Animal Profile
Berry
Hello, my name is Berry. My animal id is #234325. I am a desexed male brown cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 14 years 3 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a aco - impound on 8/14/2025.
Berry is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. He is now displaying signs of [petting-induced aggression, boredom and frustration, overstimulation, etc.]. 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 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. Berry is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. He is now displaying signs of [petting-induced aggression, boredom and frustration, overstimulation, etc.]. 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 and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. A volunteer writes:Berry and his five housemates were the victims of a fire. They were left behind to fend for themselves although, for months, they were supported by well meaning tenants. The little group was finally"caught" and brought to the Manhattan Care Center. Berry, a very handsome senior, was underweight, dehydrated and quite upset upon arrival at the shelter.. He is calmer now but has not really accepted his lack of freedom and independence. He is social and comes right away when someone is at his door. He wants to be the boss, though, clearly and sometimes without warning, indicating that he has set limits when it comes to petting, rearranging his surroundings, preventing him to exit his kennel or taking away his food trays. He is a bit like my "old grandpa"....Definitively, a cage is not a proper setting for Berry who is finding the time very long. He might do well in an environment that will give him a safe haven, space, time, understanding and of course, measured love. Nobody is perfect and Berry is no exception. It does not mean that he can not thrive in the right home and in the right hands! What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! It is unknown if I have ever lived with other animals or children. I am finding the shelter a little overwhelming, but when it's just you and me and some peace and quiet you'll see what a love bug I am. 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 would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. I would do best in a home with only adult humans.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 9.1 lbs
8/14/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 12-14 years based on dentition/ocular changes Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Acquired by ACO, reported to have been near home that was in a fire back in April Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - reported to have bitten ACO driver prior to arrival to shelter. Allows some handling and then begins hissing and lifting paw, able to be distracted with dry food for tasks, vocalized + attempted to flee for blood draw 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: 3/9 5% dehydrated, slight skin tent EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, moderate tartar (PDDZ 2/4) PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, neutered male MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, dull hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: NEGATIVE Assessment Dehydrated Moderate dental disease Underweight Prognosis: Fair Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort + behavior assessment Spot BG: 134 mg/dL (wnl) Monitor throughout DOH hold Consider full senior blood work in 1 week SURGERY: Already neutered
8/21/2025
CBC HCT 27.3% (30.3-52.3) WBC 13 K/uL - mild neutrophilia 10.3 K/uL CHM Glucose 101 mg/dL SDMA 14 ug/dL Creatinine 1.1 mg/dL BUN 17 mg/dL Lytes WNL ALT 375 U/L (12-130) ALP 244 (14-111) TT4 WNL A: Mild anemia- r/o pre-regenerative vs. non-regenerative Mild neutrophilia- r/o infection vs. inflammation Elevated ALT/ALP- r/o infectious vs. inflammatory vs. neoplastic P: CTM Consider internal medicine consult when placed or adopted
8/24/2025
On 8/24/2025 at approximately 9:00 AM, Berry was examined. The patient has appropriate mentation at this time (no neurological signs present) and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at MACC. Hx: on DOH for biting/scratching a person Q-BAR not eating well eent- no nasal and no ocular discharge hl- clear and eupneic msi- ambulatory x 4; bcs- 4/9 neuro- no apparent deficits A) no apparent neuropathy present May be developing a URI P) consider removing from DOH observation The release request has been entered into Shelter Buddy Thanks
8/25/2025
Issue List: - Severe URI - anorexia - generalized weight loss - despite URI, still shows high FAS QAR DH EENT: nasal discharge noted H/L: eupneic; congested PLN: WNL ABD: relaxed U/G: MC MSI: generalized muscle wasting CNS: Mentation quiet - no signs of neurologic abnormalities A) URI with anorexia x days; weight loss; still striking and hissing prognosis guarded to poor P) Telazol- 0.12 ml IM SQ fluids- 150 ml LRS B vits-0.25 ml SQ Move to Med ISO concern that FAS will interfere with therapy
8/25/2025
Sedated for treatment administration. -Administered 0.12 mL IM Of Telazol 100 mg/mL - 150 mL SQ LRS Fluids - 0.25 mL SQ Vit B12 - reweigh - 9 lbs -repeat pcv/ts - 25%/6.2 - patient moved to medical iso for closer observation.
8/26/2025
URI still poor appetite but have eaten a little P) CWSC if possible
8/27/2025
SO: IN medical isolation on treatment for moderate URI BAR, ate all wet food in kennel overnight eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, sniffling appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-mild P: reported unable to administer sc fluids due to behavior
8/29/2025
SO: In medical isolation on treatment for moderate URI BAR, sitting at front of kennel. Ate most of food in kennel overnight eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-moderate on treatment P: continue current treatment plan move to cat isolation
9/1/2025
Hx: has had URI; elderly cat QAR H eating; social eent- no nasal or ocular discharge; no sneezing msi- amb x 4; underweight A) No URI-like signs P) Move out of ISO Placement/homing
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 4. Orange
KNOWN HISTORY:: Berry was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment. There was a fire at the building. Upon arrival, cat was in the apartment on 2nd floor meowing at window. Once staff and property manager got in to 2nd floor apartment, staff found that cat was being held behind a fabric with a big zipper door hindering him from roaming out of that room. Staff placed trap against bottom of door, opened zipper a little, then with a bit of time, cat walked into trap. Cat was then transferred into tomahawk crate and placed in cat for transport to MACC. When at MACC staff opened tomahawk door to check for microchip. Cat started to walk out of crate so staff, without gloved hands, blocked him with left hand (holding slight pressure on head) while still scanning with right hand. Cat continued to meow when he whipped his head around and bite left wrist of staff. Bite resulted in one deep puncture on top of wrist and 3 grazes that drew blood. Wound was cleaned with soap and water then chlorhexidine two times.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 9/7/25 Vol. Resting comfortably in main kennel area. Did not eat treats tossed in but sat up when I sat in front and returned blinks. Did not eat from a cup of squeeze-up either. Followed a feather toy sprayed with catnip and bit at it when hung from the ceiling. Briefly leaned into my hand, then pulled away and rubbed against the shelf. Then enjoyed more scratches with the tool, moving head around and head bunting for more.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate
VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Curious,Timid,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Uncomfortable with pick up,Other,New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments:: When reaching around his body or applying gentle upward pressure on his side and chest, Berry may retreat, hiss, snort, or stress meow. He is very food motivated. We recommend using treats to build a positive association or higher tolerance for human interaction and handling. He has a bite/scratch incident during intake (see Known History above fore more details). It is possible that Berry dislikes restraint or handling and may escalate to biting.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home
Recommendations comments:: Dur to being uncomfortable with pick up and having a bite/scratch history. Counselor discretion is advised.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Berry was resting curled up in the litter box with his head tucked in and tail wrapped around his body upon approach. When spoken to and opening the door, he perks up and eagerly accepts treats offered. He is easily coaxed with more treats to walk to the front of the kennel to greet the assessor. He allows petting on the head, cheeks, and body but does not engage with the attention. He is easily coaxed again with more treats to walk out of the kennel to explore; however, when reaching around his body, he hisses and retreats back into the kennel. He recovers fairly quickly and is easily coaxed to the front again with more treats and petting. When distracted with treats, the assessor reaches around his body and applies gentle upward pressure on his side and chest, and then he snorts and stress meows. Pick up was not attempted in order to reduce stress. Berry interacts with the observer, tolerates attention, and allows all petting, but did not appear to like being picked up during their behavior evaluation. Please keep in mind there are many reasons why a cat may be uncomfortable with this type of handling and that this may not necessarily translate into a home environment. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Any future home with children should be counseled in respecting the cat’s space and for the family to use care when picking him/her up, especially while they’re adjusting to their new home.