The Heart of New York: Exploring Local Animal Shelters in the Big Apple

The bustling metropolis that never sleeps, New York City is one of the most exciting cities in the world. It is also home to countless furry friends, from playful pups to dignified felines. However, behind the adorable faces lies a pressing concern: overflowing animal shelters. Here are local animal shelters in New York City and how you can contact them to extend a helping hand.

Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) 

326 East 110th Street, New York, NY 10029 

Holding the distinction of being the largest animal shelter system in New York City, Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) serves all of its five boroughs. Founded in 1994, ACC took over the responsibility of caring for the city's abandoned and homeless animals from the ASPCA. Today, it operates three full-service animal care centers and two admission centers. It provides shelter, medical care, and foster and adoption services for a wide range of animals. It has helped hundreds of animals looking for homes, from dogs, cats, and rabbits to guinea pigs!

Learn more about Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC)

Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue, Inc. 

1520 Forest Ave., Staten Island, NY 10302

A non-profit, foster-based organization, Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue, Inc. is dedicated to saving the lives of animals in need. Their story started when Louie, a basset hound in a shelter with a 99% kill rate met his hooman, Emily, and the rest is history. The organization now has a strong presence in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Staten Island, New York, with their rescues coming from high-kill shelters across the United States. They have a unique approach to fostering, allowing rescued animals to live in loving homes while awaiting adoption.

Learn more about Louie’s Legacy Animal Rescue, Inc.

Bronx Tails Cat Rescue, Inc. 

833 East 219 St., Bronx, NY 10467 

Operating as a foster-based rescue and TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) program, Bronx Tails Cat Rescue, Inc. is not your traditional city animal shelter. It relies on a network of dedicated volunteers who take in rescued cats until they find their forever homes. The organization also provides essential care, including vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, and medical treatment to cats in need. What makes this organization special is its efforts toward Feline leukemia-positive cats, offering them a safe and loving environment.

Learn more about Bronx Tails Cat Rescue, Inc.

Feline Rescue of Staten Island 

98 Maple Ave., Staten Island, NY 10302 

Another non-profit organization focused on helping kitties in need, Feline Rescue of Staten Island, provides temporary homes for rescued cats while waiting for adoption. They primarily take in cats with special needs or those that are considered hard to place from the Animal Care Centers of NYC. Operating as a foster-based rescue, FROSI has an adoption center in Granby, Connecticut, widening their reach and increasing the chances of finding forever homes for their rescued furkittens. Like many on this list of city animal shelters in New York, they are committed to providing medical care to ensure the kitties' well-being before adoption.

Learn more about Feline Rescue of Staten Island 

Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare (SICAW) 

3801 Victory Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10314 

Founded in 1972, Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare (SICAW) is Staten Island's longest private rescue group in operation. It provides essential care, medical treatment, and rehabilitation for dogs, cats, and other small animals. It is a completely volunteer-run organization, relying on the generosity of the community to finance its operations.

Learn more about the Staten Island Council for Animal Welfare (SICAW)

Brooklyn Animal Action 

935 President St, Brooklyn, NY 11215 

Brooklyn Animal Action is an all-volunteer city animal shelter dedicated to improving the lives of dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, and exotics. It rescues, rehabilitates, and finds forever homes for adoptable animals. Brooklyn Animal Action also actively does community outreach and education to raise awareness about animal welfare.

Learn more about Brooklyn Animal Action

Beastly Rescue, Inc. 

1410 York Avenue, Apt 4D, New York, NY 10021 

Collaborating with high-kill shelters to rescue dogs and cats, Beastly Rescue, Inc. relies on a network of foster homes while the animals await adoption. Their program aims to match these animals with suitable families. They are committed to responsible pet placement and provide support and resources to the adoptive families.

Learn more about Beastly Rescue, Inc.

Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue 

2795 Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314 

A non-profit organization, Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue is dedicated to rescuing and rehoming abused, unwanted, and abandoned animals. One of their prime advocacies is to educate the community about the challenges faced by homeless animals and the benefits of adopting a rescued pet. 

Learn more about Staten Island Hope Animal Rescue

Rescue City 

153 21st Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232

Another Brooklyn-based rescue organization, Rescue City, is dedicated to saving dogs' lives through education, support, and service. It operates as a foster-based rescue that provides temporary shelter and safe homes until the dogs find their forever homes.

Learn more about Rescue City

Animal Haven 

200 Centre Street New York NY 10013 

Since 1967, Animal Haven has been rescuing animals in the New York City Tri-State area. They care for homeless cats and dogs, providing training, rehabilitation, medical treatment, and community assistance in unexpected crises such as housing emergencies, domestic violence, and illness.

Learn more about Animal Haven

Puppy Kitty NY City Inc.

6329 75th St., Middle Vlg NY 11379-1817 

As its name suggests, Puppy Kitty NY City Inc. is an animal rescue organization that saves homeless and abandoned puppies and kitties. While primarily focused on helping cats and kittens in need, they also extend their hand to help dogs, puppies, and other small animals. One of their main mission is fighting the overpopulation of feral cats through their TNR (trap-neuter-release) programs.

Learn more about Puppy Kitty NY City Inc.

Give Me Shelter Project

248-25 Northern Blvd., Suite 1J-355, Little Neck, NY 11362 

In 2008, a small group of independent rescuers banded together to help 88 cats from an eviction situation. Since then, they have continued with their dedication to helping cats in need by providing care, foster homes, and finding them their forever families. They stand by their slogan, "EACH ANIMAL COUNTS," emphasizing their belief that every animal's life is valuable and deserves respect. They actively promote the concept that animals should be treated with compassion regardless of breed, age, and condition.

Learn more about the Give Me Shelter Project