Call 911

Call 911 if an animal:

  • Is causing immediate danger or is vicious
  • Might be rabid and it is between 6 PM and 8 AM or a City holiday

    Need something else?

    • Rabid Animal to report an animal that may have rabies, dead or alive

    You can report an injured or sick:

    • Stray dog or cat
    • Large or unusual bird, large wildlife, or animal that can carry rabies
    • Animal in a park

    You can also learn about bringing an injured or sick common bird or small animal to an Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) Care Center drop-off location.

    Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) does not accept reports about healthy stray or mother cats that are still taking care of their kittens.

    During business hours, ACC accepts reports of sick or injured stray dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. 

    You can also search the internet or call 411 to find emergency veterinary care and advice at your own cost.  If you call 411, your phone service provider may charge you an additional fee.

    If a stray cat is a nuisance, you can bring the cat to any ACC Care Center. If you are able to safely contain the animal and are unable to provide vet care you can get help by phone or by email to arrange a time for you to bring the cat in and to allow ACC to prepare for the cat's arrival.

    Always use caution if you choose to help an injured or sick animal.

    Online

    CommunityCats@nycacc.org

    By Phone

    Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help between 8 AM and 6 PM, except for City holidays.

    During business hours, you can report certain wildlife or endangered species that are injured or sick to Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), such as:

    • Deer
    • Geese 
    • Falcons

    You can also report sick or injured animals that can carry rabies to ACC, including:

    • Raccoons
    • Opossums
    • Skunks 
    • Bats

    ACC does not accept reports about healthy wildlife.

    You may also contact a NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) licensed wildlife rehabilitator. A list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators can be found on the DEC website.

    Visit the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation website.

    Always use caution around sick or injured wildlife. Do not attempt to trap animals that can carry rabies.  Symptoms of rabies in animals include:

    • Extremely aggressive behavior
    • Paralysis, staggering, walking in circles or difficulty walking
    • Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
    • Convulsing, spitting, choking
    • Staring into space or being in same spot for 24 hours 
    • Unusual behavior, such as biting itself

    Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help between 8 AM and 6 PM, except for City holidays.

    Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) will accept injured or sick small animals and common birds if you bring them to one of ACC's Care Center drop-off locations.  ACC will not pick them up from you. 

    Examples of injured or sick small animals that ACC will not pick up include:

    • Squirrels
    • Robins
    • Sparrows
    • Pigeons
    • Starlings
    • Seagulls

    Do not attempt to trap sick or injured wildlife that can carry rabies.  Symptoms of rabies in animals include:

    • Lethargy 
    • Confusion or disorientation
    • Difficulty moving or walking/paralysis
    • Unusual or extreme aggression
    • Eating or chewing objects, such as wood, soil, stones, plants or other unusual materials
    • Excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth
    • Abnormal behavior, such as a wild animal that does not shy away from people            

    You may also contact a NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) licensed wildlife rehabilitator. A list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators can be found on the DEC website.

    Visit the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation website.

    You can report wild, stray or injured animals in parks to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). The City responds only to sick or injured wildlife or stray or injured animals in parks. 

    DPR does not handle reports about healthy pigeons and squirrels.

    Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC) does not respond to reports of sick or injured pets. 

    You can search the internet or call 411 to find an Animal Hospital or veterinarian. If you call 411, your phone service provider may charge you an additional fee.

    ACC has three Care Centers for animal adoptions that are open from noon to 7 PM, 7 days a week (except major holidays). They are located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island.  

    ACC provides euthanasia services but not private cremation services.

    The fees are: 

    • $35 to offer a pet for adoption
    • $125 to euthanize

    All forms of payment are accepted.

    You can report a beached, sick, or stranded marine animal such as a seal, turtle, or whale.

    For animals not in a park you can get assistance by phone.

    Online

    By Phone

    Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

    There are Animal Care Center offices and drop-off locations across New York City.

    Most require an appointment and are closed on the following holidays:

    • Independence Day
    • Labor Day
    • Thanksgiving Day
    • Christmas Day
    • New Year's Day

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