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This is Where You Can Adopt Animals in the NYC Area

This is Where You Can Adopt Animals in the NYC Area

Visit one of these animal shelters near New York City to adopt a new family pet.


Thinking about adopting an animal this year? Once you've decided on what pet your family should get, head to one of these animal shelters in the New York metro area. Many of them are still open, though adoption processes may have changed and many locations are only open by appointment. These shelters in and near New York City offer dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, bunnies, guinea pigs, and more. So make an appointment, meet the animals, and welcome a new member of the family! As with all things during the coronavirus pandemic, please contact the location to ensure animal adoptions are available.

RELATED: Pet Stores in and Around NYC 

Animal Shelters in Manhattan 

Animal Care Centers of NYC
11 Park Place, Suite 805, Downtown Manhattan
212-788-4000
The Animal Care Centers of NYC strive to find loving homes for homeless and abandoned cats, dogs, and rabbits, both by adopting animals directly to the public and by partnering with more than 200 dedicated animal placement organizations. Their field services division responds to calls from the public to help keep NYC communities safe and rescue animals in need, and they have facilities in all five boroughs.
What you need to know: ACC is open to the public by appointment; face masks and social distancing required 

Animal Haven Shelter
200 Centre St., Lower Manhattan
212-274-8511
Operating hours currently by appointment only; closed Mondays.
Animal Haven is a nonprofit organization that finds homes for abandoned cats and dogs throughout the tri-state area and provides behavior intervention when needed to improve chances of adoption. Founded in 1967, it also provides programs that enhance the bond between animals and people.
What you need to know: Animal Haven Shelter is currently processing applications remotely and cannot accommodate walk-in appointments; by appointment only.

ASPCA Adoption Center (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
424 E. 92nd St., Upper East Side
212-876-7700 x4120
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected under the law. The ASPCA’s mission is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”
What you need to know: Out of an abundance of caution related to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis across NYC, the ASPCA Adoption Center and Kitten Nursery are temporarily closed to the public. However, it is offering remote adoptions in the New York City area

Bideawee
410 E. 38th St., Murray Hill
844-568-3738
Located in Murray Hill, Bideawee has found loving homes for rescued animals since 1903. Bideawee’s mission is to be Greater New York’s leader in rescuing, caring for, and placing homeless cats and dogs with people who love them.
What you need to know: The adoption center is temporarily closed; once Bideawee’s matchmakers have helped you find the perfect pet, adoption requirements can be found here.

Bunnies and Beyond
1107 Broadway, #101, Flatiron
Monday-Friday, 6-8pm; Saturday-Sunday, 2-5pm
Located at PetSmart in Flatiron, Bunnies and Beyond is an adoption and educational nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, proper care, and ultimately, the adoption of rabbits and guinea pigs commonly kept as pets. Its goal is to find permanent indoor homes for these animals that have been abandoned or surrendered to the NYC Animal Care Center, providing medical care and a foster home as needed prior to adoption.
What you need to know: All PetSmart rabbits have been temporarily relocated to foster homes until the outbreaks are over; adoptions are still available. 

City Critter
Located at Petco, 911 Second Ave., Turtle Bay
212-593-7213
Located at PetSmart, 632 Broadway, Noho
212-475-0893
City Critters has continuously served NYC's animals in need—through weather events, blackouts, the coronavirus pandemic, and more. It has created a contactless interview and application process, and it brings the cats to their new homes via curbside service, all the while adhering to thorough application review standards.
What you need to know: Due to the pandemic, City Critters representatives and volunteers are currently not showing animals for adoption at the usual locations and will not do so until public showings can be made truly safe for our volunteers and cats. The organization is successfully placing cats into loving homes and is always seeking to build its foster home network.

The Humane Society of New York
306 E. 59th St., Midtown East
212-752-4842
For over 100 years, the Humane Society of New York has cared for animals in need when illness, injury, or homelessness strikes. Today its hospital and Vladimir Horowitz and Wanda Toscanini Horowitz Adoption Center help more than 38,000 dogs and cats annually, and the numbers continue to grow.
What you need to know: The adoption department is currently closed to public; adoptions are by appointment only. 

Muddy Paws Rescue
You can visit animals at adoption events
646-598-7297
Muddy Paws Rescue is a New York City-based nonprofit organization working to save the lives of thousands of dogs in need through foster-based care, advocacy, and community outreach. 

Social Tees Animal Rescue
443 E. 9th St., East Village
212-614-9653
Social Tees Animal Rescue is a foster based nonprofit organization in the East Village that takes abandoned animals from shelters where they are at risk of euthanasia and provides them with safe haven and veterinary care before placing them in proper forever homes.
What you need to know: It does not have regular hours; adoptions are by appointment. Dogs and cats are not kept onsite; they all are in foster homes. Those interested can see who’s up for adoption here. More COVID-19 protocol can be found here.

2000 Spays and Neuters
Petco, at 92nd Street and Broadway, Upper West Side
2,000 Spays and Neuters is a nonprofit organization that was established to neuter, spay, vaccinate, provide emergency care and find homes for 2,000 stray dogs and cats.
What you need to know: It shows cats that are up for adoption on Sundays and Wednesdays, 3-6pm.

Animal Shelters in Brooklyn

A Tail at a Time
238 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn Heights
A Tail at a Time is a no-kill pet rescue organization committed to finding permanent loving homes for abandoned domestic animals in New York City.
What you need to know: Contact [email protected] to meet cats in foster homes.

AMA Animal Rescue
2815 Cropsey Ave., Bath Beach
347-448-5944
Angels for Mistreated Animals (AMA) is a foster-based animal rescue organization. The organization’s mission has always been to safeguard animals who have experienced the most severe cases of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. The organization’s long-term goal is to open a true no-kill animal sanctuary with high quality, in-house veterinary services as well as clean, spacious enclosures and outdoor space. 

Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC)
2336 Linden Blvd., East New York
212-788-4000
Individuals from all over New York City come to Animal Care Centers each and every day for reasons as diverse as reclaiming lost pets, adopting new furry family members, or getting resources to help them keep their pets in homes.
What do you need to know: ACC is open to the public by appointment.

Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue
Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue is a nonprofit, all-breed dog rescue composed of a network of fosters and volunteers who work together to rescue sweet, loving, adoptable dogs from high kill, rural shelters in the southern U.S. and get them adopted into wonderful forever homes.
What you need to know: Email [email protected] for adoption inquiries.

Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC) Shelter
697 Grand St., #921, Williamsburg
718-486-7940
Adoption Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 12-4pm
BARC’s mission is to provide a safe haven for abandoned animals and to find permanent loving homes for them. The organization provides animals with quality food, shelter, medical attention, and the love they deserve.
What you need to know: Adoptions are by appointment only; no walk-ins or drop-ins.

Hearts & Bones Animal Rescue
Heart & Bones’ mission is to build a nationwide network of fosters, volunteers, rescue partners, and adopters in an effort to save the lives of shelter dogs in need and unite them with loving forever families. As a foster-based rescue, the organization is focused on providing all of its dogs with secure and loving foster homes while they wait for their forever families.
What you need to know: The rescue holds virtual adoption meetings. Contact [email protected] for adoption inquiries.

Animal Shelters in Queens

Bobbi and the Strays
80-36 Cooper Ave., Glendale
718-326-6070
Bobbi and the Strays, a nonprofit, no-kill organization, rescues and provides essential care for orphaned, stray, abused, and special needs cats and dogs. Through rehabilitation, socialization, and adoption, the organization provides a humane service to all animals that come into its care.
What you need to know: It’s temporarily closed to the general public until further notice. The adoption process has changed; to request an Adoption Application by emailing [email protected].

Loving Touch
Flushing
917-285-2126
Loving Touch is a nonprofit, all-volunteer rescue group based in Flushing. The organization’s mission is to help homeless animals find a better way of life and to help find new homes for pets that owner's can no longer keep.

Second Chance Rescue NYC
Whitestone
Second Chance Rescue NYC’s mission is to reduce animal overpopulation in shelters, rescue and rehabilitate critically injured and neglected animals, and connect the community to services that enable animals to remain in their homes.

Animal Shelters on Long Island

All About Pets Rescue
600 Middle Country Road, Selden
631-576-9178
All About Pets Rescue, Inc. began in 2017 with one ambition: to help rescue animals. This nonprofit volunteer organization rescues unwanted and abandoned animals, and prepares them for adoption.

Almost Home Animal Rescue and Adoption
646 Medford Ave., Patchogue
631-627-3665
Almost Home is comprised of many dedicated and compassionate volunteers with the common goal of rescuing and rehoming unwanted and abandoned animals from private homes and municipal shelters and placing them into loving and responsible homes.
What you need to know: Masks must be worn in the facility.

Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons
124 Daniels Hole Road, East Hampton
631-537-0400
The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons actively rescues cats and dogs, provides quality care, and offers sanctuary until loving homes can be found.
What you need to know: The ARF Adoption Center is open by appointment and is conducting adoptions by appointment only.

Bideawee Westhampton
118 Old Country Road, Westhampton
631-684-0079
The matchmakers at the Adoption Centers at Bideawee have been matching pets with people for more than 117 years! Every matchmaker knows the personalities and needs of each animal in its care. 

Brookhaven Animal Shelter
300 Horseblock Road, Brookhaven
631-451-6950
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-3:30pm; Saturday, 10am-3:30pm; Sunday, 11am- 3:30pm
The Brookhaven Animal Shelter & Adoption Center staff is dedicated to helping the homeless pets in their township. The Animal Shelter and Adoption Center rely heavily on their community to help get their animals adopted.
What you need to know: Public access to the shelter is limited. 

Bobbi and the Strays
2 Rider Place, Freeport
516-378-4340
Bobbi and the Strays, a nonprofit, no-kill organization, rescues and provides essential care for orphaned, stray, abused, and special needs cats and dogs. Through rehabilitation, socialization, and adoption, the organization provides a humane service to all animals that come into our care.
What you need to know: It’s temporarily closed to general public until further notice. The adoption process has changed, so email [email protected] to request an Adoption Application if interested.



Cove Animal Rescue
40 Shore Road, Glen Cove
516-676-5913
Cove Animal Rescue is a Long Island animal rescue organization, working toward helping the animals of the City of Glen Cove.
What you need to know: It’s open by appointment only; visitors must bring masks and wear at all times.

Forgotten Friends of Long Island Animal Rescue
Plainview
516-719-0808
Forgotten Friends of Long Island Animal Rescue is dedicated to the rescue of companion animals left in municipal shelters for an extended period of time, overlooked by both the general public and other rescue groups.
What you need to know: Animals can be seen by appointment only; to book an appointment, message Forgotten Friends on Facebook or email at [email protected].

Hopkins Cat Rescue
111 E. Sunrise Highway, Freeport
516-379-2287
Hours: Daily, 11am-6pm
Hopkins Cat Rescue, founded by a mother-daughter veterinary duo, strives to rescue, provide medical attention, and find forever homes for as many cats as possible. 

Islip Animal Shelter and Adopt-A-Pet Center
210 S. Denver Ave., Bay Shore
631-224-5660
The Islip Animal Shelter and Adopt-a-Pet Center is a shelter to stray or abandoned animals, as well as a temporary home to adoptable pets.
What you need to know: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption procedures have changed. New information regarding these changes can be found here.

Kent Animal Shelter
2259 River Road, Calverton
631-727-5731
?The mission of the Kent Animal Shelter is to provide a no-kill haven for homeless, abused, and abandoned animals until permanent homes can be found. Programs include Adoption, Rescue, Low Cost Spay/Neuter, Humane Education.

Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center
33 Warner Road, Huntington
631-368-8770
Hours: Monday-Friday, 1-7pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12-5pm
Little Shelter aims to serve as a refuge for abandoned and homeless animals by providing food, quality medical care, and shelter, until loving, permanent homes can be found—in essence, to 'Rescue, Nurture & Adopt'.
What you need to know: Appointments are encouraged for those interested in cats.

Long Beach Humane Society Kitty Cove
126 Austin Blvd., Island Park
516-594-1721
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-7pm
Long Beach Humane Society Kitty Cove exists to rescue as many abandoned and abused cats and dogs as possible. This organization aims to transition them to loving and caring forever homes. 

Long Island Feline Adoption Center
126 E. Main St., Smithtown
631-360-3611
The Long Island Feline Adoption Center is largely focused on love and the power of love. This organization nurtures cast-away and abandoned cats and kittens in an atmosphere of love and trust—cage free preparation for giving love in their new forever home.

North Shore Animal League
25 Davis Ave., Port Washington
516-883-7575
Hours: Bianca’s Furry Friends Feline Adoption Center is open for kitten and cat adoptions Monday-Thursday, 10am-5:30pm with no appointment needed, and by appointment only Friday-Sunday. The Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt Canine Adoption Center is open daily for puppy and dog adoptions by appointment only.
North Shore Animal League America has been saving the lives of more than 1,100,000 defenseless dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. This organization envisions a future in which all companion animals find responsible, loving homes where they are free from abuse, hunger, fear, and loneliness and receive the care and respect they deserve.
What you need to know: Social distancing protocols will be observed while on campus and face masks must be worn at all times.

Posh Pet Rescue
770 Park Place, Long Beach
516-431-7674
Since 2006, Posh Pets Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been dedicated to the rescue and placement of homeless animals into loving homes.

Riverhead Animal Shelter
324 Church Lane, Aquebogue
631-765-1811 x2
Animal Visiting Hours: daily, 10am-3pm
The Riverhead Animal Shelter cares for animals by locating owners of lost animals, by finding homes for homeless animals, and by providing shelter, food, grooming, exercise, and medical treatment.

Ruff House Rescue
Oceanside
516-306-4998
Ruff House Rescue is the largest non-profit rescue on the South Shore of Long Island. Its mission is to seek out under-served shelters and communities where they can make the biggest lifesaving impact. 

Save-A-Pet Animal Shelter
608 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station
631-473-6333
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-5pm; Sunday, 12-4pm
Save-A-Pet Animal Shelter believes it’s their moral responsibility to protect and improve the lives of abused, abandoned, and homeless cats and dogs, and to place them in loving permanent homes. 

Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation
102 Old Riverhead Road West, Hampton Bays
631-728-7387
Hours: Daily, 10am-5pm
The Southampton Animal Shelter is one of the leading no-kill animal shelters on Long Island and serves the entire Township of Southampton.

Southold Animal Shelter
165 Peconic Lane, Peconic
631-765-1811
Animal Visiting Hours: daily, 10am-3pm
Southold Animal Shelter is among the top rated shelters in the country, offering a comprehensive array of services for both the animals and their caretakers in the community. This organization provides all animal care, control and sheltering services for the Town of Southold.

Town of Babylon Animal Shelter
80 New Highway, Amityville
631-643-9270
Hours: Monday-Wednesday and Friday, 10am-3:45pm; Thursday, 10am-6pm; Saturday, 10am-3pm
The Town of Babylon’s Animal Shelter aims to balance the health, public safety, and welfare needs of the people and animals in the Town of Babylon, while providing nourishment and a safe environment for stray, impounded, and owner surrendered animals

Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter and Adoption Center
3320 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh
516-785-5220
Adoption Hours: Daily, 10am-4pm
The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter boasts one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. All adopted pets will be spayed or neutered, will receive required inoculations and will be microchipped.
What you need to know: The shelter is currently operating by appointment only for placement services. 

Town of Smithtown Animal Shelter
410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown
631-360-7575
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10am-3pm; Wednesday evenings and Sundays by appointment only
The Smithtown Animal Shelter and Adoption Center serves as a point of entry for all lost, stray, and surrendered animals, specifically, for the residents of Smithtown.
What you need to know: Only approved adoption appointments will be permitted to enter the shelter.

Last Hope Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation
3300 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh,
631-425-1884
Adoption center hours: Monday-Saturday, 10am-7pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm
Last Hope Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of death-due pound, stray and abandoned animals. This organization is attempting to reduce the cat and dog overpopulation problem on Long Island, encourage responsible and affordable pet ownership, and transform the public image of the typical pound or shelter animal.

Animal Shelters in Westchester County 

Humane Society of Westchester
70 Portman Road, New Rochelle
914-632-2925
Hours: Daily, 10am-4pm
The Humane Society of Westchester aims to create a living environment that is not just a shelter, but a transitional home for stray, lost, abandoned, injured, and abused animals, until they can ultimately be placed in loving permanent homes.
What you need to know: Open for adoptions by appointment only; no walk ins.

Mt Vernon Animal Shelter
600 Garden Ave., Mount Vernon
914-665-2444
Cat adoption hours: Daily, 11am-3pm; dog adoption hours: daily, 11am-2pm
The Mount Vernon Center for Animal Care is a municipal shelter that serves as a safe haven for thousands of domestic animals who are lost, abandoned, neglected, unwanted or in distress. While a small shelter, Mt Vernon Animal Shelter’s staff and volunteers work tirelessly to improve the lives of resident animals and those within the city of Mount Vernon.

New York Pet Rescue
7 Harrison Ave., Harrison
Contact via [email protected]
Its mission is to aid homeless, abandoned, and neglected cats and dogs, to nurture them in the foster care of volunteers, to provide veterinary care and socialization, and to place them in permanent loving and responsible homes.
What you need to know: It holds adoption events almost every weekend; see here for more information on events. Appointments can be made with foster home.

Paws Crossed Animal Rescue
100 Warehouse Lane South, Elmsford
914-372-7878
Paws Crossed Animal Rescue believes in always working to create a better world for pets and for people as a unified community! It feels its mission is best fulfilled through rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming, advocacy, collaboration, and education.
What you need to know: Closed to the public; adoptions by appointment only for approved applicants.

Rescue Right
402 Old Post Road, Bedford
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 9:30am-5:30pm
914-234-3771
Rescue Right works to rescue dogs and cats in desperate circumstances and place them in permanent homes, while also providing free emergency boarding and vet care for pet owners in need

SPCA OF Westchester and Veterinary Clinic
Temporarily location: 1966 Crompond Road, Cortlandt Manor 
The campus in Briarcliff is being rebuilt.
914-941-2896
The SPCA of Westchester is a no-kill, nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to saving homeless, abused, and abandoned animals and to protecting animals from cruelty and neglect through education and enforcement of humane laws.
What you need to know: SPCA is open to the public by appointment only. 

Yonkers Animal Shelter
1000 Ridge Hill Blvd., Yonkers
201-981-3215
Hours: Daily, 11am-4pm
Yonkers Animal Shelter is made up of volunteers looking for homes and rescues for shelter dogs. 

Animal Shelters in Rockland County

Hi-Tor Animal Care Center Inc.
65 Firemen's Memorial Drive, Pomona
845-354-7900
Hours: Thursday-Tuesday, 12-5pm.
Hi-Tor Animal Care Center takes in more than 2,000 animals each year and is the only open managed admission shelter in Rockland County.? This center envisions a place of refuge for every neglected, abandoned or abused domestic and companion animal in Rockland County.
What you need to know: All visitors must wear masks and observe a 6 foot space distance.?

Hudson Valley Humane Society
200 Quaker Road, Pomona
845-354-3124
The HVHS puts the cause of animal welfare at its core. In addition to sheltering abandoned and unwanted animals, HVHS actively seeks adoptive homes for these animals.

Animal Shelters in Bergen County, NJ

Bergen County Animal Shelter & Adoption Center
100 United Lane, Teterboro
201-229-4600
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 1-5pm 
Opened in 1979, the Bergen County Animal Shelter and Adoption Center (BCAS) is responsible for Animal Control and related services for 49 towns in Bergen and Hudson Counties. BCAS finds homes for a variety of animals, including cats, kittens, dogs, young adult dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, canaries, parakeets, and ferrets. 

Humane Society of Bergen County
221-223 Stuyvesant Ave. Lyndhurst
201-896-9300
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-3pm by appointment only
The Humane Society of Bergen County is a nonprofit organization operated exclusively through donations. This organization believes in a genuinely humane society, and works to reduce homeless animals, suffering, prevent animal cruelty, exploitation, neglect, and create meaningful life for animals with people.

Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge
2 Shelter Lane, Oakland
201-337-5180
Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge is founded on the belief that all animals have a natural right to humane treatment including proper care and safe shelter. This organization’s primary mission is to provide sanctuary while finding permanent, loving homes for the many animals that come to them.
What you need to know: Adoption is by appointment only every day.

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Sophia Martini

Author: Sophia Martini, a former intern of NYMetroParents, is a senior at Syracuse University. She is a true citizen of the world, as she has traveled to five continents, lived in Madrid, and has friends throughout the globe. During her free time, you will find her in the sun, dancing, and sipping some of her favorite rosé. See More

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