Visit nycacc.app to
view available boroughbreds!
Once you find an animal you are interested in, click “I’m Interested”
Finish the adoption process at Adopets & fill out the questionnaire.
Come to the Care Center! No appointment needed.*
*Appointments are only needed for small dog adoptions.
All available animals can be viewed in advance on our Adoption Search page.
Our Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island Care Centers are open for adoption!
ACC is proud to have Mobile Adoption Events most weekends! Please see the events page for more details. We might be right in your neighborhood!
To comply with social distancing guidelines, we are using a wait-list system to limit the amount of people in the building at one time. We are asking prospective adopters to have no more than two people in their adoption party. If we are currently at capacity, adopters will be directed to sign up for a waitlist. From there, you will be texted when it is your turn to adopt!
Adoption counselors and volunteers will be on-site to guide you through every step of the adoption process. The adoption process includes filling out an application, having a counseling session, and interacting with the animal you are interested in adopting. You may need to set aside several hours to complete the entire process of interaction and adopting a pet.
At this time, we have kittens (when available), cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and large dogs available for 30 minute adoption browsing. Small dogs are available by appointment only. To adopt a small dog, please click “adopt me” on the profile of the dog you wish to adopt and complete the application. An adoption counselor will be in touch afterwards for the next steps.
To adopt an animal, you will need a valid photo ID, be 18 years of age or older, and bring proof of current address such as a utility bill. ACC reserves the right to decline adoptions in order to find the most appropriate home possible for each animal and to find the best fit for each family looking to adopt.
Please note that rabbit and guinea pig adoptions may require more than one visit to the center so that we can assess your readiness to care for a small animal. Rabbits and Guinea pigs require specialized care, please look over the rabbit / guinea pig care packet to review important information such as diet essentials, health concerns and correct set up/enclosure.
*Please take a picture of your current rabbit or guinea pig set up and supplies to show to the adoptions team
Please note, pets that are currently not spayed or neutered may require an additional deposit of $150. This deposit will be fully refunded once the pet has surgery.
6 months and under:
7 months and over:
Small dogs (under 20 lbs.), 7 months and over:
6 months and under:
7 months to 4 years:
Cats 5 years and over:
Two Kittens:
All ages:
Bonded pair:
All ages:
Bonded pair:
Cat Adoptions Include
Dog Adoptions Include
Included with Your Adoption ACC provides a comprehensive adoption package that includes:
ACC is pleased to waive adoption fees for veterans looking to take pets home. This is an ongoing promotion and is available to all military personnel past and present. The program hopes to attract Veterans who may be looking for a furry companion and who may want to take advantage of the potential benefits of pet ownership.
Animal Care Centers of NYC is proud to offer $25 off adoption fees for all IDNYC cardholders. Learn more about IDNYC and its various benefits here.
ACC is proud to waive adoption fees for seniors looking to add a loyal companion into their home. The Seniors for Seniors promo is open to all adopters 60 years or older and the adopted animal must be at least 6-years old. Click here to view all pets available for adoption - don't forget to filter by age!
Please note, pets that are currently not spayed or neutered may require an additional deposit of $150. This deposit will be fully refunded once the pet has surgery.
6 months and under:
7 months and over:
Small dogs (under 20 lbs.), 7 months and over:
6 months and under:
7 months to 4 years:
Cats 5 years and over:
Two Kittens:
All ages:
Bonded pair:
All ages:
Bonded pair:
Included with Your Adoption ACC provides a comprehensive adoption package that includes:
*NYC residents must purchase $8.50 - $34 dog license
Cat Adoptions Include
Dog Adoptions Include
*NYC residents must purchase $8.50 – $34 dog license
ACC is pleased to waive adoption fees for veterans looking to take pets home.
Animal Care Centers of NYC is proud to offer $25 off adoption fees for all IDNYC cardholders.
Ask about our fee-waived adoption special for seniors looking to add a loyal companion into their home.
As part of our Sniffles promotions, all under-the-weather boroughbreds have their adoption fees waived.
A title given to shelter dogs actively engaged in training and enrichment programs to develop skills that help manage and improve their behavior. Through positive reinforcement, stress-reducing activities, and structured enrichment, our Shelter Scholars learn to regulate their emotions and build confidence—setting them up for success while equipping their future adopters or fosters with the tools to continue their growth.
This dog has no major challenges, has shown a high level of tolerance, and is suitable for almost any adopter.
Dogs with Level 1 determinations are believed to be suitable for the majority of homes. These dogs are not displaying concerning behaviors in the shelter, and the owner surrender profile (where available) is positive.
Some dogs with Level 1 determinations may still have potential challenges, but these are challenges that the behavior team believe can be safely handled by the majority of adopters, and that occurs with fairly low frequency and intensity.
Dogs with Level 2 determinations are believed to be suitable for adopters with some previous dog experience. They will have displayed behavior in the shelter (or have owner-reported behavior) that requires some training, behavior management or modification.
Dogs with a Level 2 determination may have multiple potential challenges and these may be presenting at differing levels of intensity, so careful consideration of the behavior notes will be required for counseling.
This dog will need to go to a home with experienced adopters, and we suggest that the adopter have prior experience with the challenges described and/or an understanding of the challenge and how to manage it safely in a home environment.
Dogs with Level 3 determinations will need to go to homes with experienced adopters, and we strongly suggest that the adopter have prior experience with the challenges described and/or an understanding of the challenge and how to manage it safely in a home environment. In many cases, we recommend consultation with a qualified, force-free, reward-based trainer in the future home. Some of the challenges seen at Level 3 are also seen at Level 1 and Level 2, but may be seen at a greater frequency and higher intensity.
Behavior challenges at Level 4 are seen at a higher frequency and intensity than the other dogs in our care. We strongly suggest adopters have prior experience with the challenges described and have an understanding of safe, lifelong management of these behaviors in a home.
Dogs with Level 4 determinations will need to go to homes with experienced adopters. The behavior challenges seen at Level 4 are seen at a much greater frequency and higher intensity than the other dogs in our care. We strongly suggest adopters have prior experience with the challenges described; have the ability to provide the dog with a sufficient quality of life and with an environment in which they can succeed; and have an understanding of safe, lifelong management of these behaviors in a home. Thorough counseling with the Behavior Department is highly recommended prior to any interaction or adoption. Consultation with a force-free, reward-based trainer in a future home is also strongly advised.
This assessment will aim to provide information for adopters, New Hope Partners and all members of the public about cats’ behavior both in the shelter environment, as well as in a home when that information is available. The assessment is based on 4 Levels for adoptable cats, as well as New Hope Only. Within each of the 4 Levels there may be potential challenges that the behavior team have identified with that cat, and these should be discussed with potential adopters or groups to give as much information as possible on the cats’ behavior. For many cats there will be an accompanying training or behavior modification plan that can go home with the cat to try to ensure a successful adoption or placement.
No major challenges, high level of tolerance, affectionate, suitable for any type of adopter.
Cats with Level 1 determinations are suitable for the majority of homes. These cats are not displaying concerning behaviors in shelter, and the owner surrender profile (where available) is positive. Some cats with Level 1 determinations may still have potential challenges, but these are challenges that the behavior team believe can be handled by the majority of adopters. Of these potential challenges some are actually recommendations for their future home environment (no young children/other pets, etc.) while others pertain to observed or reported behaviors (high activity level, excessive meowing, and carrier aversion)
A cat that appears to behave like a cat, may have some low-intensity behavior challenges or mild triggers but overall suitable for most adopters, provided they have a basic understanding of typical cat behavior.
Cats with Level 2 determinations will be suitable for adopters with some previous cat experience. These cats may not initiate attention right away and may take some time to warm up to people, but they allow all petting and handling. We may not recommend a first-time adopter for these cats, but recommend someone with minimal experience. Prior experience with the particular challenges a cat is presenting with is beneficial but not necessary.
Cats with a Level 2 determination may have multiple potential challenges and these may be presenting at differing levels of intensity, so careful consideration of the behavior notes will be required for counseling. Potential challenges at Level 2 include no young children, no dogs, no other cats, and single pet home, overstimulation, inappropriate elimination without modification attempt, very high activity level, and rough play. These behaviors may require management but overall the cat is displaying behavior appropriate for cat parents with an average amount of experience.
These cats may be a little more challenging to live with and/or may be slow to adjust to new situations, but we still believe will be successful pets with adopters who have some previous cat experience and/or are up for the challenge and show openness to counseling.
Cats with Level 3 determinations will need to go to homes with experienced adopters. These cats usually display signs of fear and will need time to warm up to their new home and family or they are social cats with potential challenges that require someone with a general understanding of the specific challenge. It is likely that every cat with a Level 3 determination will have flyers available that discuss the behaviors and how to safely manage them. Some of the challenges seen at Level 3 are also seen at Level 1 and Level 2, but when seen alongside a Level 3 determination can be assumed to be more severe. The potential challenges for Level 3 determinations include adult only home, single pet home, socialization, overstimulation, pet-induced aggression, litter box issues, fearful behavior, rough play, and bite/scratch history.
Based on history these cats are great pets but are really struggling in the shelter environment, suitable for adopters with previous cat experience and who are willing to take a chance on a cat who really needs to get into a home.
Cats with Level 4 determinations are displaying distance-increasing behavior in shelter and will escalate to bite and/or scratch to avoid interaction, however their owner surrender notes describe normal cat behaviors in a home environment. These cats can be made available to the public, provided the adopter understands the behaviors seen in the care center are likely shelter-specific based on the reports from the previous home. The adopter will need to have experience with fearful cats and their potential challenges. We should still be seeking New Hope placement for these cats, but they now have another placement option available.
Dogs with a New Hope Only determination have shown behaviors that pose a higher level of risk if not carefully managed. We believe these dogs require immediate intervention, a behavior modification plan, evaluation, and thorough counseling from a force-free, reward-based trainer or a veterinary behaviorist before placement into a permanent home.
The New Hope Only determination will be essentially the same as before. NHO cats are considered by the behavior team to be unsafe or unable to be successfully placed directly into an adoptive home for a variety of reasons.
