 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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Grandpa Joe
Grandpa Joe is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Grandpa Joe has been observed to be highly dog reactive. Noted to hard bark and lunge towards other dogs in kennel and in pop up crates. This behavior is difficult to redirect. In the yard Grandpa fixates on dogs and pull hard towards them. Medically Grandpa has a mass and CIRDC. Grandpa Joe is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Grandpa Joe arrived at the Care Center as a stray with no known history. During his intake, Grandpa Joe was fearful but did allow handling. He was also noted to be highly reactive to dogs, lunging and barking when seeing dogs in kennels and crates. Grandpa Joe's reactivity to dogs has continued to be observed during his stay; on walks he is noted to become tense, pull hard toward dogs, rearing up on hind legs, and is very difficult to redirect. Grandpa Joe has also at times been difficult to handle when re-entering kennel, baulking refusing to enter and quickly turn and push out of kennel; but has shown recent improvement. With staff, Grandpa Joe has been social and soliciting contact from select staff. Medically, Grandpa Joe is noted to have an enlarged but uniform prostate.
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Blu
Blu is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Blu has been obsvered to be on leash reactive and have a low threshold for arousal. While on leash Blu has been obsvered to pull hard and lunge towards other dogs. This behavior is not able to be easily redirected. His previous owner states that he will hard bark towards strangers that approach. Blu has also been obsvered to head whip, jump towards the handler, and mouth them when over aroused. When interacting with handlers Blu is noted to be loose and wiggly. Medically, Blu is apparently healthy.
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Winter
Winter 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 significantly 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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Cooper
Cooper is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Copper came to the shelter as an owner surrender. During his stay in the care center, Cooper hasn't been able to settle and pushes hard when handlers' attempt to leash. Staff have reported hard to leash, leash biting and pulls hard in all directions at random. Cooper jumps on handlers but can be redirected with treats. During Cooper's assessment he was panting, pacing, and whining during the assessment. He would become tense, hover then bite the assess-a-hand when he had a toy in his possession. Owner reported Cooper is social and affectionate dog that be very active and playful. He loves water and bath time. He knows basic verbal cues and loves to play with toys that squeak. Medically, Cooper has otitis externa.
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Cioccolata
Cioccolata is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Cioccolata arrived at the Care Center as a stray with no known history. Upon intake Cioccolata was noted to be social, loose bodied, and allowed all handling. Despite efforts to keep her comfortable, Cioccolata has been reported to be highly kennel reactive. In one instance Cioccolata's teeth were able make contact with a dog through kennel bars, this did not break skin. Recently staff have reported Cioccolata is redirectable with treats when moving through kennel rooms. With staff, Cioccolata remains social and allows all contact. Medically Cioccolata is noted to have dental disease and otitis externa.
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Maria
Maria is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is an under socialized adult and 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 and under socialized adult cat adjust to strangers.
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Maxie Waxie
Maxie Waxie is at risk for to behavioral concerns. Maxie came to our care center as an owner surrender. Owner reported that Maxie will hard bark, growl, and lunge towards cats and dogs. They also state that Max pulls hard while on leash. During his stay in our care center Maxie has been observed to bark and pull towards other dogs while outside and when dogs pass his kennel. He will hard bark and paw through his food slot. During his assessment he grips firm, and becomes tense, and moves away with the toy. Maxie would also pace while in the room. Staff reported that while on walks Maxie lunges towards people. Owner reported that Maxie loves car rides along with being social, very active and playful. Maxie loves chewable toys, ropes and chew bones. Medically, Maxie Waxie is currently healthy.
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Justice
Justice is at risk due to behavioral reasons. During his stay in the care center Justice has been observed to be on leash reactive and rope reactive. Noted to pull towards dogs and people on leash while alert barking. While in kennel Justice is observed to jump up, bite and tug the leash into kennel. During one instance Justice jumped up and bite the handler on the finger when they were trying to leash him, this bite did not break skin. Justice is also observed to head whip and nearly bite the handler when they attempted to clip their leash. Medically, Justice is a cryptorchid and has recently recovered from CIRDC.
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Doeby
Doeby is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Doeby was returned to the Care Center as an owner surrender due to housing restrictions. Upon intake Doeby was highly social with staff and allowed all handling. Doeby has become intensely dog reactive during her stay. Doeby has been reported to growl, pull towards, and hard bark at dogs. This has been observed to occur when moving past occupied kennels, crates, and when seeing dogs on walks; Doeby is difficult to redirect. Doeby's previous owners have noted that she did get along with another resident small dog and neighbor's dogs. With staff, Doeby continues to be social, treat motivated and allow all contact. Medically Doeby is apparently healthy.
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Dicey Nicey
Dicey Nicey is on the at-risk list for medical reasons. She is a sweet, geriatric cat with hyperthyroidism that needs a home to administer her chronic medication.
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Maurine
Maurine is at risk due to behavioral concerns. While Maurine has been social with handlers and caretakers during her stay in care, her kennel stress is worsening despite the best efforts to keep her comfortable. She is jumping to the top of her kennel and scraping her nose on the inside of the kennel as she continues to jump up. Medically, Maurine is apparently healthy.
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Ike
Ike is on the at risk list due to behavior concerns in his previous home. While in home he growled and bit owner over a blanket that was being removed from his area. A secondary incident happened when Ike was being introduced to another large dog and Ike bit the dog. Neither incident broke skin. Ike in the care center has been social with staff, leaning in for pets, enjoys treats, and walks well on a loose leash. Reuturning to kennel Ike does become excited and will pull towards other dogs. Medically, Ike is being treated for CIRDC currently.
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Pond
Pond is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Pond in the care center has been deteriorating despite best efforts to keep her comfortable. Pond paws and jumps at her kennel door when being removed, reactive on walks and recently has a incident with a staff member leash biting intensely and jumping towards there arms. Pond is very social with staff but struggling to acclimate to the care center environment. Medically, Pond is healthy at this time.
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Mickey
Mickey is on the at-risk list due to medical reasons. Mickey is a geriatric cat that has been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. He is also underweight, matted, and has severe dental disease. He will require follow-up and lifelong veterinary care.
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Honey
Honey is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Honey in the care center has been deteriorating despite best efforts to keep her comfortable. Honey in the care center has began to kennel fighting leaving and entering kennel rooms, and is unable to settle on her own at times during interactions making it difficult to walk her safely. Honey is social with staff but struggling to acclimate to the care center environment. Medically, Honey has an ocular abnormality in one eye.
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Obsidian
Obsidian is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Obsidian came into the care center as an owner surrender. Obsidian was initially fearful when she first arrived but warmed up quickly, jumping up on staff excitedly. Obsidian will pull hard on leash and has been reported to lunge at people walking by on the street. She has displayed kennel stress, persistently jumping in her kennel while the room is quiet. She has also proved difficult to return to kennel and in one instance pushed herself out of kennel and started jumping at handler and attempting to bite their arms. Owner reported Obsidian is a social, affectionate, active, and playful dog that loves her rope toys and bones. Medically, Obsidian has dental disease.
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Summit
Summit is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Summit arrived at the Care Center as a stray with no known history. Shortly after his intake, Summit was noted to become social with familiar staff and allow handling. Recently, Summit has been showing increased resource guarding and reactivity. Summit has been observed to pull hard toward kennels and escalate to snapping at occupied pop-up crates. Summit has also been observed to growl at people when in possession of toys and enrichment. At times Summit has also been noted to growl and hard stare at people approaching his kennel. With familiar staff Summit continues to be social and treat motivated. Medically, Summit is apparently healthy.
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Kutu
Kutu is on the at risk list for medical reasons. Kutu was noted to have a cystic mass (or abscess) that was lanced and flushed, but has not resolved. Cytology is pending to attempt to identify its underlying cause. Kutu has also had a very poor appetite in care and has not tolerated medical treatments well. He will need additional veterinary care (supportive care, diagnostics, possibly surgery, etc) with placement.
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Socky
Socky is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Socky was surrendered to the care center due to behavior in the home. He was reported to bark or bare teeth at strangers, bikes, or small animals while on leash. During one instance Socky lunged at a neighbor and bit their jacket, this did not result in broken skin. While in care Socky has been observed to growl and lip lift towards handlers when they attempt to leash him. Socky will also retreat to the back of the kennel when a leash is presented for a walk. Despite our best efforts, Socky remains very tense with staff both in and out of kennel. Medically, Socky is apparently healthy.
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