Animal Profile
Luna Girl
Hello, my name is Luna Girl . My animal id is #237468. I am a female black cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 5 years 1 months 2 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 10/21/2025, with the surrender reason stated as not a fit - too many animals already.
Luna Girl is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. She has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to her stress levels, it is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
You may know me from such films as...
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. Luna Girl is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. She has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to her stress levels, it is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her 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 have lived with cats in my previous home. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets. A volunteer writes: Luna Girl is trying her best--really she is. She's curious about the humans who greet her, she's lapping up the yummy tuna treats they leave in her cat condo, and she's even allowing some pettings and head scratchings rather than disappearing in her hidey den. But this beautiful girl with the charcoal-like smudges on her candy cane nose is unsure of why she's in the cat adoption room and what happened to the home she used to know. It's tough to relax and make friends with people when your world has been turned upside down. We get that, which is why we're hoping potential pet parents who have a little experience with scaredy cats will fall in love with Luna Girl as we have--and give her time to decompress in a loving forever home. Want to be the hero in Luna Girl's life story? Introduce yourself to her at the Manhattan Care Center today!
My medical notes are...
Weight: 7.7 lbs
10/22/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3-5 years based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - frozen for tasks, warms up at conclusion of tasks 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, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, mild tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Slightly distended. Non painful, no masses palpated. U/G: Externally WNL, intact female, no OHE scar or tattoo noted MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Mild dental disease Intact female Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam AFAST- no feti noted, no free fluid noted, hypoechoic fluid within bladder Await sort SURGERY: Okay for surgery
11/7/2025
SO: BAR, interested in treats offered, but does not eat them 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: fortiflora 1 sachet with food PO SID x7d 0.7ml doxycycline 50mg/ml PO SID x7d
11/13/2025
Recheck moderate URI S: QAR in cubby, when door opens makes attempt to flee before running back to back of cubby, some wet food eaten O: EEN- eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge H/L- Eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion MSK/i- Ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat Neuro- alert/appropriate A: No signs of URI P: CTM
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
KNOWN HISTORY:: Luna Girl was brought in with limited information on her behavior history in a home environment.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/24/25 PRIOR ASSESSMENT Luna Girl was sitting upright inside the den after lifting up den cover alert with eyes wide. She allows petting through the side portal door with the scratcher tool. Wary with her surroundings, Luna remains stiff in place throughout the assessment. Ended to help reduce stress. 11/03/25 #2 Prior Assessment Luna Girl was curled up at the back of the top cubby with a neutral body and eyes. She sniffs treats offered by hand but then leans back when reaching close. She dodges her head, leans away, tilts her ears, and widens her eyes when pet on the head. She tenses up and lip licks when receiving cheek rubs and stroking her body. She cooperates when reaching around her body and pulling her forward. During pick up, she stands her ground and attempts to grab hold of the portal door. After placing her back down, she curls up at the back of the cubby and continues to tolerate more petting but still attempts to dodge the assessor's hand when touched. 10/27/25 FB47 Luna Girl was in her den, lying quietly, looking out with average eyes, and appeared fairly calm. She did not appear to actively want petting and slightly sniffed treats but otherwise ignored them. She may be warming up soon. 10/28/25 Vol. She was sitting in her privacy den when I approached kennel. Backed up when I lifted her den cover. Sniffed at clicker with Squeeze-up but wasn’t eating in eating any. Also gave her a soft toy rubbed with catnip. Put some tuna in her den and she immediately ate it up. Wasn’t interested in playing with the laser or the cat dancer. 10/29/25 Vol. Luna girl was sitting up at the back of the den, eyes wide, and scrunching further back when I lifted the den cover to get a visual. She did not react to the dry treat placed in the den nor the puree extended on the tool. She allowed brief pets with the clicker ball, remaining immobile. Ended interaction. 10/31/25 FB73 Sprawled in top cubby, legs out, head up, eyes and ears normal. Put in treat bowl, she tucked paws and hunkered down a little and did not approach bowl. Approached with hard treat on scratcher tool - few blinks, no other reaction. Dropped treat and approached, she allowed head scratches with tool, paws still tucked, eyes and ears normal. Few blinks but no other reaction when stopped. Gave scratches and ended interaction. 11/01/25 FB73 Luna Girl is pressed into the back of her cubby, hissing as the door is opened. Petting is attempted with the scratcher tool and she dodges it. A squeeze up is placed in a tray and slid slowly in font of her, and after a few seconds of hesitation she leans forward to eat it. She is able to be pet for a few seconds with the scratcher tool
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Laid back
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Curious,Timid,Skittish,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period,Adult cat socialization
Potential challenges comments:: Luna Girl's behavior has improved from the initial assessment (see Enrichment Notes above from 10/24/25 for more details). She was previously frozen in fear but now allows all petting and handling, but may still attempt to dodge or lean away.
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:: Luna Girl stayed at the back of the cubby, alert and watchful with wide eyes and forward ears. She accepted squeeze-up treats but avoided the scratcher tool and direct contact. She became tense and hissed, then moved away with a low body posture and tucked tail when petting was attempted. The assessment was ended early to reduce her stress. Luna Girl 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 her new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents.