Some of NY's Animal Shelters
Established in 1903, Bideawee is one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the U.S. With locations in Manhattan, Westhampton, and Wantagh, they focus on creating and strengthening the human-animal bond through compassionate care and adoption services.
ACC is the city’s largest open-admissions shelter system, operating full-service centers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island, along with admissions centers in the Bronx and Queens. They take in over 30,000 animals annually, providing care and facilitating adoptions through events and community outreach.
Operating out of Brooklyn, Badass Animal Rescue is a volunteer-run nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates dogs from high-kill shelters, primarily in the rural South and U.S. Virgin Islands. Since 2011, they’ve saved over 3,700 dogs.
Located in Brooklyn, Sean Casey Animal Rescue specializes in taking in animals with medical or behavioral challenges that other shelters might turn away. They’ve rescued over 8,000 animals from NYC’s Animal Care Centers since 1998.
Based in the East Village, Social Tees is a strictly no-kill, foster-based rescue organization. They focus on rehoming abandoned dogs and cats, promoting responsible pet ownership, and creating a supportive environment for volunteers.
Serving New York since 1967, Animal Haven is a nonprofit shelter that finds homes for abandoned cats and dogs throughout the Tri-State area. They provide behavior intervention and enrichment programs to improve adoption chances.
Located on the Upper East Side, the ASPCA Adoption Center offers walk-in adoptions for dogs and cats. They also operate a Mobile Adoption Unit, bringing adoptable pets to communities throughout the five boroughs.
Second Chance Rescue NYC is a foster-based nonprofit dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating critically injured and neglected dogs and cats, especially those at high risk of euthanasia. Since 2009, they’ve saved over 15,000 lives, offering these animals the second chance they truly deserve.
Muddy Paws Rescue is a foster-based dog rescue in New York City, committed to building a community of dog-loving individuals dedicated to ending unnecessary euthanasia of companion dogs. They focus on direct lifesaving, education, and continuous innovation to support their mission.
Located in SoHo, Best Friends Animal Society’s New York City Lifesaving Center works to save the lives of homeless pets and supports other organizations in their efforts to make New York no-kill permanently. They showcase adoptable animals from local shelters and rescue organizations, providing a playful, modern setting for potential adopters.
Based in Brooklyn, Rescue City is a foster-based dog rescue committed to saving lives through education, support, and service. Their dedicated foster network provides temporary, safe homes for dogs while finding permanent adoption placements, ensuring a wonderful experience for both the dog and their human.
Waggytail Rescue is a small dog and cat rescue based in New York City, dedicated to the rehabilitation and rehoming of small breed dogs and other animals in need. Operating without a physical shelter, they rely on a network of volunteer fosters to provide care and find forever homes for their rescues.
Beastly Rescue is a small animal rescue organization that works with high-kill shelters in New York City to rescue and responsibly place homeless animals. They are dedicated to the rescue and responsible placement of New York City’s homeless animals, always seeking more foster homes and volunteers to support their mission.
Hearts & Bones is a 501(c)(3) foster-based dog rescue with roots in NYC (and Dallas), focused on saving the lives of dogs from overcrowded, high-risk shelters. They pride themselves on matching rescues and adopters thoughtfully—knowing each dog and each family—to ensure a forever fit. With no judgment and lifelong support, they’ve built a compassionate community that transforms lives, four paws at a time
Twenty Paws is a volunteer-powered, Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) rescue that specializes in bully breeds and pit mixes. They tirelessly work to empty shelter cages by rescuing dogs from across multiple states, transporting them to loving foster homes in NYC, and providing medical care, rehabilitation, and emotional support until they find their perfect forever families. Their dedication ensures every dog is given a voice and a second chance .
True North Rescue Mission is a fully volunteer-run, foster-based rescue founded in 2021 and dedicated to bringing dogs in need—often from high-risk shelters in Texas, Puerto Rico, and beyond—to loving forever homes in NYC. They operate without a physical shelter, relying entirely on community care and trusted foster families. True North is proud to partner with organizations like Slaughterhouse Survivors in China and supports diverse rescue efforts across multiple states. All dogs come fully vetted—spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped—and placed into foster homes until adoption. As they say, “Saving one dog won’t change the world, but for that dog, the world will change forever.”
Hearts & Bones 🦴
In the fast-paced energy of New York City, there’s a group of dog lovers quietly doing life-changing work — Hearts & Bones Rescue. This foster-based rescue isn’t about walls and cages; it’s about second chances and building forever bonds.
🏠🐕A Mission Built on Love
Hearts & Bones began with one simple mission: to save dogs from overcrowded shelters and give them a real shot at happiness. Operating between NYC and Dallas, this rescue is known for stepping in when dogs need it most — from high-risk shelters to urgent medical cases — and finding them loving foster homes until their forever families come along.
The Foster Difference
Unlike traditional shelters, Hearts & Bones is 100% foster-based. That means every dog experiences life in a real home, gets personalized care, and learns what it feels like to be loved before adoption day even arrives. This approach not only reduces stress for the dogs but also gives them the best possible start to their new lives.
Transforming Lives, One Dog at a Time
One of Hearts & Bones’ recent rescues, Shining Armor, came from a high-risk shelter. After weeks of love and care in a foster home, this once-scared pup is now thriving and ready for adoption — proof of what compassion and community can do.
How You Can Help
Foster: Open your home temporarily and save a life.
Adopt: Give one of their dogs a forever family.
Donate: Help cover medical bills, transportation, and supplies.
Share: Follow @heartsandbonesrescue and spread the word about their amazing work.
Hearts & Bones Rescue reminds us that rescue isn’t about one person or one place — it’s about a community of people willing to fight for animals who deserve better. And here at Mochi Lane, we’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on their incredible work as our Shelter of the Month
