Animal Profile
Pj
Hello, my name is Pj. My animal id is #253413. I am a male brown tabby cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 6 years 1 months old.
I came into the shelter as a aco - owner surrender on 5/1/2026, with the surrender reason stated as person circumstance- death of owner.
Pj 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. Pj 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. What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! I have lived with cats in my previous home. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I'll need daily interaction with you as I get used to my new life. Hi, my name is Pj and the shelter has been a little overwhelming for me. I came from a home with many cats, who I've gotten along with well. Because I've lived in this home my entire life and have only been around one person, I have little experience with people and am hesitant of new experiences. I would enjoy living in a quiet home, preferably one with lots of vertical space so I have a place to perch and observe the room. I would also appreciate having experienced, patient adopter(s) who are willing to take things slow with me. I would benefit from socialization, using rewards whenever I make a small positive step like making eye contact, allowing petting, or sniffing your hand. I'd prefer to take things at my own pace and would appreciate some good old fashion TLC. If you can open your heart to adopt a cat like me, I'll hopefully have the confidence to come around to my new people, like you!
My medical notes are...
Weight: 12.8 lbs
5/3/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 6 to 8 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Striking, hissing Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = 160 R = WNL BCS 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, black debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Moderate tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male intact MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: WNL externally Assessment: Ear mites Dental disease stage 2/4 Prognosis: Good Plan: Sedated with Dexdomitor 0.5mg/ml 0.3 ml + Butorphanol 10mg/ml 0.3 ml IM Intake tasks Selamectin 45 mg topical Antisedan 0.15 ml IM SURGERY: Okay for surgery
5/7/2026
SO: BAR, appears to be eating with good appetite eent: eyes clear, serous nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated, congested msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI mild P: fortiflora 1 sachet PO SID x7d
5/13/2026
Recheck mild URI S: BAR on top of den, hissing. Dry food appears disturbed. Wet food dried out and untouched O: EEN- eyes clear, no ocular or nasal discharge H/L- eupneic, no appreciable sneezing or audible congestion MSK/i- ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat. Neuro- alert/appropriate A: No evidence of URI P: CTM in care
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 4. Orange
KNOWN HISTORY:: Pj was brought in from a hoarding situation with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. Pj lived in a home with 10+ other cats.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 5/2/26 Pj was crouched on top of his den, hissing and spitting when the shorline cover was lifted, and ended to help calm down and reduce his stress. 5/6/26 Vol. PJ was sitting upright, tail wrapped tightly, towards the front of the kennel upon approach, pupils dilated and ears fluctuating up and sideways, between airplane ears and up. No hissing or spitting. He tenses as crunchy treats are dropped gently into the kennel, and he continues to stare despite blinks and sweet talk. When approached with a pipe cleaner toy, he tried to rub his cheek on it, then backed away as it was attached to the bars, hissed quickly and skulked away, hopping on top of the den, settling in loaf and closing his eyes. Attempts to scratch his forehead with the green pointed were dodged. Still needs time but may be improving. 5/7/26 FB09 Pj was perched on the top of his den, pupils dilated but squinting. When treats were extended out towards him, he began backing up, but after placing the Squeeze-ups down in front of him, he cautiously came forward and began licking them up. When attempting to pet him with the click stick, he backed away again and began huffing, so the handler ended the interaction there. 5/9/26 Vol. On top of den, hunched position facing forward when approached, door opened and spoken to. Offered dry treats on scratcher tool. Watched while I left treats on top of den near him but didn't come closer to eat any. Offered lickable treats on scratcher tool. Leaned ed away slightly when pet with scratcher tool. Then moved backwards when approached with scratcher tool to pet. Changed litterbox. Stayed on top of den box. 5/12/26 Hesitant leaning away from the scratcher tool when attempting to make contact. However, when still he briefly allows along his head. While he still hard stared the interaction ended to help reduce stress. 5/15/26 Vol. PJ was resting on top of the den in a covered kennel at the start of the interaction. He was spoken to softly as he ate a Delectables bisque treat offered in a tray. He tracked the gentle movement of a feather toy along the inside wall of the kennel with forward ears. He winced slightly when the toy came too close to him. The feather toy was placed on top of the den, and he slowly sniffed it. He maintained forward ears and relaxed, downward whiskers. A tray of Temptations treats was placed in front of him, and he eventually began eating the treats. He flinched slightly at a slow attempt to pet his forehead with a scratcher. He later settled into a loaf position and appeared drowsy. A blanket was added to the top of the den, and he curled up to it. He tracked the slow movement of a laser light with his eyes until the interaction concluded Continued In Gan~
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period,Adult cat socialization
Potential challenges comments:: See relevant behavior flyers.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home
Recommendations comments:: Due to behavior observed in the care center and appearing under socialized, adult only home.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 05/04/26 Pj is laying on top of his den, body tense and pressed against the back wall, eyes wide, pupils dilated, and ears back as the assessor approaches. Treats are gently tossed towards him, and he leans forward to sniff at them but doesn't eat them, pulling back, stiffening, and staring at the assessor with a tense body. A squeeze up is offered on the scratcher tool, but he does not respond to it. Pj is tolerant of all petting with the scratcher tool but remains tense, ears going back, flinching and leaning away as he is pet. Pj holds up a paw throughout most of the interaction but did not strike or escalate further. 06/04/26 Pj was lying in his cubby with dilated eyes and ears to the side. He hissed when the door opened but calmed down when offered treats. He sniffed the treats offered to him but showed no further interest in them. He allowed very brief pets with the click stick before fleeing his cubby to hide in the other cubby. Pj is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is very apprehensive of people and while showing no aggressive behaviors, he may attempt to flee and avoid human contact. It is difficult to predict if he will respond to socialization, but we recommend offering high value treats and food to help build a positive association to humans. Please be mindful that older cats will require more time and skill in order for them to be comfortable around people.