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Sleepy

Hello, my name is Sleepy. My animal id is #262667. I am a desexed male black cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 6 years 1 months 1 weeks old.

I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 8/18/2026, with the surrender reason stated as not a fit - too many animals already.

Reserve Sleepy Pre-Screener Form

Sleepy is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.

Let's get to know each other a bit more...

This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Sleepy is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. What my friends at ACC say about me: I'm an independent kitty who likes to do my own thing. The staff think I would do best in a home where there are no other cats. I can be slow to adjust to new environments. I prefer to take things at my own pace. I would do best in a home with only adult humans. My favorite pastime is being visually admired! Pet me with your eyes! Sleepy tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter and may be intimidated by small children. He may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to his new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 10 lbs

8/20/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 6-8 years based on dentition / condition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BARH, pink moist mm, CRT <2s Observed Behavior - Nervous but tolerant, pupils dilated Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL R = WNL BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, mild dark debris, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Moderate staining and tartar, gingivitis PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2s, Lungs clear, eupneic, negative ITC ABD: Soft, nonpainful, no masses palpated U/G: Male - intact, two symmetrical scrotal testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, full orthopedic exam not performed INT: Healthy hair coat, no masses noted, no ectoparasites seen CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Normal externally Wood's Lamp Exam: Negative Assessment: Apparently healthy MI DSH Prognosis: Good Plan: OK for appropriate intake tasks Neuter SURGERY: Okay for surgery

8/29/2026

SO: BAR, eating canned food eent: eyes clear, clear mucoid nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, sniffling and sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI -moderate P: 0.5ml doxycycline 100mg/ml PO SID x7d

9/5/2026

Recheck URI S: QAR, in front of kennel. O: EEN- eyes clear, no apparent nasal or ocular discharge H/L- eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion MSK/i- ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat Neuro- alert/appropriate A: No evidence of URI P: Ok to move out of Cat ISO CTM

9/17/2026

Pre-surgical exam, anesthesia, and surgery performed by offsite vet. Medical record uploaded to Vet Documents. Green linear tattoo placed lateral to incision. As per offsite vet: NO EAR TIP REQUESTED!

9/18/2026

Post-Op Exam S: QAR O: EEN- eyes clear, no appreciable nasal or ocular discharge H/L- eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion MSK/i- ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat. Surgery site is CDI. Neuro- alert/appropriate A: Appears to be healing well post op P: CTM in care

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Upon intake, limited handling was done and cat walked into carrier without issues.

Is this cat having litter box issues?: Yes

If yes, Please elaborate:: There are 4 litterboxes located in the bathroom and living room. Two of them are automatic and covered. Owner used scented clumping clay litter. Sleepy will spray on multiple surfaces. He is also known to urinate and defecate outside of the box. This has happened for years and he has not seen a vet for this issue. Owner will scoop twice a day and has tried to clean soiled areas. Sleepy shares litterboxes with 10 cats.

Basic Information:: Sleepy is an apprx. 2-year-old male DSH cat who was surrendered due to the number of cats in the home and his behavior

Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 1 child (16yo), 10 cats

How is this cat around strangers?: Swats, Stress meows, prefers contact on his own terms, and plays rough

How is this cat around children?: Stress meows, hisses, and swats

How is this cat around other cats?: Plays rough, swats, hisses, and nips

How is this cat around dogs?: Plays rough, swats, hisses, and nips

Behavior Notes: Sleepy is known to hiss, growl, swat, nip, and bite when his coat is brushed, nails are trimmed, held, or placed in a carrier. Sleepy is known to play rough, swat when pet for too long, dislike people, dislike cats, and dislike dogs.

Bite history:: Sleepy has bitten and scratched in the past but none has broken skin in the last 10 days. He has a history of attacking the other cats in the home and then the owner if he tries to break up the fight. He will go after strangers in the home.

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Sleepy is described as bold/fearless, independent, or watches from afar. He spends most time at the window or in the kitchen. He will play rough, chase/stalk toys, and chase bugs. He is known to scratch on rough rope, carpet, wood, cardboard, and horizontal surfaces. He was fed wet and dry food.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 1 adult, 1 child (16yo), 10 cats Behavior toward strangers: Swats, Stress meows, prefers contact on his own terms, and plays rough Behavior toward children: Stress meows, hisses, and swats Behavior toward cats: Plays rough, swats, hisses, and nips Behavior toward dogs: Plays rough, swats, hisses, and nips Bite or Scratch history: Sleepy has bitten and scratched in the past but none has broken skin in the last 10 days. He has a history of attacking the other cats in the home and then the owner if he tries to break up the fight. He will go after strangers in the home. Litter box training: No - please note there were 10 cats in the home and Sleepy is not neutered. There are 4 litterboxes located in the bathroom and living room. Two of them are automatic and covered. Owner used scented clumping clay litter. Sleepy will spray on multiple surfaces. He is also known to urinate and defecate outside of the box. This has happened for years and he has not seen a vet for this issue. Owner will scoop twice a day and has tried to clean soiled areas. Energy level/descriptors: High energy level. Other notes: Sleepy is described as bold/fearless, independent, or watches from afar. He spends most time at the window or in the kitchen. He will play rough, chase/stalk toys, and chase bugs. He is known to scratch on rough rope, carpet, wood, cardboard, and horizontal surfaces. He was fed wet and dry food. Sleepy is known to hiss, growl, swat, nip, and bite when his coat is brushed, nails are trimmed, held, or placed in a carrier. Sleepy is known to play rough, swat when pet for too long, dislike people, dislike cats, and dislike dogs. Upon intake, limited handling was done and cat walked into carrier without issues.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 9/11/26 Vol. In top cubby - head up eyes round, ears forward, intense. Put treat bowl on shelf by entry, no immediate reaction. Opened cubby to approach with scratcher tool and found Sleepy sticking his head out and eating treats greedily, pushing bowl closer to front and edge and following it out. He did not allow any touches with tool while eating, looking up and pulling back quickly before returning to treats. Ate lots of treats and listened to sweet talk. Ended interaction. He finished treats and went back to cubby to groom. 9/13/26 Vol. Resting in top cubby but came out when Temptations were tossed in and ate from a cup of Temptations and squeeze-up. Came down to bottom shelf for more treats. Ate from a tube of squeeze-up but shied away from any attempts at head or chin scratches before continuing to eat. 9/16/26 Vol. Sleepy was lying in cubby, looking into main kennel with neutral eyes. He leaned forward to eat treats from scratcher tool but backed away to avoid petting. He readily came forward to eat squeeze up from hand. He continued to flinch away from attempted petting but was not discouraged from eating the squeeze up. Remained sitting at front of kennel after interaction.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Curious,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Rough play,Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Please see potential behavior flyers.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Single-pet home,Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Sleepy was reported to stress meow, hiss, and swat at children. Adult only home. He was also reported to rough play, swat, hiss, and nip at other animals. Single pet home only.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 8/21/26 Sleepy is in his cubby laying down with wide, dilated eyes. He sniffs the assessor's hand but backs away when petting is attempted on his cheeks. When pet with a scratcher tool under his chin, he leans in and closes his eyes. When petting is attempted on his body with the tool, his tail begins to flick as he backs himself away. The interaction is ended to not further increase his stress. 9/22/26 Sleepy is laying in the back of his kennel, eyes wide, pupils dilated, and observing the room with forward ears as the assessor approaches. When the kennel door is opened and he is spoken to softly, he meows very quietly before running into his cubby to avoid contact. Petting is attempted with the scratcher tool and he leans into some petting on the head and cheeks but tenses and leans away to avoid contact when he is pet down his shoulders and back, exiting the cubby and going back to the main area of the kennel to avoid further contact. Pickup is not attempted due to observed behavior. Sleepy tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter and may be intimidated by small children. He may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to his new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.