Animal Profile
Shami
Hello, my name is Shami. My animal id is #247432. I am a desexed female black dog at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 11 years 1 months old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 3/3/2026, with the surrender reason stated as animal behavior - too fearful.
Reserved
Someone has already placed a deposit on me. I'm no longer available.
Shami has been placed on the At Risk list for medical reasons. She is geriatric and has several co-morbidities associated with her age. She also has elevated liver proteins that may suggest more complicated disease (e.g. Cushing's disease). She needs care and attention that we cannot provide.
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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. Shami has been placed on the At Risk list for medical reasons. She is geriatric and has several co-morbidities associated with her age. She also has elevated liver proteins that may suggest more complicated disease (e.g. Cushing's disease). She needs care and attention that we cannot provide. 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 Shami arrived at MACC as an owner surrender. During her stay in the care center Shami have been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to snap at handlers persistently and attempt to bite when picked up. Due to the detailed behavior we recommend a home with no children. What my friends at ACC say about me: I have medical needs that staff will address with you when you meet me. 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 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.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 14 lbs
3/5/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~10-12 yr Microchip noted on Intake? negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BARH Observed Behavior - nervous, attempted to bite during exam, muzzled as a precaution Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: T = NT P = WNL R = WNL BCS 4/9 EENT: suspect cataracts and scleral injection with mild mucoid discharge OU, large otic mass with brown discharge AD, mild debris AS, no nasal or ocular discharge noted, absent menace OU Oral Exam: severe dental tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, unable to perform deep palpation due to tense abdomen U/G: FS, tattoo on ventral abdomen, no obvious MGTs, no vulvar discharge MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, significant amount and diffuse amount of dermal masses throughout body and limbs, large SQ mass over right side of thorax caudal to RFL, greasy haircoat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: not performed Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: ~10-12 yr FS Mix Skin masses-r/o benign vs malignant Geriatric Dental disease Cataracts OU Blind OU Otic mass with secondary otitis AD, suspect otitis AS Prognosis: Unknown Plan: CBC/Chem/T4 to IDEXX Unable to perform otic exam due to patient compliance STT-20 mm OU TAB OO (without dex) OU BID (if tolerates) x 7 days Scheduled recheck for tomorrow to evaluate lab work, if lab work WNL recommend sedation to further evaluate ears, ear cytology, clean AU, full ophthalmic exam, IOP, fluorescein stain, AXR/CXR, and bathe, +/- obtain urine. Will need further work up and likely TECA AD depending on extent of mass AD once otic exam is performed SURGERY: already spayed, not needed
3/6/2026
CBC HCT 40% (41-60) Hgb 14.5 g/dL (14.6-21.7) WBC 14.7 K/uL - mild neutrophilia 10.4 K/uL - mild monocytosis 1.97 K/uL Thrombocytosis 506 K/uL CHM Glucose 91 mg/dL SDMA 11 ug/dL Creatinine 0.6 mg/dL BUN 23 mg/dL Lytes WNL ALT 219 U/L (18-121) ALP 1,648 (5-160) Amylase 1,483 (337-1469) TT4 wnl A: Mild anemia (just out of ref interval)- r/o pre-regenerative vs. non-regenerative vs. hydration vs. other Mild neutrophilia + monocytosis- r/o inflammatory vs. other Elevations in ALT and ALP- r/o infectious vs. inflammatory vs. endocrinopathy vs trauma vs. pancreatitis vs. other Mildly elevated amylase- r/o pancreatitis vs. other Prognosis: Poor to fair P: Collect urine sample to assess renal function/urine concentration ability On NeoPolyBac, recommend continuing medication and perform further ophthalmic tests (if indicated) at conclusion of treatment No current indication for thoracic radiographs or abdominal radiographs Continue with current treatment plan Recommend further work up of aural mass when placed
3/7/2026
Ate well o/n, active and does well on walk inside medical. Periodically vocalizing in kennel and trembling. P: Trazodone 50mg 3/4 tab PO BID Indefinitely
3/8/2026
Issue List: - geriatric dog with comorbidities - marked elevated liver enzymes - blind QAR eating EENT: no nasal or ocular discharge noted; dental disease H/L: eupneic U/G: FS MSI: Ambulatory x 4 but reluctant due to vision issues, dull hair coat CNS: Mentation quiet A) geriatric dog with co-morbidities and elevated liver enzymes P) CWSC recommend ARL
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
Date of Intake: 3/3/2026
Spay/Neuter Status: Spayed
Basic Information:: Shami is an 11 year old female SMB. Owner is surrender due to her having another puppy and cat in the home and shami not socializing well. She is also dealing with critical health issues.
Previously lived with:: 1 adult and 2 other pets, dog and cat.
How is this dog around strangers?: Shami around strangers visitors can be very shy and timid. She prefers contact on her own terms but when warming up before the two weeks is very friendly and outgoing..
How is this dog around children?: No experience.
How is this dog around other dogs?: Familiar dogs : shy and timid, hides initially. Unfamiliar dogs - on leash: shy and timid, hides initially. Unfamiliar dogs - off leash: shy and timid, hides initially.
How is this dog around cats?: Shy and timid, hides initially.
Resource guarding:: None.
Bite history:: None reported
Housetrained:: Partially
Energy level/descriptors:: Low
Other Notes:: Shami is known to be fearful of loud noises. She is also scared of children and people who come by the home/yard. She will react by hiding. Held/Restrained: Isn't bothered Disturbed while resting/sleeping: fearful Startled: fearful Pushed/Pull off furniture: Isn't bothered Feet/Paws are touched: Isn't bothered Collar grabbed/Touched: Isn't bothered
Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: Yes
Medical Notes: Infection on her ear that has been ongoing for 1 year. Last visit was to the ASPCA where she received antibiotics.
For a New Family to Know: Shami is known to be a quiet, independent, and aloof dog. Shami spends most of her time indoors, she likes to be where people are and in the bedroom. Shami allows for owners to bathe and brush her but is very fearful. Shami is rated a level 2 when walking, very little to no pulling. Shami has never been in a car ride before. Owner notes that Shami knows Spanish commands but does not really perform them unless there’s food. Owners favorite thing about Shami is how she is very sweet and gentle. Shami enjoys to eat soft wet food. She likes chicken and rice.
Date of intake:: 3/3/2026
Spay/Neuter status:: Yes
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender
Date of assessment:: 3/9/2026
Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Attempted to bite handlers when they attempted to pick her up Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Distracted Call over: No approach Sociability comments: Wandering around the room, snaps at the handler persistantly when the handler attempts to remove drag leash Soft handling: Fearful Exuberant handling: Fearful Comments: Tense body Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readily Knock Knock comments: No approach Toy Toy comments: No interest
Summary (7):: 3/6/26: Shami is howling at the front of the kennel when the handler approaches. She attempts to jump out the kennel but is quickly caught by the handler. Shami is placed on a drag leash to walk around main medical. Shami stumnles over herself as she walks due to medical reasons but is able to quickly walk around. She sniffs her environment but does not relieve herself. Shami has a loose and wiggly body as she walks around medical and occasionally walks to the handler and receives pets. Shami wanders around medical for some time until she is picked up and placed back into the kennel.
Date of intake:: 3/3/2026
Summary:: Aloof and fearful, tolerated handling
Date of initial:: 3/5/2026
Summary:: Fearful, attempted to bite during exam
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only
Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior we recommend a home with no children. We recommend placement with a New Hope rescue partner who is able to provide an experienced, adult-only foster home. Force-free, reward based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended.
Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression
Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Shami will attempt to bite handlers when handled and when they attempt to remove the leash. It is important to move slowly with Shami, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow them to initiate interactions with new people. They should never be forced to greet or to interact if they are not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.