New Yorkers Can Find Their Own 'Superheroes' When They Adopt a Pet from a Shelter


Adopters Assemble! This weekend, millions of Americans packed movie theaters to see Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, but New Yorkers can be heroes, too, if they’re looking to take in a homeless animal. Animal Care and Control of New York City (ACandC) is hosting an adoption event. For just a $20 fee, locals can adopt a “marvel-ous” cat or dog (ages seven months and older) or a rabbit of any age. Those who adopt animals often say that they were the ones who were rescued, say representatives from the ACandC. “Whether you’re looking for a caped crusader, a super sleuth, or a companion to ward off the doldrums, ACandC has an amazing superhero just waiting to rescue you!” said Jessica Vaccaro, Adoption Manager with ACandC. The event runs through Sunday, May 10. ACandC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that takes in around 30,000 animals each year. They are the only open-admissions animal shelter in New York City. CBSNewYork also teamed up with ACandC to feature some of the animals and show potential adopters the kinds of pets they can find in a shelter. One, Cheeta, is a described as a playful dog who is “gorgeous, friendly, affectionate and everything she should be,” according to an ACandC volunteer. The majority of dog owners (59%) have only one dog. Some families will use a variety of methods to find another pooch to add to the family — including using pet dating websites to get in touch with breeders or to find a mate for their dogs. Others will do anything to get a dog back if their pet gets lost. Some have paid $100 an hour for a search team of two dogs, Trigger and Dexter, to track their lost pups in the Boston area. Their owner, Jamie Genereaux, said that they have an 80% success rate in helping owners finding lost pets, who are tracked through the scents left by their paws. This helps owners get in touch with their pets once more, so they don’t end up in one of the local adoption shelters as strays. Other pets featured by CBSNewYork were Robin, a “big, lovable tabby cat who cannot get enough affection, no matter how long you linger at his kennel,” and Jacqueline, an “easygoing and friendly” rabbit. The ACandC notes that some of the animals may already be adopted when New Yorkers arrive at the area shelters, but there are plenty of great pets out there still looking for homes. The animals are also available for viewing online. The ACandC has three Care Centers, located in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island. They will also host mobile adoption events, which are listed on their website. All adoptions include vaccinations, spaying/neutering, a pre-registered microchip, an identification tag, a collar, and a certificate for a free initial exam from a participating veterinarian.

Adopters Assemble! This weekend, millions of Americans packed movie theaters to see Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, but New Yorkers can be heroes, too, if they’re looking to take in a homeless animal.

Animal Care and Control of New York City (ACandC) is hosting an adoption event. For just a $20 fee, locals can adopt a “marvel-ous” cat or dog (ages seven months and older) or a rabbit of any age.

Those who adopt animals often say that they were the ones who were rescued, say representatives from the ACandC.

“Whether you’re looking for a caped crusader, a super sleuth, or a companion to ward off the doldrums, ACandC has an amazing superhero just waiting to rescue you!” said Jessica Vaccaro, Adoption Manager with ACandC.

The event runs through Sunday, May 10.

ACandC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that takes in around 30,000 animals each year. They are the only open-admissions animal shelter in New York City.

CBSNewYork also teamed up with ACandC to feature some of the animals and show potential adopters the kinds of pets they can find in a shelter.

One, Cheeta, is a described as a playful dog who is “gorgeous, friendly, affectionate and everything she should be,” according to an ACandC volunteer.

The majority of dog owners (59%) have only one dog. Some families will use a variety of methods to find another pooch to add to the family — including using pet dating websites to get in touch with breeders or to find a mate for their dogs.

Others will do anything to get a dog back if their pet gets lost. Some have paid $100 an hour for a search team of two dogs, Trigger and Dexter, to track their lost pups in the Boston area.

Their owner, Jamie Genereaux, said that they have an 80% success rate in helping owners finding lost pets, who are tracked through the scents left by their paws. This helps owners get in touch with their pets once more, so they don’t end up in one of the local adoption shelters as strays.

Other pets featured by CBSNewYork were Robin, a “big, lovable tabby cat who cannot get enough affection, no matter how long you linger at his kennel,” and Jacqueline, an “easygoing and friendly” rabbit.

The ACandC notes that some of the animals may already be adopted when New Yorkers arrive at the area shelters, but there are plenty of great pets out there still looking for homes.

The animals are also available for viewing online.

The ACandC has three Care Centers, located in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island. They will also host mobile adoption events, which are listed on their website.

All adoptions include vaccinations, spaying/neutering, a pre-registered microchip, an identification tag, a collar, and a certificate for a free initial exam from a participating veterinarian.