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Jasper

Hello, my name is Jasper. My animal id is #238635. I am a male black cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 4 years 1 months 3 weeks old.

I came into the shelter as a stray on 10/6/2025.

Reservation in progress

Someone is in the process of reserving me, check back in case the reservation is not finalized.

Jasper is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. 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 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. Jasper is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. 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 to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. Meet Jasper! Jasper came to us after being found alone in an apartment whose former tenants had been evicted. For months, a kind worker stopped by to feed and care for him until it was clear Jasper needed a more stable home. Understandably, he's still a little cautious-but he's also shown that with gentle voices, tasty treats, and patience, he'll start to lean in for cheek rubs and even eat from your hand. My Ideal Home Jasper would do best with an experienced cat adopter who understands shy cats and can give him the quiet, predictable space he needs to feel safe. Once he's comfortable, Jasper's soft side begins to emerge-he enjoys calm company and will reward patience with trust. A low-traffic home will help him blossom at his own pace. Good with Kids? Jasper would do best in an adult home or one with older, gentle children who can respect his boundaries. Good with Other Pets? His history with other animals is unknown, but given his timid nature, a slow, thoughtful introduction to other calm pets would be best. Overall Health Healthy overall, with mild dental tartar and ear mites treated upon intake. He keeps a tidy kennel and uses his litterbox reliably here at the Care Center. A volunteer writes: When you first meet Jasper, he might seem indifferent. Brought to the Care Center as a stray, he's likely a former house cat whose trust in humans isn't all that high right now. But stick around to chat with this handsome tuxie, and you'll see him start to exchange slow blinks.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 10.4 lbs

10/7/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3 to 6 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Immediately fled from staff, hissing. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = 160 R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, black debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Dental calculus on cheek teeth PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male intact MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses palpated, healthy hair coat CNS: Normal mentation - no abnormalities noted Assessment Dental disease stage 1/4 Ear mites Prognosis: Good Plan: Sedated with DKT feline pre-mix 0.4 ml IM (Dexdomitor 0.5 mg/ml 0.0125 mg/kg + ketamine 100mg/ml 5mg/kg + Butorphanol 10mg/ml 0.25 mg/kg) Intake tasks Selamectin 45 mg topical Antisedan 0.08 ml IM SURGERY: Ok for surgery

11/13/2025

Small vomit pile of undigested food in kennel. QAR, wet food eaten. A: Vomited undigested food- r/o eating too fast vs. other P: Monitor

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

KNOWN HISTORY:: Jasper was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment. Upon intake, he was very still and was very hard to get out of the cat trap. Showed a tense body but no aggression.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PREVIOUS ASSESSMENT 10/9/25 Jasper was hiding in the den lying down with a tense body and wide eyes upon approach. When spoken to and opening the door, he steps further back into the den and freezes. He ignores treats offered on the scratcher tool and leans his head back to look up and follow the tool when pet on the head. He lip licks and continues to stiffen his body and stand his ground when pet on the cheeks and body. Pick up was not attempted in order to reduce stress. 10/12/25 Vol. Jasper was lying on his side, head up, in the feral den. He was facing into the kennel. I put some treats in the front of the kennel and slow talked to him, but he didn’t move at all. 10/14/25 Vol Hiding in his privacy den. Also had no toys so gave him a fur-falle and a ball. Had no interest in Squeeze-ups. Growled at the cat dancer. Never came out of his den. 10/16/25 Ate offered treats while allowing pets along the head and body with the scratcher tool. He hissed after a few strokes, wary with his surroundings and shrank in place. Ended to help reduce stress. 10/17/25 Vol. In hidey box - could see a bit of side. No reaction to squeeze treat bowl. Approached with hard treats on tool. Saw slight movement but no other reaction. Let tool rest by entry. Removed and ended interaction. 10/18/25 Vol. In back of cubby, looking forward when approached, door opened and spoken to. Tenses up and hissed, slightly raises body when offered dry treats on scratcher tool. Lies down again. Left dry treats in front of him. Slow blink, tenses, offered squeeze up on scratcher tool. Sniffed, then ignored, lip licking occasionally. Stayed still when pet with scratcher tool on backside and cheek rubs. I gave slow blink. Allowed petting by hand, gave cheek rubs. 10/19/25 Vol. In back of cubby lying down, facing forward. Hissed when scratcher tool approached with dry treats offered. Sniffed treats. Left treats in front of him. Ate treats. Hissed when pet with scratcher tool and when offered squeeze up. Left more dry treats nearby by hand. Ate, will come a little closer to eat trail of treats. Allowed petting by hand, cheek rubs, top of head, along backside.  Ate treat directly from fingers.  10/21/25 FB47 Jasper was at the back of the cubby, appearing tense and curled up. When approached with treats, he hissed, and when approached a second time with catnip, he hissed again. 10/22/25 Vol. Jasper was curled up at back of cubby behind privacy paper. His tail was tucked loosely around his body, and one front paw was curled under him. He leaned forward to eat treats without getting up. He initially hissed when reaching a hand toward him, then appeared to relax, and returned slow blinks. He accepted another treat, and tolerated cheek rubs, eventually leaning in a bit. After a few moments he leaned away.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

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:: Jasper is laying in his cubby in a loaf position, getting up, scooting back, and hissing with his ears back as the cubby door is opened. The assessor offers him crunchy treats, and he hesitates for a moment before leaning forward to sniff at and eat them. He tolerates petting with the scratcher tool while eating treats on his head, shoulders, and down his back but remains tense and lip licks repeatedly as he is pet. Pickup was not attempted due to behavior. Jasper 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 his new home. We recommend this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, he 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.