Frequently Asked Questions

For more informations please click on the question below.
  1. I can't keep my pet. Can you help me?
  2. I am on a fixed income and cannot afford to have my pet spayed/neutered.  Can you help?
  3. What if I am not on public assistance and would like to have my pet spayed or neutered?
  4. What do I do if I am receiving public assistance or low income and need help with my pet?
  5. I just added a new family member to my household and now I need a Veterinarian. I want to provide preventative care for my pet, can you help me? I am not a low income recipient nor do I receive public assistance.
  6. What is the difference between a No-Kill shelter and a Full Service shelter?
  7. I surrendered my pet to AC&C and now I want him/her back. What do I do?
  8. How long before animals are put to sleep (euthanized)? 
  9. There are stray cats running all over my property.  Can you come out and pick them up?
  10. A cat ran up into a tree and can’t come down.  What can I do to help it?
  11. What can be done about owned, aggressive, animals being allowed to roam freely off a leash?   I’m afraid for my children and pets. 
  12. Do you pick up dead animals? 
  13. Do you pick up rats?  We are infested in my neighborhood.
  14. Do you pick up raccoons/opossums?  Everyday I see them in my yard, on my roof, turning over garbage cans, etc.  I also see them during the day.
  15. Do you pick up pigeons, seagulls, or squirrels?
  16. I saw a seal sitting on the rocks at the beach.  He needs help.  What can I do?
  17. Who is responsible for rescuing injured swans that are out in the ocean?
  18. I want to purchase a NYC dog license.  Where can I get the application?
  19. Do you have groomers on staff?

 

I. can’t keep my pet.  Can you help me?

Animal Care & Control (AC&C) is committed to helping you keep your pet.  We partnered with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to offer the “Pets for Life” program so that we can help pet owners.  Pets for Life is an owner surrender program that provides assistance and alternative solutions to NYC pet owners that are considering relinquishing their pets because of problems such as pet behavioral issues, allergies with a family member, landlord-tenant issues, pet illness etc.  Before you give up your pet please call 917-468-2938 to talk to a "Pets for Life" representative.  If you leave a voice message, please provide your name, contact number, and a brief summary of your problem.  A “Pets for Life” representative will return your call as soon as possible.  You can also visit the website at www.humanesociety.org .

If "Pets for Life" was unable to resolve your problem and you want to surrender your pet, you can bring your pet to one of our care center facilities (click on location). The fee for owner surrendered pets for adoptions is $35 per animal. The fee for a euthanasia requests is $75 per animal. This is payable at the time you bring your pet to the care center. In addition to the fee, you must bring picture Id. We ask that you be prepared to leave a "pet profile" e.g. my pet likes children, sleeps with a blanket, does not like uniforms, etc. Completing the pet profile will enable us to place the pet in a home best suited for him/her.

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2. I am on a fixed income and cannot afford to have my pet spayed/neutered.  Can you help?

If you are receiving any type of public assistance and can provide proof, call -1-877-SPAY-NYC or visit the ASPCA’s website at www.aspca.org to find out the nearest location and instructions for having your pet spayed or neutered for free.  You can also contact the TOBY project.  Click here for more information www.thetobyproject.org

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3. What if I am not on public assistance and would like to have my pet spayed or neutered?

If you are receiving any type of public assistance, call -1-877-SPAY-NYC or visit the ASPCA’s website at www.aspca.org to find out the nearest location and instructions for having your pet spayed or neutered for $99.00. For a list of our shelter locations and hours:  http://nycacc.org/location.htm

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4. What do I do if I am receiving public assistance or low income and need help with my pet?

If you need help in the following areas:

Medical Attention e.g. your pet is sick, needs a check up and/or vaccinations, etc.

Boarding e.g. moving and need a place to board your pet until you find a place that allows pets, family emergency, etc.

Behavior Training – e.g. won’t use the litter pan, pulls when I am walking, pet cries when you leave the house, fights with your other pets, does not listen to you, etc.

Landlord problems – he is making me give up my pet and I don’t want to.  He is going to evict me because of my pet. This includes NYCHA.

Spay/Neuter Surgery

Pets for Life may help you resolve your problem. Call 917-468-2938, if a machine comes on leave your name, contact info and the reason for your call and someone will get back to you shortly.  For more information, you can also visit their website at (click here).

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5.I just added a new family member to my household and now I need a Veterinarian. I want to provide preventative care for my pet, can you help me? I am not a low income recipient nor do I receive public assistance.

AC&C does not offer out-patient care or any type of medical services.  You can search on the internet or look through the Yellow Pages for a Veterinarian in your area. 
6. What is the difference between a No-Kill shelter and a Full Service shelter?
In order to address the overpopulation problem in our community we need No-Kill (limited intake) facilities and Full Service facilities working together.  A Full Service organization accepts any animal that comes to its door no matter it’s medical or behavior condition.  As a result, decisions about placements are often based on resources and space availability and the health and temperament of the animals.  Limited intake facilities accept animals based on resources and space up front and as a result, certain animals will not be accepted into their program.

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7. I surrendered my pet to AC&C and now I want him/her back. What do I do?
Owners who surrendered their pets to AC&C have relinquished ownership rights.  If you signed your pet over to AC&C and wish to reclaim, you must visit the care center where you surrendered your pet.   There is no guarantee your pet will be returned to you or will still be available.  AC&C will evaluate the reason you surrendered the pet and the pet’s evaluation which is a general medical and behavior evaluation.

When you come to the care center bring the following with you:

  • Picture Id
  • Proof of your address
  • The AC&C signed Intake Release form given to you at the time you surrendered your pet.
  • If the reason you surrendered your pet was for animal related medical reasons, please provide proof of how you will have this pet treated. 
  • If you surrendered your pet for Landlord reasons, you must provide proof that you are allowed to have a pet.  This proof must be on a letterhead from Management. 

If you have to adopt the pet, you must go to the Adoption Department.  This involves completing an adoption questionnaire.  AC&C reserves the right to decline an adoption. If you are approved for adoption, the Adoption fee range is from $25 to $150. This does not include a NYC Dog License, pet carriers, or any other services provided to you.  These fees are additional.  If it is a cat we offer a Felv/Fiv combo test for $20.    

If you are told AC&C will return the animal to you, there are fees to reclaim your pet.  These fees may vary based on the time your pet has been in the shelter and differ from the general fees.

General Fees for Dogs

Fees (includes reclaim, a medical exam, vaccinations, microchip, deworming, spay/neuter surgery, and a NYC dog license).

Redemption - $3.00
Medical Exam - $15.00
Microchip - $20.00
Surgery - $50.00
Rabies Vaccination - $10.00
Bordatella - $10.00
DA2PP - $10.00
Dewormer - $8.00
NYC Dog License for an altered dog - $8.50
NYC Dog License for an unaltered dog - $11.50

Total - $134.50 for an altered dog and $137.50 for an unaltered dog.

*Note – If your pet cannot be altered at the time of reclaim, on a case by case basis, it will be determined if you can take your pet home or it must remain at the center. 

If you are authorized to bring the animal home, there will be an additional fee of $100 for a spay/neuter deposit.  This is to ensure you will bring your pet back for surgery. The $100 SIN deposit will be refunded provided you bring your pet back within 60 days.

General Fees for Cats 

Fees (includes reclaim, a medical exam, vaccinations, microchip, deworming, and a spay/neuter surgery).

Redemption - $3.00
Medical Exam - $15.00
Microchip - $20.00
Surgery - $40.00
FVRCP - $10.00
Rabies Vaccination - $10.00
Dewormer - $8.00

Total - $106.00

*Note – If your pet cannot be altered at the time of reclaim, on a case by case basis, it will be determined if you can take your pet home or it must remain at the center. 

If you are authorized to bring your pet home, there will be an additional fee of $100 for a spay/neuter deposit.  This is to ensure you will bring your pet back for surgery. The $100 SIN deposit will be refunded provided you bring your pet back within 60 days.

General Fees for Exotic Pets
Redemption - $3.00 
Medical Exam - $15.00

Total - $18.00

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8. How long before animals are put to sleep (euthanized)?
There is no specific time period we hold animals.  AC&C rescues 43,000 animals per year.  We are also an “open admissions shelter” meaning we don’t close our doors to newly arriving animals when we are full.  If someone brings an animal to our shelter we are required by law to take it in.  Therefore, we must always have room for the dogs and cats that are in need of rescue.  During the winter months, when intake of animals is slightly lower, we can hold animals for longer periods of time than we can during the very busy summer months. 

Many animals are placed but the ones who are not, usually due to illness and behavior may be humanely euthanized.  However, the euthanasia of animals is not acceptable to us and we will continue to work hard placing animals until one day all adoptable and sick but treatable animals are in loving homes.

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9.There are stray cats running all over my property.  Can you come out and pick them up?
AC&C picks up cats that are injured, abandoned, bit/scratched, or an animal cruelty. We accept cats that are contained at our care centers. The hours of operation is daily (except major holidays) from 8 am to 8 pm at the Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island Care Centers. The Bronx facility is open on Tuesday and Saturday from 8 am to 4 pm, you must arrive by 3:30 pm for processing. The Queens facility is open on Wednesday from 8 am to 4 pm; you must arrive by 3:30 pm for processing. See location addresses (click here). An appointment is not necessary. Please bring in Id and there is no charge.

Alternative Solution
AC&C recognizes that free-roaming cats are an issue in our community and is committed to effectively and humanely controlling the problem.  Are you familiar with Trap Neuter and Release (TNR) program?  Various long term studies have shown that TNR is effective in stopping the breeding of cats in the wild and reducing the population over time.  Through TNR, cats are humanely trapped and sterilized.  Feral cats (not socialized with humans) are unadoptable and will be placed back into the environment in which they were living.  Volunteer caretakers then provide food, water, and clean, unobtrusive shelters for the cats.  Tame, adoptable cats are adopted into new homes.  If you want more information about the TNR programs you can contact Neighborhood Cats at (212) 662-5761 or www.neighborhoodcats.org , NYC Feral Cat Initiative (212-330-0033 or www.nycferalcat.org ) or go online and enter Trap Neuter Release and press search for various organizations that provide TNR. 

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10.A cat ran up into a tree and can’t come down.  What can I do to help it?
If cats can get up into a tree they can usually get down.  Cats can remain up a tree for up to seven days and on occasion longer.  Do not call it or attempt to try and climb up the tree; you may frighten it and cause it to go up higher.  Leave the area for approximately one hour to see if he/she comes down on his/her own.  If he does not, place food at the base of the tree and leave the area.  If cat food does not work, try a can of Tuna (cats love it).  Leave the area to give the cat time to smell the food and make its way down.  If the cat doesn’t seem like it can make its way down on its own please call 311. 

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11. What can be done about owned, aggressive, animals being allowed to roam freely off a leash?   I’m afraid for my children and pets.
All dogs must be on leash no longer than six (6) feet in length according to the Health Code of NYC.  Have you tried speaking directly to the dog’s owner and shared your concerns and asked him/her to keep their pet on a leash?  If they have not complied, try contacting your local precinct (not 911) and call 311 and state that you would like to make an “unleashed dog” complaint.  Before you make this call be sure to have the owner’s name, address, and an explanation regarding why you are making the complaint.  311 will forward your complaint to the appropriate City agency for follow up. 

If you witness a dog being aggressive or biting someone, please call 911 immediately.

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12. Do you pick up dead animals?
We are sorry for your loss. You can bring your deceased pet to one of our care centers for disposal of the body.  There is a small fee of $25 for the service.  If you are not able to bring your deceased pet to one of our care centers, you are advised to wrap your pet in a black garbage bag (please double bag) and affix a sign on the bag which reads “deceased animal inside”, and place the bag outside for Sanitation to pick up. 

If you find a deceased animal on the street, sidewalk, and/or highway, call 311 and give the exact location where the animal is located.  311 will transfer you to the appropriate agency to make arrangements for pick up.  There is no charge if you choose to bring the deceased animal into one of the care centers.          

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13. Do you pick up rats?  We are infested in my neighborhood.
If you are experiencing a rat infestation problem in your home or neighborhood, contact 311.  Be sure you have the location information available.  311 will take a report and transfer it to the appropriate City agency.   

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14. Do you pick up raccoons/opossums?  Everyday I see them in my yard, on my roof, turning over garbage cans, etc.  I also see them during the day.
Raccoons can thrive in urban areas because of the amount of food available.  The presence of raccoons around homes in New York City is not unusual and we encourage all New Yorkers to try to live in harmony and appreciate raccoons and other wildlife. Raccoons usually live in dens and hollow trees, but in urban areas they may also live in garages, roof tops, abandoned buildings, rock piles, fireplaces, chimneys, hollow walls, attics, or beneath sewer drains.  If a raccoon has taken up residency in or around a home, it is recommended that homeowners consult a wildlife trapper licensed by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.  Please do not attempt to trap a raccoon. 

Raccoons are attracted to properties where food is available.  Homeowners can take steps to discourage raccoons and other wildlife from taking up residence around their homes by following guidelines: 

  • Do not feed pets outside.
  • Purchase raccoon-proof garbage cans or put a weight on the lids of other garbage cans.
  • Do not leave bags of garbage on the ground.

The presence of a raccoon/opossum or other wild animal in the daytime does not mean the animal has rabies.  If an animal appears healthy and is spotted during the day, it may be unable to return to its den or is looking for food.  Healthy wildlife, especially raccoons, may look for food in the twilight hours.  It is not unusual to see a raccoon/opossum at dusk or dawn.  If left alone, healthy wildlife will eventually return to their dens once they feel safe. 

For further information, contact DEC at 718-482-4922 or online at www.dec.ny.gov .

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15. Do you pick up pigeons, seagulls, or squirrels?
We will accept pigeons, gulls, starlings, sparrows or squirrels at any of our care center facilities click here for locations. If you have a constant problem in your neighborhood you can contact the Department of Environmental Conservation at 718-482-4922 for assistance or online at www.dec.ny.gov .

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16. I saw a seal sitting on the rocks at the beach.  He needs help.  What can I do?
Reports of beached, sick, or stranded marine animals such as seals, turtles, dolphins and whales should be referred to the Riverhead Foundation at 631-369-9829 or visit their website at www.riverheadfoundation.org .

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17. Who is responsible for rescuing injured swans that are out in the ocean?
You can contact the Department of Environmental Conservation at 718-482-4922 or their website www.dec.ny.gov   or contact the Coast Guard www.gocoastguard.com for assistance.   

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18. I want to purchase a NYC dog license. Where can I get the application?
You can call 311 for an application or download one from their website or click here for register online in order to purchase a new dog license or renew an existing dog license  OR you can visit one of our care centers and obtain a NYC dog license application.  We are not able to process the application for you; you must mail it to the address on the application.  The license fee is $8.50 for altered animals and $11.50 for unaltered animals.  You must provide proof of the rabies certificate and if your animal was altered you must provide proof of the Spay/Neuter certificate if you want the discount of paying only $8.50 for an altered dog

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19. Do you have groomers on staff?
To find a groomer in your neighborhood, search the internet or yellow pages. 

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