Animal Profile
Paella
Hello, my name is Paella. My animal id is #165841. I am a desexed female white cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 5 years 1 months 2 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 3/21/2026, with the surrender reason stated as person circumstance- landlord won't allow (nycha).
Reserved
Someone has already placed a deposit on me. I'm no longer available.
Paella 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. Paella 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: Paella was in the back of the cubby appearing nervous, sitting on her hunches and sniffing treats, and when approached remained in place. Then, when pet she gave a single hiss, and on a second approach, she was given some squeeze-up treats, which she ate. She then allowed a little gentle petting on her head. Paella tolerates attention and petting but appears to be moderately 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 that she go to a home with some cat experience preferred and be well counseled in fearful cat behavior. My current foster writes: Perdi (now Paella) is very clingy and loves to be petted. Every morning I wake up, she's sleeping next to my pillow. And she's good with other cats as well. She likes to play with another (female) cat or toys. She is shy in the first but playful when she gets used to the environment. She is extremely smart. She knows her name Perdi, whenever I call her she will answer and run towards me. She's trying to use different sound to communicate with human. But all of this happens when she trusts you. In the beginning she needs patience and attentions. I've been sitting in the closet with her and playing her cat lullaby for like a week. Then she started to trust me. Yet she doesn't allow me to hold her, lift her or ground her paws. Probably as time goes she will. My previous foster writes: Hi there! My name is Perdi (now Paella), but my foster parents call me Mini Moo because I'm very small, and I kind of look like a cow. I really like attention and will snuggle up next to you, but only after I've had some time to get to know you. You'll know I'm ready for it if you dangle a hand and I give you a good headbutt. Maybe even with a running start if it took me a minute to gather my courage! Until then, you can help me feel comfortable with slow blinks and sweet talk, not making too many sudden movements when I'm around, and leaving me tasty treats! I'll blink back at you and talk to you with my squeaky meows. When I'm not hanging out with my favorite humans, my other hobbies are playing with balls and catnip toys, chasing the laser pointer and watching birds out the window. I'm udderly adorable and a delightful companion - can I mooooove in with you?!
My medical notes are...
Weight: 5.9 lbs
3/4/2023
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1 to 2 Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray seen in same area outside for 2 days. Finder concerned pet appears fearful and not eating food. Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - Hissed in carrier but easily placed in net. Pet tolerated palpation and was eventually taken out of net for full exam. Tense body for exam but did not escalate. Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Evidence of Trauma seen - No Objective P = 160 R = WNL BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted. Hemorrhagic crust and thinning hair left forehead. Oral Exam: Moderate gingivitis PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Female 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 Wood's Lamp: Negative Assessment Gingivitis Underweight Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks SURGERY: Ok for surgery
3/8/2023
Hx: post op BAR H eating eent- no nasal or ocular discharge hl- eupneic abd- relaxed ug- fs msi- amb x 4; incision is CDI neuro- nsf A) 1 day post op ohe- healing P) placement
3/7/2023
Pre-surgical exam, anesthesia, and surgery performed by offsite vet. Medical record uploaded to Vet Documents. Green linear tattoo placed lateral to incision. Start 0.45 ml meloxicam 0.5 mg/ml sid po x 2 days as pain management.
3/21/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned positive History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Tense, but allows all handling for exam and all tasks. Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Evidence of Neglect seen-no Evidence of Trauma seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: marked PDDZ with gingival recession and heavy calculus PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: female spayed 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 dental disease Prognosis: fair-good Plan: intake tasks new home recommend dental procedure with expected extractions SURGERY: already spayed
4/15/2026
Feline Behavior requesting 2-week Gabapentin trial due to FAS noted in care. P: Gabapentin 100mg capsule PO BID x14d
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow
Spay/Neuter status: Yes
Is this cat having litter box issues?: No
Basic Information:: Paella is an altered DSH white and black female cat who is 5 years old.
Previously lived with:: adults, other cats
How is this cat around strangers?: Shy and timid.
How is this cat around children?: No experience.
How is this cat around other cats?: Friendly and outgoing.
How is this cat around dogs?: No experience.
Behavior Notes: Displays defensive behavior. Is unbothered by having her nails trimmed or coat brushed but will struggle or squirm when picked up, held, or placed in a carrier.
Bite history:: No history.
Energy level/descriptors:: Medium
Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No
Medical Notes: No known allergies. Last vet check was on 03/05/2026
For a New Family to Know: She is described as an affectionate, talkative, calm, and loving indoor cat who spends most of he time i the bedroom of her home. She plays gently, likes scratching on wooden surfaces and her favorite treats are Churu's. She eats both wet and dry food, preferably, Purina for dry and Friskies for wet and is accustomed to having access to two covered litterboxes with clumping litter located in the living room of her home.
KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: adults, other cats Behavior toward strangers: Shy and timid. Behavior toward cats: Friendly and outgoing. Bite or Scratch history: none Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: medium Other notes: She is described as an affectionate, talkative, calm, and loving indoor cat who spends most of he time i the bedroom of her home. She plays gently, likes scratching on wooden surfaces and her favorite treats are Churu's. Is unbothered by having her nails trimmed or coat brushed but will struggle or squirm when picked up, held, or placed in a carrier.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: Prior assessment 4/2/26 Paella is pressed up against the back of the cubby with flattened ears and dilated eyes. She low growls when the door is opened, and continues to low growl while sniffing scratcher tool. Paella tolerates petting on her cheeks and gives a few slow blinks after the tool is removed. She continues to growl, skin rippling, when pet with the tool along her back. 4/10/26 Vol. Behind litter box, eyes round. Stuck head out of cubby to look when I came by to say hi and pulled back. Put treat bowl by cubby entry on shelf, Paella bent out to eat, eyes wide, ears forward, alert. Ate and bowl was knocked off shelf - she pulled back into cubby. Refilled bowl and put back on shelf - she hissed and after a few minutes stuck head out to eat. Finished bowl and pulled back. Refilled and put back on shelf - waited and she did not come back. Ended interaction. 4/17/26 Vol. paella was resting in cubby behind privacy paper. Her eyes were somewhat wide. She cautiously poked her head into main kennel to eat squeeze up from scratcher tool, then pulled back into cubby. She came further out into main kennel to eat more squeeze up, standing with her body crouched low and her tail down behind her. In response to a cheek rub with the scratcher tool, she turned away and walked back into cubby. She poked her head out again to eat more squeeze up, and leaned forward to sniff my hand, then patted it once without claws extended. 4/23/26 FB09 Upon opening the kennel door, Paella slowly approached to sniff treats, cautious but curious. She was particularly treat motivated, immediately showing interest in squeeze-ups and coming forward to eat. From there, she accepted head pets with the click stick but her eyes started to dilate when the handler began petting her head with their hands, and she proceeded to retreat to the back of the cubby.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Laid back
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Sweet,Timid,Skittish,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period,Adult cat socialization
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children
Recommendations comments:: No children under age 13, respectful older children only. Counselor discretion.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Paella was resting in her cubby when approached, appearing alert with soft eyes and relaxed, forward ears. She slowly retreated but tolerated contact with a scratcher tool along her head and body. She accepted treats throughout the assessment but intermittently hissed and kept her distance. The session was ended early to help reduce stress. Paella tolerates attention and petting but appears to be moderately 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 that she go to a home with some cat experience preferred and be well counseled in fearful cat behavior.