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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Labubu
Labubu is on the at-risk due to behavior concerns. Labubu in the care center has not been acclimating well to the shelter environment, despite best efforts to keep him comfortable. Initially, Labubu was intensely fearful in care, and has warmed up but has now began to display an increasingly poor kennel presence, baring teeth and hard barking when approached in his kennel and when removed begins to kennel fight passing kennels making it difficult to walk him safely at times. Medically, Labubu is apparently healthy.
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Agnes
Agnes is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Agnes was noted to be highly fearful when first arriving at the Care Centers. Despite efforts to keep him comfortable, Agnes has remained fearful and is not warming up to staff. Agnes is noted to be difficult to leash (leash dodging), hesitant to exit or enter kennel, and at times thrashed on leash when walking through the hallways of the Care Centers. In play yard Agnes is noted to hide below benches, show tense body and tucked tail, often pacing in a circular motion around handlers avoiding socializing. Agnes is noted to walk fairly well on leash when outside on sidewalk, and is non-reactive to dogs. Medically Agnes appears to have unspecified dermatitis, but otherwise is apparently healthy.
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Officer Friendly
Officer Friendly is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Officer Friendly is struggling to acclimate in his kennel despite best efforts to keep him comfortable. Officer Friendly will lunge at his kennel door, and jump incessantly off of his door during the day. Officer Friendly is social with staff, but struggling to acclimate. Medically, Officer Friendly is apparently healthy.
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Ghost
Ghost 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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Cherry Garcia
Cherry Garcia is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Cherry Garcia arrived at the Care Center as a stray. Initially upon intake, Cherry Garcia was noted to be somewhat fearful, but social with staff and allowed handling. While Cherry Garcia is easy to be leashed, he is also noted to fixate on random objects on walks, such as trash left behind food, or toys. Earlier in his stay, Cherry Garcia had surgery to remove a foreign body, a toy approximately 5 inches in length. Since then Cherry Garcia has continued to show low threshold for arousal; he scavenges or fixates on random items on walks. This has also caused concern for him to be safely handled. On one occasion, Cherry Garcia fixated on a discarded cup on the street, when the staff member used leash pressure to pull him away, Cherry Garcia head whipped and began mouthing the handler's clothing and limbs with escalating intensity (bruising but no broken skin). Cherry Garcia continues to be highly social with staff and treat motivated. Medically, Cherry Garcia does have cherry eyes.
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Africa
Africa is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Africa in care has been intensely fearful with most staff in the care center, shaking, avoiding interaction and has now began to display reactivity towards strangers that approach her and come close, low growling and barking. Africa has become looser and more social with some familiar staff and volunteers, but struggling to acclimate to her environment. Medically, African has recurring CIRDC highly likely due to high FAS.
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Rhonda
Rhonda is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Rhonda arrived at the Care Centers as a stray and was noted to be fearful during her intake, observed with low growling and baring teeth despite the use of treats and slow approaches to leash her. Despite efforts to keep her comfortable, Rhonda has continued to show highly fearful and potential for defensive escalation. Rhonda has been highly reluctant to allow handling, refusing to exit kennel despite being leashed. Despite multiple attempts by staff and while she does accept treats, she has not warmed up and allowed any handling by staff; consistently displaying tense body, whale eyes, and intermittent growling. Medically, Rhonda is apparently healthy.
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Griffin
Griffin is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Griffin arrived at the Care Centers as an owner surrender. Griffin's previous owner reported that he was injured during an attack by a group of dogs. Since the incident, Griffin has shown increased reactivity, including lunging at both dogs and unfamiliar people. Despite efforts to keep him comfortable at the Care Centers, he has been observed to hard bark and lunge at neighboring dogs, then hard barking at staff he sees in the hallway. He remains fearful in the shelter environment, often balking and refusing to walk unless gently and repeatedly coaxed. When in play-yards Griffin is observed to seek exit, staying by fence-line and gates. His previous owner shared that he enjoys playing tug-of-war and hot potato, chewing on strong toys, rolling in the grass, and going on long walks. He also knows basic cue such as "sit," "lay," and "paw." Medically, Griffin has lyme disease and is overweight.
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Mochi Moo Moo
Mochi Moo Moo is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Despite our best efforts Mochi has been observed to be highly stressed while in care. Noted to be jumping up and down persistently while in kennel and barking towards the neighboring dog. Mochi has also been observed to bang and pounce on the transfer door relatedly. During one instance Mochi was observed to pull towards the neighboring dogs while barking and vocalizing. When the handler pulled him away Mochi began to head whip and attempted to spin towards the handler. While outside with handlers Mochi is observed to be tense with a low tail. Medically, Mochi Moo Moo is apparently healthy.
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Berry
Berry 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 [petting-induced aggression, boredom and frustration, overstimulation, etc.]. 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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Sylvester
Sylvester 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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Rusty
Rusty is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Rusty has not acclimated well to the shelter environment despite the best efforts to keep him comfortable. Rusty has escalated to hard-barking at staff and leads during the initial part of his stay. He has shown intermittent moments of becoming wiggly with select handlers and accepting treats, but he has also escalated to stiffening, grumbling, and then lunging and attempting to bite the back of a handler's leg after being dressed with a collar as they were walking away. He is also beginning to show signs of on-leash reactivity to other dogs during a walk. Medically, Rusty is apparently healthy.
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Julius
Julius is on the at risk list for medical reasons - Julius has had a persistent URI in shelter since he arrived. He has had multiple treatments and diagnostics and his clinical signs remain. He needs follow up with a veterinarian once in a lower stress environment. Behaviorally, Julius is fearful and does not tolerate some medical handling.
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Night
Night is on the at-risk list due to behavior. 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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All Spice
All Spice is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is an under socialized adult cat and is not thriving in the care center. He 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 an under socialized and fearful cat adjust to strangers and new environments.
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Carrot Cake
Carrot Cake is on the at-risk list due to behavior and medical. He is a young cat brought in as a stray and could possibly be an under socialized young adult and is not thriving in the care center. He continues to be reactive and display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Medically, Carrot Cake has ringworm but due to fractious behavior we are unable to treat with lyme dips. 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.
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Stuart Little

Stuart Little has been placed on the At Risk list for medical reasons. He has hip dysplasia and anterior cruciate issues. Therefore, he has pain and lameness in his hindlimbs. At times, he will collapse on his hindquarters. He needs attention that we cannot provide.
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Rain
Rain is at risk due to behavior concerns. She arrived at the care centers as a stray with little known history. However, it was reported that Rain was sedated by ESU with no further details provided. Upon intake she was neutral bodied and allowed handling. Throughout her stay she has been observed to have a tense body, tucked tail, and is avoidant of handlers. Even with a quiet room, in kennel, Rain has progressively deteriorated. She has been observed to pace back and forth at the front, while heavily panting, is reported to be bouncing off her kennel walls, jumping and spinning at her kennel door, along with scratching at it while vocalizing. As of late, staff has reported her to be kennel fighting on the way out of the room, pulling into other kennel rooms, and is reactive to pigeons outside. Medically, she is apparently healthy.
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Philly
Philly 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 [petting-induced aggression, boredom and frustration, overstimulation, etc.]. 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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Onyx Junis
Onyx Jinx 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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Nevada

Nevada is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is an under socialized adult cat and is not thriving in the care center. He 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 an under socialized and fearful cat adjust to strangers and new environments.
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Basil
Basil is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is an under socialized adult cat and is potentially deteriorating in the adoptions rooms, and not thriving in the care center. He continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions, now escalating to more forward escalation and warnings before interactions are begin. 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 an under socialized and fearful cat adjust to strangers and new environments.
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Big Iron
Big Iron is at risk due to behavior concerns. Big Iron was brought in by police after a bite incident. The bite was noted to occur without a known trigger, break skin and required medical attention. Since being at the Care Center, Big Iron has been noted to be warming up with staff; he has allowed petting, solicits further contact with handlers by leaning in, is treat motivated, and walks fairly well on leash. Medically he has C I R D C – Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex
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Pita Chip
Pita Chip 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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Stanford
Stanford is at risk for behavior reasons. Stanford was escalating to higher level warnings, growling, lunging, snapping. She has warmed up with staff and volunteers but has been observed to react towards stranger who approach you on a walk. Because of how quickly she has been observed to escalate she will require an experienced, adult only home. Medically, she allergies with dermatological and gastrointestinal symptoms that have resolved or improved with medical management and HA prescription diet.
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