Bubble Tea
Hello, my name is Bubble Tea. My animal id is #260528. I am a desexed female gray tabby cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 5 years 2 months 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 7/23/2026, with the surrender reason stated as animal behavior - too fearful.
Bubble Tea 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.
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. Bubble Tea 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: I have lived with cats in my previous home. I would like a home where there is another cat that I can play with! I can be slow to adjust to new environments. I prefer to take things at my own pace. 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. A volunteer writes: If we asked Bubble Tea (and she could tell us) she'd probably say that she isn't asking for a lot. A place to snuggle up and think her thoughts, dream her dreams and be her best kitty self with a family who supports that quest, albeit from a bit of a distance. And herein lies the caveat to what Bubble Tea so earnestly asks. Reportedly friendly and outgoing with other cats, Bubble Tea tends to shy away from human friends. She plays gently and enjoys sitting at a window, but might not be the type to twirl into your lap for pets. We've heard Bubble Tea is curious about other cats and plays gently with them as well. She's hoping you'll give her a chance.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 11.375 lbs
7/25/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: Reported 5y, exam agrees Microchip noted on Intake? scanned positive History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Hissing and striking at den door. Elected sedation to decrease FAS Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 8/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: adult dentition with minor tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: female spayed, left ear tipped MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment overweight Prognosis: fair Plan: Sedated for exam and tasks using 0.1ml dexmedetomidine 500mcg/ml, 0.1ml ketamine 100mg/ml, 0.1ml butorphanol 10mg/ml IM BG 241 mg/dL blood and voided urine sample to lab for small chemistry/cbc/fructoseamine and UA SURGERY: Already spayed
7/26/2026
PCV 45% wnl WBCs 3.5 k sl low Neuts 2k low Eos 0.1k/ul low BG 213 sl high kidney and liver values wnl Fructosamine 263 umol/l wnl UA table top s.g. 1.046 ph 6.5 wnl 2+ urine protein negative glucose no bacteria 2+ struvite r/o handling artifact vs other A: elevated bg r/o stress Mild neutropenia r/o inflammation vs infection vs idiopathic Good concentration of urine Plan CTM
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 5. Red
Upon intake, Bubbles yowled while in the lobby. She would attempt to flee or swat when approached.
Spay/Neuter status: Yes
Date of Intake: 7/23/2026
Is this cat having litter box issues?: No
If yes, Please elaborate:: Severe anxiety, will spray when frightened
Basic Information:: Bubbles is a 5 year old DSH cat. She is seeking a new home due to fear in the home. She has prior experience with adults and cats.
Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 1 cat
How is this cat around strangers?: Shy and timid. Actively avoids or retreats, stress meows.
How is this cat around children?: no experience
How is this cat around other cats?: Friendly and outgoing, plays gently, curious.
How is this cat around dogs?: no experience
Behavior Notes: Trim nails: never done Brush coat: enjoys with long handled brush Pick up or hold: stress meows Place in carrier: stress meows
Bite history:: none
Energy level/descriptors:: medium
Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No
For a New Family to Know: Bubbles is an independent and fearful cat. She prefers contact on her own terms and to watch the action from afar. She can usually be found watching out the window. Bubbles is used to interactive playtime once per day. She likes to play with water and toys that crinkly. She also likes to chase and pounce on toys and bugs. Bubbles plays gently. When on her own she likes to scratch on carpet/fabric, cardboard, and vertical surfaces. Bubbles is highly anxious and tends to hide in fear, and spray when scared or cornered. She has a sensitive stomach and is used to eating dry food. Bubbles is used to using an automatic litterbox with scented, clumping, clay litter.
KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Cat Previously lived with: 1 adult, 1 cat Behavior toward strangers: Shy and timid. Actively avoids or retreats, stress meows. Behavior toward children: No experience Behavior toward cats: Friendly and outgoing, plays gently, curious. Behavior toward dogs: No experience Bite or Scratch history: None Litter box training: Yes but will spray when frightened. She is spayed and has no medical issues, so this is most likely due to her anxiety. Energy level/descriptors: Medium Other notes: Trim nails: never done Brush coat: enjoys with long handled brush Pick up or hold: stress meows Place in carrier: stress meows Gets interactive playtime once per day. Bubbles is highly anxious and tends to hide in fear, and spray when scared or cornered. She has a sensitive stomach and is used to eating dry food.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 8/15/26 FB20 Bubbles is in her den with flattened ears and dilated eyes. She swats and hisses at scratcher tool. When she calms and removes her paw, the handler removes the tool. 9/4/26 Vol. In hidey box, could not see. Put in treat bowl, slight movement in box but could not see her. Approached box with hard treat on scratcher tool, Bubble Tea leaned out to sniff and pulled back. Let tool rest and she sniffed again and pulled back. Let tool rest and started to remove slowly - when tool was completely gone, she stuck head out to look, eyes round and pulled back. Approached again and let tool rest close to entry - no movement or reaction. Removed tool and ended interaction. Bubble Tea came out to eat treats - looked up when I came over to congratulate her. She finished treats, stood around a bit and darted back into box when saw movement in room. 9/10/26 Vol. Bubble Tea was inside her covered den upon approach. Previously served wet food remained untouched. When the den cover was lifted, her ears were tilted back as she turned her body toward the back of the den. With the kennel door closed, her body gradually appeared more relaxed. She turned her head toward the front while watching a laser light move around the kennel. She also watched a peacock feather slowly moving along the den window. The feather was gently introduced through the side opening of den and left in place for her to inspect. She sniffed it and exchanged two slow blinks in response to soft talking. A small amount of Churu was placed in a tray outside the den, and the kennel door was closed. She immediately extended her head and neck out of the den to eat the Churu while I remained seated in front of the kennel. The remainder of the wet treat was added to her wet food tray, and the interaction was paused. Upon return, she remained in a loaf position inside the den with her body facing the rear and her head turned toward the front. She had eaten the treat placed over the wet food. A catnip mouse was offered inside the den while the kennel was cleaned. The interaction concluded with wet and dry treats offered in a tray at the front of the kennel. Once the kennel door was closed, she came out of the den and ate from the tray while I remained in front of the kennel. 9/11/26 Treats were placed at the front of the kennel, and he slowly approached to eat them while remaining cautious. When the handler approached, he slowly retreated into the den and avoided contact, indicating that he was hesitant and uncomfortable with direct interaction at this time. CONTINUED IN GAN
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued
VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Pet-induced aggression,Fearful,New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments:: See appropriate behavior fliers.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: Other,Adult only home
Recommendations comments:: Due to observed behavior and behavior reported by the previous owner, adult only home. Bubble Tea was reported to enjoy the presence of other cats more than humans, so we highly recommend she be placed in a home with other cats.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 7/26/26 Bubble Tea was crouched in her den with dilated eyes and lunged at her den cover when the handler approached. She sniffed the treats offered to her and began heavy breathing, backing up further into her den. When pet with the click stick, she hissed repeatedly and continued avoiding contact. Interaction was ended to reduce FAS. 8/26/26 Bubble Tea is laying on top of her den, body tense and pressed close to the back wall as the assessor approaches. When she is spoken to softly and petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, Bubble Tea is tolerant of all petting with the tool but remains tense, flinches, and will lean away to avoid contact. Pickup is not attempted due to observed behavior. 9/26/26 Bubble Tea was crouched on the ledge in her kennel with dilated eyes, lowered ears and her tail wrapped around her legs. She let out a hiss when the handler approached but relaxed slightly at the sight of treats. When offering her treats on the click stick, she eagerly licked them up while returning slow blinks with the handler. She allowed a few pets using the click stick before squirming back. Bubble Tea tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter and may be intimidated by small children. She may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to her new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.
