Animal Profile
Sumo
Hello, my name is Sumo. My animal id is #265302. I am a male brown tabby cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 1 years 1 months 3 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a agency on 9/14/2026.
Sumo 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.
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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Sumo 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. A volunteer writes: Sumo was found with a few friends locked up in a large bin with holes...No wonder this beautiful tiger is on the shy side(like his housemates). He appreciates company, though, petting and gentle words but he likes to stay in his cubby, his safe place. Sumo, although timid, "let in" from day one staff and volunteers as they were reaching out to him and as time goes by, we are seeing more and more of that. Sumo is a well mannered and handsome kitty, apparently healthy and who did quite well on his behavior evaluation. He will be ready to go home after his neuter. Ask to meet Sumo when you come by the Manhattan Care Center. What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! Cheek and chin scratches make me so happy! I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 8.7 lbs
9/15/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~1-3 years based on dentition / condition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray Subjective: BARH, pink moist mm, CRT <2s Observed Behavior - Friendly, soliciting attention. vocal. Need towel restrain for intake tasks. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge noted. Moderate brown debris with mild erythema AU. sensitive when ears are touched and scratching ears. Oral Exam: Clean dentition. Fractured 104- unable to see pulp exposure. suspect old fracture PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2s, Lungs clear, eupneic 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: Not performed Assessment: Apparently healthy MI young adult DSH Moderate Otitis Externa AU Suspect ear mites AU Fractured 104 Prognosis: Good Plan: OK for appropriate intake tasks ADD Tresaderm AU BID x 7d. 1st dose applied at intake Given Ivermectin 0.3 mg/kg SQ, repeat dose of ivermectin in 2 weeks Recommend dental assessment with placement SURGERY: Okay for surgery
10/10/2026
Reported lethargic and not eating QAR in litter box no ocular or nasal dc noted A: lethargy r/o early URI v other P:
10/10/2026
SO: Reported lethargic and not eating QAR, allows all handling with soft body eent: eyes clear, gray mucoid ocular dc apparent h/l: eupneic, sniffling msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI moderate conjunctivitis P: gentamicin ophthalmic 1 drop OU BID x7d 100ml LRS sc SID x5d 0.4ml cerenia sc SID x5d 0.4ml doxycycline 100mg/ml PO SID x7d
10/15/2026
Reported to be difficult to administer eye medications to by meds staff. S: QAR in kennel, appears to have eaten well overnight O: EEN- eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge H/L- eupneic, no appreciable sneezing or audible congestion while cage side MSK/i- ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat Neuro- alert/appropriate A: No appreciable conjunctivitis Eating Responding well to treatment P: D/c eye meds D/c injectables Continue with doxycycline course CTM in care
10/17/2026
Recheck URI, last day of meds S: BAR, eats all treats offered O: EEN- eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge H/L- eupneic, no coughing/sneezing or audible congestion while cage side MSK/I- ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat Neuro- alert/appropriate A: No evidence of URI or conjunctivitis P: CTM in care OK for surgery
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
KNOWN HISTORY:: Sumo was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/20/26 Vol. Sitting in his litter box looking miserable when I approached kennel. Tried to interest him in some Squeeze-ups but he shied away from the clicker. Was able to scratch him with the tool for a short time. Tried to pet him by hand but he turned away. Wasn’t interested in eating treats or tuna. Didn’t engage with the cat dancer or the laser toy. Never came out of the litter box. Very fearful kitty. 10/21/26 ACFR Sumo was resting in his cubby when the handler approached. As the cubby door opened, he squirmed and moved further back into the cubby. His body was tense and he lip licked. As the tool got closer he started to move back and squirm to avoid physical contact with the tool. 10/30/26 Vol. In the back of cubby behind a litterbox that is used a bed with linens. Tense if door is open sometimes. Offered dry treats on scratcher tool. Sniffed. Will eat them if treats left nearby. Offered tuna in a tray nearby. She came closer to tray to eat tuna. Backed up if try to pet with scratcher tool, then swatted at it. B9dy tense, curled up against back wall if tool got closer. 11/1/26 FB73 Sumo is laying behind his bed in the back of his cubby, pressing himself close to the back wall with a tense body as the handler approaches. When the cubby door is opened, he hisses once, remaining pressed to the back wall. When petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, he is tolerant of all petting but leans away and remains tense. A squeeze up is offered on the click stick and he leans forward, sniffing it before quickly beginning to eat it and continuing to eat more as it is refilled.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Curious,Skittish
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments:: Please see relevant behavior flyers.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children
Recommendations comments:: No young children under 13 years old. Older, respectful children only.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 9/17/26 Sumo was resting on top of his den when approached. He was alert, with wide eyes scanning the room and his ears erect and forward, indicating that he was attentive to his surroundings. He slowly engaged with the assessor and accepted offered treats. Sumo head bunted the assessor’s hand, showing some willingness to interact, but remained hesitant throughout the assessment. During pickup, he became tense; however, once returned to the kennel, he continued to tolerate attention. 10/17/26 Sumo appears more fearful since his last assessment. He is in the main area of the kennel crouched with flattened ears and dilated eyes. When the assessor kneels in front of the kennel to open the door, Sumo immediately flees into the cubby and presses himself in the back of the kennel. A tray of squeeze up is placed in front of Sumo and he cautiously begins eating. When gentle petting is attempted with the scratcher tool on his cheeks and body, he tolerates the petting but looks as if to flee. The interaction is ended to not further increase his stress. Sumo tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents.