Adopt an Animal NOT on AC&C Website

Instructions for Adopting

If you have decided to adopt an animal that you saw in an Urgent album but that is not on the ACC website, then you must call and email the shelter to express interest as time is even more critical.

If you are trying to save an animal in one of the Urgent albums that does NOT appear on the ACC website, please read the special instructions below. The shelter releases their daily list by 6 PM. Urgent then updates the albums as soon as possible. The ACC closes to the public at 8 PM but reopens at 8 AM. Rescues and adopters have until NOON the following day to reserve or pull an animal.

Contact the Shelter

If you are a serious ADOPTER and ONLY if you are able to go to the shelter in person, you can adopt directly from the shelter. This includes long distance applicants but you must appear in person. You MUST call the ACC AND email them.

Your email must include the following:

1. SUBJECT Line: Enter animal ID # and the shelter location (e.g. A01234567 MACC/BACC/SI)
2. Your email address and phone numbers where they can reach you
3. Explain to them that the animal is on the ACC euthanasia list for the next morning (if it’s in the TBD album) and that you would like to foster or adopt

You must send your email to: [email protected]

You must also call the shelter’s automated phone system and follow the prompts at 212-788-4000. Note: They do NOT answer the phone. You must follow the prompts.

What if it’s after 8 PM?

Between 8PM and 8AM, the shelter is closed to the public. Only an approved rescue group can call and place a hold during that time. Your only alternative is to start calling the shelter after 8AM the next day. They start destroying at NOON and do NOT answer the phones (it’s an automated system)…. The odds of the animal surviving are NOT good. Please work with the approved New Hope rescue groups.

Fake Adoptions get Animals Killed

Do NOT call and say you are adopting unless you truly intend on physically going to the shelter to adopt the animal. This is considered a “fake adoption” hold and that is how animals fall through the cracks and end up being killed.

Shelter staff will note the animal’s file that an adopter is en route which will prevent an actual adopter from saving the dog. Even if you have the best of intentions of “buying an animal more time”, don’t do it. Good intentions or not, this may just get the animal killed. Shelter staff need every free second of their time to respond to calls, assist actual adopters, process intakes, and care for the animals. Thank you.