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Momo

Hello, my name is Momo. My animal id is #252101. I am a male brown 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 stray on 4/14/2026.

Sorry, this pet is for new hope partners only.

Pre-Screener Form

Momo 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 more intense distance increasing behaviors, hissing and swatting hard when interaction is attempted. 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. Due to the detailed behavior issues, this animal is only available for foster/adoption through one of ACC's New Hope Partners. If you are interested in adopting or fostering, please fill out the pre-screener form. This animal is not directly available for adoption through ACC and is only available by completing the pre-screener form. Adoption inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Momo 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 more intense distance increasing behaviors, hissing and swatting hard when interaction is attempted. 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: I'm sure that there are plenty of things that Momo wishes he could tell us. Things that would help us to understand who he is and what he likes, but any variation of communication can be easier said than done when you're all on your own. Momo isn't exactly that, as we're proudly on his team, but he's still left us guessing quite a bit. Mostly what we've been able to deduce are things that Momo doesn't like. When I met him, he tried to politely decline my friendship by folding himself into the corner and flattening his little ears. Though Momo successfully made his point, I also know that he's been through quite a few changes recently through no fault of his own. At the shelter he tends to lean away or freeze in place in response to our outstretched hands and though he does allow some pets from time to time, it hasn't exactly been his thing. We're very sure that a forever family where he can be himself and communicate as freely as he feels will be the perfect fit. What my friends at ACC say about me: 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.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.8 lbs

4/15/2026

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4-7 yrs based on teeth Microchip noted on Intake? neg History: stray - client surrendered cat for her friend who was evicted Subjective: QARH Observed Behavior - hissing in den, sedated for exam Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? no Objective: T = P = 160 on dexdom R = eup BCS = 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: mild- mod tartar and gingivitis PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI, 2 sst MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally NSF Wood's Lamp Exam: Assessment: Mature adult DSH Grade 2/4 ddz Prognosis: fair to good Plan: Sedate with dexdom/ ket/ torb 0.1 cc each. Incomplete sedation - still tenses with abd palp. Full reversal with antisedan 0.1 cc. Routine intake tasks SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

KNOWN HISTORY:: Momo was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PRIOR ASSESSMENT 4/17/26 Momo was crouched tightly in his den, alert and wary with wide eyes and slightly turned ears. He hissed when offered treats and leaned away, freezing during interaction. Although he remained cautious, he tolerated brief petting with the scratcher tool through the side portal door. Pick up was avoided to help build a more positive initial experience. 5/1/26 FB09 Momo was crouched in the back of his cubby upon opening the door, staring with wide, dilated eyes at the handler, his paws tucked close to his body. He was hesitant to come forward, but after sniffing treats, he cautiously approached and began licking squeeze-ups off the click stick. While eating, Momo kept eye contact with the handler, his eyes slowly softening as he began to return slow blinks. When the handler transitioned to petting along his cheek with the click stick, he slowly backed away, tail quickly curling around his body. 5/5/26 Vol. Sitting in back of privacy cubby with flattened ears and tail wrapped around body. Hissed and growled a bit when door was opened. Ate Squeeze-ups while low growling. Stopped eating and started swatting and hissing. Ended interaction to avoid FAS. 5/9/26 Vol. In cubby lying down facing forward with wide eyes, ears perked up when approached, door opened and spoken to. Then sat up. Offered dry treats on scratcher tool. Looked at, sniffed then ignored. Will lean away and picked up paw if try to pet with scratcher tool. Hissed. Offered lickable treat. Ate lickable treats. Will partly stick head through portal opening to eat lickable treat from scratcher tool and from tube but not come completely through portal opening. Will swat at scratcher tool if try to pet. Eyes wide. Growling. Ate more lickable treat on scratcher tool.  5/10/26 FB73 Momo is laying in the back of his cubby, eyes very wide and body tensing as the cubby door is opened. He is offered treats but did not respond to them, flinching and moving as if to flee. Momo is given a few moments to settle before further interaction is attempted. A squeeze up is placed on a tray and slowly slid to him and he takes a few seconds before hesitantly leaning forward to eat it. When petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, Momo leans away, low growls, and swats hard at the tool repeatedly to avoid contact. Squeeze up is left in the kennel with him and the interaction is ended to reduce stress. 5/13/26 Initially resting, but hisses with ears to the side. He sniffed the scratcher tool attempting to make contact but swats it off. However, he was curious during play session with the laser and head follows. 5/13/26 FB09 Momo was lying in his cubby, eyes dilated and his ears flattened. He cautiously approached to lick the treats offered to him. He is particularly treat motivated and began licking treats off the handler's fingers while returning slow blinks. When transitioning to pets, he moves away and retreats further back in his cubby. GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Shy ,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: See relevant behavior flyers. Momo has displayed fearful behavior during their stay in the care center and has displayed distance-increasing behavior with extended handling. Fear aggression can occur when a cat perceives a threat and may escalate if they cannot escape. A fearful cat will feel more relaxed when given options, so provide him with the chance to move closer, investigate, or interact with you. Be sure to offer incentive such as treats or play time whenever the cat makes a small positive step. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to desensitize your cat to their fear stimulus.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to behavior observed in the care center, adult only home.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Momo is laying at the back of his hidey cubby, eyes wide, body tense, and pupils dilated as the assessor approaches. When the cubby door is opened, he leans further away, pressing himself close to the back wall of the cubby. When he is softly spoken to and petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, Momo hisses and swats hard at the tool, ears back and beginning to low growl. The assessor gives him time to settle before attempting further interaction. They offer him a squeeze up on the scratcher tool and Momo leans away before continuing to low growl and swats hard repeatedly at the tool once again. Interaction is ended to reduce FAS. Momo is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He has tried to swat intensely and is extremely fearful in the shelter environment. He does not currently tolerate petting or handling. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.