Animal Profile
Thistle
Hello, my name is Thistle. My animal id is #224195. I am a desexed female brown tabby cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 5 years 3 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a agency on 4/9/2025.
Thistle 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.
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. Thistle 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: Cheek and chin scratches make me so happy! I prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets. 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 would do best in a home without very tiny humans, although I could be open to older human children once I meet them. A volunteer writes: Thistle was left in her carrier with another cat in a building lobby and they waited hours for someone to offer help. Thankfully someone did but it hasn't exactly been smooth sailing. Thistle sits like the brightest star among an ever evolving constellation of toys, which reflects her brilliantly unique approach to shelter life. Basically, she sits in her den and waits for us to bring her things, which we do because we want so much to demonstrate that we'll be here when she's ready to come out and join us and we'll love her just the same if that's not who she wants to be at the moment. Though Thistle had been snuggled up in her den, she tried to back herself into the corner when I opened the condo door. I shared some gifts by way of toys and treats and left her to her thoughts. Thistle's hoping someone will give her a chance to shine as she's meant to.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 7 lbs
4/9/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4-5 years based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned positive History: Acquired by agency, found in lobby Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - allows handling but persistently tries to flee without firm restraint, no interest in treats/food offered Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = 200 bpm R = WNL BCS: 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, fractured left maxillary canine tip, 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, spayed female, green 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 Fractured tip of L maxillary canine Moderate PDDZ Spayed female Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort/behavior sort SURGERY: Already spayed
4/13/2025
DVM Assessment- bite hold Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - at rear of den, dilated pupils, hypervigilant Objective EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: no drooling, no externally visible abnormalities H/L: eupneic ABD: No obvious distension MSI: appears to be well conditioned with complete coat and no visible masses CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: - high FAS - apparently healthy Prognosis: - excellent Plan: - monitor while in care
4/23/2025
SO: Due for release from rabies observation BAR, crouched inside of den. Backs away when approached 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, no neurological deficits appreciated at this time A: no clinical signs of rabies appreciated P: Patient has appropriate mentation at this time (no neurologic signs present) and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at MACC.
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow
KNOWN HISTORY:: Thistle was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on her behavior history in a home environment.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 4/26/25 Vol. Thistle has been inside her den and did not respond to a treat extended on the tool toward the portal and ignores the dry treats I had left. When I lift the den cover, she’s looking forward with wide eyes and dilated pupils and tightens up her body in loaf, but doesn’t hiss or growl. Thistle seems fearful and may need more time to get comfortable. 4/27/25 Vol. Hiding in den out of sight, but had come out and eaten all breakfast. No sign of movement or sound as the tool approached or when a cup of Temptations and squeeze-up was dropped in. Raised cover to peek and was facing forward with a tense, slightly shaking body, and wide eyes, then pulled back farther into den. After 10 minutes, had not eaten and remained scrunched in the back of the den. 5/3/25 Vol. Thistle was lying inside her den, facing out and making eye contact, not blinking with ears and whiskers neutral. She showed no interest in dry or squeeze up treats but did not swat at the tool either. I left to reset, and upon return Thistle had repositioned herself inside the den to avoid eye contact, and was found scrunched up in the far left corner when the den cover was lifted. Still reluctant to interact.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Timid,Skittish,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments:: Bite/scratch history: On 4/13/25, the handler was transporting Thistle from Cat Holding to Cat Adoptions Room #2. When transferring Thistle from the den into the kennel, she tried to jump out the den and flee. The handler managed to catch her, but Thistle bit and scratched the handler and hid under the kennels. A net was used to catch her and then was transferred into a den.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children
Recommendations comments:: No young children under 13 years old due to bite/scratch history and skittish/fearful behavior. Counselor discretion is advised.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 04/12/25: Thistle was resting in her den when approached and became alert with wide eyes after the cover was lifted. She slowly retreated while observing the room from a distance. She accepted petting through the side portal, first with a scratcher tool and then the assessor's hand. She ate treats and leaned into touch but stayed still. During pick-up, she was tense but continued to tolerate attention once placed back down. 04/21/25: Thistle is a shy, timid, and independent cat. She was hiding in the den crouched down with a tense body and wide eyes. She ignores treats offered on the scratcher tool and allows petting on the head, cheeks, and body but does not engage with attention. While interacting with her in the den, she slowly crawls out and retreats to the other side kennel with a low body and tail when stroking her back as she walks across. She crouches down, and when the assessor opens the other kennel door to reach close, she gets up, walks across the portal door, and returns to hiding in the den. Pick up was not attempted in order to reduce stress. Thistle tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to her new home. We recommend this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, she 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.