Where to adopt pets in NYC

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Scroll through pics, videos and personality profiles of more than 5,000 adoptable cats and dogs at the site of the ASPCA, the nation's oldest organization for the humane treatment of animals. If you have your heart set on a puppy, know that all adopters must pay for an eight-class obedience course ($70).
Cost: Dogs $75--$200, depending on age and breed; kittens under six months $125; cats from six months to three years old $75; there's no fee for cats over three years old.
Requirements: Must be at least 21 years old, provide a photo ID and proof of address (for example, a utility bill) and fill out a survey.
To foster: To take care of a critter that's up for adoption—or can't be adopted at the moment, for illness, maternity or other reasons—e-mail Ben Li'Gon (benl@aspca.org) to set up an interview. Applicants must also complete a two-hour class on  caring for an animal.
ASPCA Adoption Center, 424 E 92 St between First and York Aves (212-876-7700, aspca.org)

Animal Care & Control of NYC
With locations in all five boroughs—three care centers, plus receiving locations in Queens and the Bronx—AC&C takes in more than 40,000 animals each year, most of which are dogs, cats and rabbits (of all ages and breeds). If the critter you're eyeing was properly spayed or neutered (a requirement for any pet to be adopted in NYC), you can take it home with you then and there. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until the following day so your new housemate can undergo the proper procedure.
Cost: Dogs $25--$150, depending on age and pureness of breed; cats $25; adopt two cats and the fee for the second cat is waived; cats one-year-old and over are free; rabbits $50.
Requirements: Must fill out an adoption questionnaire, be at least 18 years old, and provide a valid photo ID and proof of current residence. If you rent, include your landlord's contact information as well.
To foster: Sign up for an orientation which is held at a differen location every month, see nyacc.org for details.
Manhattan Animal Care Center, 326 E 110th St between First and Second Aves (212-722-4939, nycacc.org) * Brooklyn Animal Care Center, 2336 Linden Blvd between Essex St and Shepherd Ave, East New York, Brooklyn * Staten Island Animal Care Center, 3139 Veterans Rd West at Arthur Kill Rd, Staten Island

Bideawee
Bideawee, which means "stay awhile" in Scottish slang, has provided homes for pets in NYC for more than a century. See your prospective pet in action with videos on the shelter's site, and don't miss—if only for the aw factor—the staff's monthly pick of the litter series. The counselors on hand require that every household member meet the animal before taking it home.
Cost: Puppies under six months old $225; all other cats and dogs $150.
Requirements: Fill out the dog or cat application, and present a photo ID and proof that your landlord allows pets.
To foster: Bideawee is looking for folks to care for puppies and kittens who are too young to be spayed or neutered. If you're interested, fill out an application form.
Manhattan Adoption Center, 410 E 38th St between First Ave and FDR Dr (212-532-4455, bideawee.org)

Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition
This Billyburg shelter makes sure prospective owners are serious about adoption by requiring all applicants to pay a nonrefundable fee of $150. Head to the site for honest profiles (which point out, for instance, that a dog isn't all that kid-friendly) and online testimonials that will make you feel all gooey inside.
Cost: Dogs and cats are free, once you pay the $150 application fee.
Requirements: Must be at least 21 years old, fill out an application, and provide two forms of ID and two references and a lease or letter from a landlord stating that animals are allowed at your residence.
To sponsor: BARC charges $25 per month to sponsor a pet; it continues to house and care for the animal, but you get visitation rights.
253 Wythe Ave at North 1st St, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-486-7489, barcshelter.org)

City Critters (212-252-3183, citycritters.org)
The folks at this no-kill nonprofit take in cats and kittens from the streets, households and the city shelter and finds them safe homes. Prospective owners complete an application and meet with an adoption counselor who can help find a suitable cat for their situation. Some of the cats up for adoption can be viewed at Kips Bay Petco (560 Second Ave at 31st St; 212-779-4550) and PetSmart (632 Broadway between Bleecker and Houston Sts; 212-475-0893), and adoption counselors are on hand at each location every Saturday and Sunday (noon--6pm).
Cost: Cats $100.
Requirements: Must fill out an application and meet with an adoption counselor.
To foster: City Critters encourages fostering to give kittys time out of a cage, or as a step towards adoption, and puts interested parties through the same application.

Also try:
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind (guidedog.org) * The Humane Society of New York (306 E 59th St at Second Ave; 212-752-4842, humanesocietyny.org) * Kitten Little Rescue (kittenlittlerescue.com) * Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals (animalalliancenyc.org) * A Tail at a Time (atailatatime.org)