Animal Profile
Lightning Bug
Hello, my name is Lightning Bug. My animal id is #239095. I am a female gray tabby cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 1 years 1 months 2 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a stray on 10/12/2025.
Lightning Bug is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. She is now displaying signs of boredom. 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 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. Lightning Bug is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. She is now displaying signs of boredom. 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 and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. What my friends at ACC say about me: My favorite pastime is being visually admired! Pet me with your eyes! I prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets. I am looking for a home with a patient person. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I will flourish in a calm environment and a low-traffic home.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 6.9 lbs
10/13/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1-2 years old Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned neg History: Stray Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - tense body, allows all handling Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective: T = not performed P = WNL R = WNL BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Female, no spay scar or tattoo MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Assessment: Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks Fast track candidate SURGERY: Okay for surgery
10/23/2025
Progress exam S: QAR + resting in box in cubby O: EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge noted H/L: Eupneic, but sneezing ABD: Relaxed MSI: Ambulatory x 4, healthy haircoat CNS: Mentation alert/ appropriate A: Mild URI P: Fortiflora 1 packet PO SID x7d
10/25/2025
SO: BAR, curled up in box, when approached with treats, begins hissing and shrinks away. Food plates untouched 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 A: URI-mild P: not eating may be due to URI or FAS continue to monitor at this time
10/27/2025
Dry food appears disturbed. EEN: OS: partially closed with dried brown exudate on lids No nasal discharge RESP: Eupneic A: Conjunctivitis P: Consider oral doxycycline if persists rather than topicals to reduce FAS
10/28/2025
Eating wet food well in am
10/30/2025
SO: BAR, hissing when approached. Appears to be eating wet food with fortiflora and regular canned food eent: eyes clear, mild clear mucoid nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, repeated sniffling and sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-mild P: URI persists, but still very bright extending fortiflora 7 more days continue to monitor
11/3/2025
No respiratory symptoms
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
KNOWN HISTORY:: Lightning Bug was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on her behavior history in a home environment.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/15/25 PRIOR ASSESSMENT: Lightning Bug was resting in the litter box, alert and wary. She showed curiosity by sniffing a scratcher tool but then retreated. She briefly sniffed treats and allowed some petting along her body but remained cautious and hissed. The assessment was ended early to reduce her stress. 10/16/25 FB32 Lying down at back of top cubby, hisses when making eye contact upon approach. Continues to hiss when spoken to and opening the door. Walks up close to sniff treats offered by hand, then hisses and steps back. When pet on the head with the scratcher tool, she swats and hisses with both paws and rolls onto her back with both front paws up in a defensive position. I pause and wait for her to calm down, then pull the tool away and she crouches down at the back with a tense body, wide eyes, and tail pilo-erect. 10/17/25 FB73 Lightning Bug is laying at the back of the top cubby, hissing as the door is opened, pressing her body into the back wall. Treats are offered which she does not respond to. When soft talking to her, she continues to hiss, ears back, pupils dilated. When the door is closed, she rushes to the front of the cubby, crouching her body forward, tail pilo-erect, ears back and staring at me. When attempting to pet with the scratcher tool, she rolls onto her back, hissing and swatting at the tool. The door is closed again, and she stands to poke her head out of the portal exit, full body shaking. Interaction is ended and a cover is placed on her cubby to reduce FAS. *Enrichment Notes continued in GAN*
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Laid back,Subdued
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Curious,Timid,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments:: Initially reported to skittishly retreat during previous assessment/socializations, has shown improvement during cleaning/feeding times and remained calmed during most recent re-evaluation.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Lightning Bug was awake and in the main area of her cubby when the assessor approached. She calmly sat as the kennel door was opened and treats were offered. She sniffed the treats but did not eat them immediately. The assessor initially approached with the scratcher tool and Lightning Bug backed up and avoided contact. The assessor removed the tool and Lightning Bug returned to her calm state and sniffed the assessor's hand when greeted with that rather than the tool. Lightning Bug was offered squeeze up and ate it off the tray. As she was eating the treat, the assessor was able to make contact and slowly stroke the cheek and top of the head. She occasionally dodges her head away to avoid petting, but mainly showed tolerance during the evaluation. She repeats this back and forth motion after 3-5 repeated stroke with the assessor's finger. Pick up was not attempted. Lightning Bug tolerates brief attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. As she acclimates to the shelter, she is growing to be more confident in her space. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to her new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents.