Pet adoption fees waived this weekend at bursting NYC ACC facilities!!

 

Strawberry the kitten plays with a ribbon on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at the Associated Press bureau in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon)AP

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — An animal welfare group is stepping up to help the New York City Animal Care Centers with its capacity crisis by offering to pay adoption fees this weekend.

Best Friends Animal Society will be covering the costs for the first 100 pets adopted from July 24 to July 27.

This financial help extends to either large dogs or adult cats — so, if you were looking to scoop up a kitten or a guinea pig, you’ll still need to pay. 

The financial help offered by Best Friends Animal Society does not extend to the New York City dog licensing fee, a statement said, which could range from $8.50 to $34.

Furthermore, if your desired pet is not spayed or neutered, a $150 deposit might be required. 

The ACC, which has facilities in Staten Island, Manhattan, and Queens, issued a plea for help last week after the organization took in over 1,000 pets.

As of 11:15 a.m. on July 22, there are 28 dogs or puppies in a space designed for 24 at the Staten Island location. Keep in mind, however, that the traditional 24 spaces are split between 18 spots for larger dogs and six spots for smaller dogs.

There is only one small dog at the facility, and 27 large dogs. This “requires us to put dogs in pop up kennels in various spaces - staff offices, pantry room, meet and greet rooms, etc...,” the spokesperson said.

The situation is even worse for cats and kittens. The Staten Island ACC has 54 in their kennels, which is only designed to hold 32.

While rabbits and guinea pigs are taking up six of the 10 spaces available, “this area has no ability to be used for other species if needed due to the size of the space,” the spokesperson explained.

These pets can live in much smaller areas than a dog or a cat.

“We have never had this many animals in our care before. This isn’t a drill. This is a crisis,” the ACC wrote on social media. “We are completely out of space, and more pets arrive every day. We’re not crying wolf — we’re crying for help.”