You’ve been thinking about it for weeks — maybe months. You’ve watched enough Instagram reels of shelter dogs going home to finally decide: it’s time. Good news: New York City’s network of adoption centers, rescue partners, and foster programs is one of the most robust in the country. The not-so-great news is that navigating it takes some local knowledge, especially right now, with two facilities mid-renovation and a new summer of adoption events spinning up.
Here’s your complete June 2026 guide to adopting or fostering a pet in NYC — every location, every fee waiver, every shortcut the city doesn’t make obvious.
NYC ACC: The City’s Five-Borough Shelter Network (and What’s Changed)
Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) is the city’s official municipal shelter system — the first stop for stray, surrendered, and owner-relinquished animals across all five boroughs. It runs on public funding and is the backbone of everything else on this list. Right now, the network is in an active transition that every adopter should know about before they make a trip.
Brooklyn ACC is closed for a full rebuild. The old 2336 Linden Boulevard facility was demolished, and a new $48 million, 23,900-square-foot center is rising on the same East New York site. It will include a second-floor dog run, modern medical suite, and training space. Expected reopening: fall 2026. Until then, Brooklyn animals are being cared for at the Manhattan and Staten Island locations.
A brand-new Bronx ACC opens in 2027. The $92 million, 50,000-square-foot facility in Baychester is under construction — once open, Bronx animals will no longer need to be transported to other boroughs for care. Until then, the current Bronx satellite at 464 East Fordham Road handles limited adoptions only (no medical services on-site).
ACC Locations Open Now
Manhattan Animal Care Center — 326 East 110th Street, East Harlem, NY 10029. Adoption hours: Mon–Fri 12pm–6:30pm (last entry 6pm); Sat–Sun 11am–5:30pm (last entry 5pm). Full-service location including medical. Phone: (212) 788-4000.
Queens Animal Care Center — 92-29 Queens Boulevard, Rego Hills, NY 11374. Adoption hours: Mon–Fri 12pm–6:30pm (last entry 6pm); Sat–Sun 11am–5:30pm (last entry 5pm). Full-service location.
Staten Island Animal Care Center — 3139 Veterans Road West, Staten Island, NY 10309. Adoption hours: Wed–Sun 12pm–5pm. Full-service location.
Bronx ACC Satellite — 464 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458. Adoption hours: Wed–Sat 10am–4pm. No on-site medical services. Sick or injured animals should go to Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island.
ACC Adoption Fees and Who Gets a Waiver
ACC’s fee structure is designed to remove financial barriers. Here’s the current breakdown:
- Large dogs: Adoption fee waived
- Adult cats: Adoption fee waived
- Kittens: $25
- IDNYC cardholders: $25 off any adoption
- Veterans: Adoption fees waived
- Seniors (60+) adopting a pet age 6+: Adoption fees waived — this is the “Seniors for Seniors” program
One note: dogs are not licensed at the point of adoption. NYC law requires all dogs to be licensed, and the city charges $8.50–$34 depending on whether the dog is spayed/neutered and the length of the license (1–5 years). You can complete the license online at nyc.gov/doglicense — it takes about five minutes and you can pay by credit card. Unaltered animals adopted from ACC may require a $150 spay/neuter deposit, which is refunded once you provide proof of the procedure.
What to bring: A valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport). That’s it. Come prepared to take your new pet home the same day — ACC does same-day adoptions for most animals.
The ACC Foster Programs: Three Ways to Help Without a Long-Term Commitment
If adopting feels like too big a step, fostering is how thousands of New Yorkers support the shelter system — and it’s completely free. ACC covers all food, supplies, and medical care. You just provide the home. There are three on-ramps:
Full Foster: You care for an animal until it’s adopted — typically a few weeks to a few months. You’ll complete a virtual orientation first. All ages and experience levels welcome; first-time fosters are matched with animals suited to beginners.
Straycation (short-term foster, 3+ days): A shelter animal gets a real home for a long weekend or a week. The dog gets a couch nap and a few walks; you get to find out what living with a dog actually feels like. A virtual orientation for large dogs is required before you can schedule a Straycation.
BoroughBreak (day trip, 1 hour to all day): Take a shelter dog on a hike, a beach trip, or just a long afternoon nap at home. No orientation required. This is the lowest-commitment entry point and a genuinely great Saturday activity for dog-curious New Yorkers.
To sign up for any of the above, start at nycacc.org/foster.
ACC Adoption Events in June 2026
ACC regularly holds off-site adoption events where shelter animals come to you — often in front of pet stores and community spaces across the boroughs. Confirmed June 2026 events include:
- June 8 (Manhattan): Adoption event at The Pet Market
- June 6 (Queens): VETunity Day outreach event, 10am–3pm, 63-25 Main St, Kew Gardens Hills (note: pets are not available for adoption at outreach events, but this is a great chance to meet the ACC team and learn about fostering)
For the most current event calendar, check nycacc.org/adoption/events — the schedule updates weekly.
Major Partner Adoption Centers
Beyond the city shelter, several major organizations run their own adoption centers in NYC with different inventories and processes.
ASPCA Adoption Center — Upper East Side, Manhattan
Address: 424 E. 92nd Street, Manhattan, NY 10128. Phone: (212) 876-7700 ext. 4120. Hours: Mon–Sun, 12pm–5pm.
Walk-ins welcome for large dogs (30+ lbs) and cats. Small dogs (under 30 lbs) require an online application and scheduled appointment. Suggested adoption fee: $150. Same-day adoptions available — bring your ID and be ready to take your new pet home. Wait times can exceed an hour on weekends, so aim for a weekday morning arrival at noon.
Best Friends Animal Society — IMPORTANT June 2026 Update
Best Friends’ SoHo location at 307 West Broadway is closed for renovations starting June 4, 2026 through mid-August. During the closure, adoptions continue at a temporary Brooklyn location:
Temporary location: 232 Varet St, Bushwick, Brooklyn. Hours: 11am–7pm, 7 days a week, beginning June 6, 2026. Phone: 929-292-8300.
If you were planning to visit SoHo, head to Bushwick instead. The Brooklyn location opens the same week as you’re reading this.
NYC Second Chance Rescue
A 501(c)(3) established in 2009 that focuses on critically injured, neglected, and abused dogs and cats. Primarily foster-based — animals live in approved foster homes across the city rather than a central facility. Visit nycsecondchancerescue.org to see available animals and apply.
Waggytail Rescue — Small Breeds
Manhattan-based 501(c)(3) specializing in small breed dogs and other animals in need of rehabilitation and rehoming. Foster-based model. Visit waggytailrescue.org.
The ACC New Hope Program: How Rescue Partners Pull Animals
If you’re passionate about a specific breed — a Doberman, a Yorkie, a Pekingese — there’s a good chance a breed-specific rescue is pulling animals directly from ACC through the New Hope Program. ACC partners with dozens of rescue organizations that pull dogs and cats before they might otherwise run out of time in the shelter. Some of these partners are NYC-based; others operate across the Northeast and pull NYC animals into their networks.
You don’t need to navigate this yourself. If you’re looking for a specific breed, email ACC or search Petfinder (which aggregates ACC’s available animals alongside New Hope partners). You can also browse the full partner list at nycacc.org/programs/new-hope-partners.
Borough-by-Borough Summary for June 2026
Manhattan: ACC East Harlem (full service) + ASPCA Upper East Side (full service). Two strong options.
Brooklyn: ACC facility closed for renovation. Best Friends temporary location opens at 232 Varet St, Bushwick on June 6. NYC Second Chance Rescue operates throughout Brooklyn via fosters.
Queens: ACC Queens Boulevard (full service). The most overlooked location — often shorter wait times than Manhattan.
Bronx: ACC Fordham satellite (limited hours, no medical). New full-service Bronx ACC coming 2027.
Staten Island: ACC Veterans Road West (full service, Wed–Sun).
Quick Reference: Key Adoption Resources
| Organization | Borough | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACC Manhattan | Manhattan | 326 E. 110th St | (212) 788-4000 | M–F 12–6:30pm, Sa–Su 11–5:30pm |
| ACC Queens | Queens | 92-29 Queens Blvd, Rego Hills | (212) 788-4000 | M–F 12–6:30pm, Sa–Su 11–5:30pm |
| ACC Staten Island | Staten Island | 3139 Veterans Rd W | (212) 788-4000 | W–Su 12–5pm |
| ACC Bronx Satellite | Bronx | 464 E. Fordham Rd | (212) 788-4000 | W–Sa 10am–4pm |
| ASPCA Adoption Center | Manhattan (UES) | 424 E. 92nd St | (212) 876-7700 x4120 | M–Su 12–5pm |
| Best Friends (temp.) | Brooklyn (Bushwick) | 232 Varet St | 929-292-8300 | Daily 11am–7pm (from June 6) |
What to Do in Your First Week After Adoption
The shelter will tell you what food your new pet has been eating — stick with it for at least the first week to avoid digestive upset from a sudden diet change. If you plan to switch foods, do it gradually over 7–10 days. Schedule a vet appointment within the first two weeks; ACC animals are vaccinated and often already spayed/neutered, but a new-patient exam builds a medical record and catches anything the shelter may have missed. And yes, get that dog licensed — it’s legally required in NYC, it’s cheap, and it’s the fastest way to get your dog returned if they ever get lost.
If you want to meet other newly adoptive pet parents in the city, NYC has an active community of dog meetups and events this summer. Check our NYC Dog Events This June guide for Woof Fest, Bark in the Park, and more. And once your dog is settled, our NYC Off-Leash Hours guide will tell you exactly where and when they can run free in every borough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I adopt from NYC ACC if I live in New Jersey or Connecticut?
Yes. ACC doesn’t restrict adoptions to NYC residents. You’ll still need a valid government-issued photo ID. Out-of-state adopters should be aware that NYC dog licensing applies only to dogs kept in the five boroughs — check your own municipality’s requirements.
What happens if I find a stray animal in NYC?
Call 311 or contact ACC directly at (212) 788-4000. If the animal is injured, ACC can dispatch a field agent. You can also transport the animal to the nearest full-service ACC location yourself. Do not keep a stray dog in your home without notifying ACC — they may be microchipped and have an owner looking for them.
How long does the ACC adoption process take?
Most ACC adoptions can be completed in a single visit. You’ll meet with an adoption counselor, interact with the animal you’re interested in, complete paperwork, and pay any applicable fees. Budget 1–2 hours, longer on weekends. Come ready to take your new pet home the same day.
Is there a waiting list for specific breeds at ACC?
ACC doesn’t maintain a breed waiting list — availability changes daily. Check their online adoption listings at nycacc.org for the most current animals. For specific breeds, the New Hope Program partners (breed-specific rescues that pull from ACC) may be a better route.
What’s the difference between ACC fostering and adopting?
When you foster, the animal is legally still in ACC’s care — you provide a temporary home. When you adopt, legal ownership transfers to you. Fosters can choose to adopt their foster animal at any time during the placement; this is called a “foster-to-adopt” and is common at ACC. If you’re unsure whether you’re ready for a permanent commitment, fostering first is a smart way to find out.
