Adoptions and Foster Opportunities - Animal Welfare

Office of Animal Welfare


Adoptions and Foster Opportunities

Evictions
Outdoor Cats and TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return)
Adoptions and Foster Opportunities

Evictions

Outdoor Cats and TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return)

Adoptions and Foster Opportunities


Animal Adoption

Adopting is a great way to welcome a companion animal into your family, provide a home for an animal in need, and help animal shelters.

You can find wonderful cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs at Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), which has adoption centers in Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island* and holds adoption events across the city.

ACC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization contracted to serve as the City's open-admissions animal-shelter system, and is constantly taking in new animals from across the five boroughs. When you adopt an animal from ACC, you're adopting a "Boroughbred!"

ACC waives adoption fees for veterans, as well as for adults 60+ adopting an animal who is at least six years old. IDNYC cardholders receive a $25 discount.

Many animals available for adoption have experience living with families, and were surrendered due to issues affecting their humans, such as financial challenges, housing problems, and allergies.

Animals are also available for adoption from other shelters and rescue groups:

ACC works with many other organizations and posts a list of their "New Hope" partners

The Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals—a nonprofit that is separate from the Mayor's Office—maintains a list of organizations in the NYC area

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, with which organizations offering animals available for adoption in New York are required to register, lists registered rescues and shelters by county

*Brooklyn and Bronx Animal Care Centers, which will include adoption centers, are currently under construction!

Fostering Animals

If you're not in a position to adopt but are interested in caring for a companion animal temporarily (could be just a few weeks!) consider fostering. You'll get to hang out with a fun friend for a bit, while making a big difference for animals.

Many organizations in New York City, including ACC, have foster programs. You can sign up for an ACC foster orientation on ACC's foster page.
Additional foster (and other animal-related volunteer) opportunities may be posted at NYC Service.