Pets face NYC housing crisis as animal shelters near capacity

Leonard Greene, New York Daily News on Jul 18, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

NEW YORK — New Yorkers aren’t the only ones facing a housing crisis. More and more pets need a place to stay, too.

The city’s largest animal shelter is running out of space, and is so close to capacity that it is making cuddly cats and dogs available for just $25.

For the price of an Uber Eats order, pet lovers can bring home a new addition to their families while taking some of the pressure off a busy animal intake center.

To make it even easier for potential pet parents, the Animal Care Centers of NYC is hosting a pair of pop-up adoption events in Brooklyn to help dog and cat seekers find their own furry friends.

“Every adoption and foster creates space in the shelters for another animal with nowhere else to go,” said Risa Weinstock, president and CEO of Animal Care Centers of NYC.

“As New York City’s open-admission shelter, we remain committed to serving every borough and every community. Right now, we’re asking New Yorkers to be part of the solution by adopting, fostering, or helping us spread the word.”

The weekend adoption events will be held in Brooklyn at The Spot BK, an industrial boutique-style space at 232 Varet St. in Bushwick.

The Saturday event will be held between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The Sunday pop-up will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Adopters can also view some of the homeless pets on the NYCACC app.

Last year, Animal Care Centers stopped taking in pets after reaching its 1,000-animal limit. The shelter is only 50 animals away from that threshold now, Weinstock said.

Summer is usually the busiest season for shelters, officials said, as more stray animals, owner surrenders and vulnerable kittens arrive across the five boroughs. Every adoption helps free critical space for the next animal in need, Weinstock said.

The increase in animals entering the shelter reflects the challenges many New Yorkers are facing and not a lack of love for their pets, she said.

Those challenges include eviction, homelessness and pet housing restrictions

When the shelter suspended general intake in 2025, it remained open for adoptions and drop-offs of animals that required emergency medical care or were a public safety risk, officials said.

Every adoption helps free critical space for the next animal in need, Weinstock said.

“The community has always stepped up when our animals need them most,” Weinstock said. “Whether you adopt, foster, volunteer, donate, or simply share a pet’s story, you’re helping us continue our lifesaving mission.”