Animal Profile
River
Hello, my name is River. My animal id is #239777. I am a male black cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 7 years 4 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a aco - owner surrender on 10/21/2025, with the surrender reason stated as person health - medical.
River 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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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. River 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: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! I have lived with cats in my previous home. I am looking for a home with a patient person. I can be slow to adjust to new environments. I prefer to take things at my own pace. I will flourish in a calm environment and a low-traffic home. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. I would do best in a home without very tiny humans, although I could be open to older human children once I meet them.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 10.7 lbs
10/22/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 7-9 years based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: ACO- owner surrender due to too many cats in the home Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior- tense + whale eyed, lip licking, attempted to handle and initially allowed petting and then fled from staff and needed to be netted, opted to sedate using 0.2 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.2 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) IM. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear OU, ears have brown debris AU, crinkled pinna AD, no nasal discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, missing some maxillary incisors, moderate tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, no murmur noted, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4 (prior to sedation), skin free of parasites, no masses noted, focal area of alopecia along left ventral neck -- appears consistent with scarring, otherwise healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities (prior to sedation) Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Ear mites likely Otitis externa chornic Crinkled pinna AD Alopecia/scar along left ventral neck Moderate dental disease Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort + behavior assessment Clean ears Apply Selarid 0.2 ml antisedan IM SURGERY: Okay for surgery
10/22/2025
Recovery from sedation uneventful.
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow
KNOWN HISTORY:: River was brought in with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. This cat lived with many other cats and may have had access indoor and outdoor.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/26/25 Vol. I lifted the feral den cover, and River was wide-eyed and scrunched in the back of the den. He was never aggressive: no hissing or growling. I put a food tray with squeeze-up in front of the den without any reaction from him. 10/29/25 Vol. River was inside his den sitting up towards the back, eyes wide, pupils dilated. He did not initially react to the tool extended with the treat through the portal and then swatted at it hard. We continued to sweet talk, and I left him some treats, but he was not open to interaction. 10/31/25 Vol. In hidey box. Put in treat bowl, no reaction. Approached box with hard treats on tool - could see River's eyes against back of box, round and dilated - no reaction to treats or tool. Let tool rest and removed - his eyes remained the same. Ended interaction. 11/1/25 FB47 River was inside the den, slightly curious, and would poke his head out of the side door. He sniffed treats but didn’t come all the way out for them, and catnip was also offered. 11/3/25 FB47 A volunteer was interacting with River, and he was in the cubby on his hunches and appeared a little tense. When approached with treats, he hissed, and she decided to end the interaction. 11/4/25 FB73 River is in the back of the cubby, hiding behind his litter box with just his eyes peeking out above it, ears back as the cubby door is opened. As the handler begins to soft talk him he hisses once before stopping. A squeeze up is offered on the scratcher tool and he sniffs at it but doesn't take it. Lick mat is left for him in the cubby and interaction is ended. 11/5/25 Hisses crouched behind the litter box. Shrinks and briefly allows petting along the head but continues to hiss. He lifted paw and pats at the scratcher tool. Ended the interaction and when left alone he ate offered squeeze up. 11/20/25 FB32 Curled up behind litter box in top cubby and presses his face to the back corner. Ignores treats offered, lip licks and allows cheek rubs. When reaching and stroking along his body, he hisses and nips at the tool. Then, he stares at the tool and sits up.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period,Adult cat socialization
Potential challenges comments:: River is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is very apprehensive of people and, while showing no aggressive behaviors, he may attempt to flee and avoid human contact. It is difficult to predict if he will respond to socialization but we recommend offering high value treats and food to help build a positive association to humans. Please be mindful that adult cats will require more time and skill in order for them to be comfortable around people.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children
Recommendations comments:: No young children under 13 years old due to fearfulness. Counselor discretion is advised.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: River was lying down hiding in the den with a neutral body and wide eyes upon approach. When reaching close to offer treats, he sits up and ignores treats offered. He lies back down with a tense body and ears tilted to the side. He tolerates petting on the head, cheeks, and body but remains frozen and does not engage with the attention. When applying gentle upward pressure on his side and chest, he stands his ground and stiffens his body. River 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 this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, he may not be a great fit for young children. Any home with older children prepared to adopt this cat should conduct a thorough interaction and endeavor to monitor this cat around their children to prevent these behaviors from being reinforced.