Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) offers compassion and understanding to owners who must relinquish their pets and a warm welcome to those animals that are being entrusted to our care. Before beginning the process of surrendering your pet, please check out the following surrender prevention options.
Surrender Prevention Options
ACC’s goal is to work with pet owners, empowering you to take an active role in determining the best outcome for your pets. ACC takes in over 25,000 animals every year, trying to find homes for as many as possible. You likely have just one, giving you the unique ability to focus your efforts and attention on him or her. Here are some tips for ensuring your pet goes to a safe new home: Rehoming Packet (PDF) – view online, or download and print.
The easiest way to rehome your pet is to promote your animal for adoption online. Before scheduling an appointment, visit the following websites to get your pet adopted without the stress of being in a shelter environment.
Other Placement Options
ACC also has other options for pet owners who can no longer keep their pets but are reluctant to surrender them to a shelter. Through our deferred intakes program, ACC is able to seek placement for your animal while he or she remains in the comfort of your home. We are also able to match certain types of pets directly with private rescue organizations that may be interested in receiving them. To utilize one of these options, please call our Care Centers at 212-788-4000.
Owner Support
Through the ACC Admissions Department and agreements with partnering organizations, ACC is able to offer a variety of resources to assist pet owners in keeping their pets. Resources include:
- Reduced or free routine veterinary care, including spay/neuter
- Funding for emergency veterinary care
- Behavior advice and trainer referrals
- Supplies (food, litter, harness, etc.)
- Assistance with tenant/landlord disputes, including NYCHA issues
- Assistance for individuals entering DHS temporary housing
- Assistance for military deployment
- Assistance for pet owners that are hospitalized, incarcerated, escaping domestic violence, or experiencing similar situations
To find out if ACC can help support you in keeping your pet, please please call our Care Centers at 212-788-4000 and let us know about your situation.
Surrendering Your Pet
If after utilizing our resources you are still in need of surrender services please fill out this questionnaire. An admissions counselor will contact you as soon as possible. Please understand that we are currently experiencing overpopulation and illness in our shelters. Based on this, it is in your pet’s best interest to stay in your home as long as you are able to keep and utilize our rehoming tools.
Wait for our call. This is important. Though we know you may feel you have to surrender your pet right away, ACC works very hard to ensure that we have the time and space for new animals before they come in. Bringing your pet in without an appointment can result in stress for your pet, a longer stay in the shelter, and may even negatively affect his or her chances of being placed. Without an appointment wait times will vary and may be extensive. There will also be a fee incurred if you show up to a shelter without an appointment. In the event of an emergency, please call our Care Centers at 212-788-4000 and let us know about your situation.