Animal Profile
Nala
Hello, my name is Nala. My animal id is #230291. I am a desexed female gray cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 16 years 1 months old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 7/26/2025, with the surrender reason stated as person circumstance- owner elderly.
Nala has been placed on the at-risk list for medical reasons. She is elderly, delicate, and hyperthyroid. She needs care and attention that we cannot provide.
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. Nala has been placed on the at-risk list for medical reasons. She is elderly, delicate, and hyperthyroid. She needs care and attention that we cannot provide. A volunteer writes: A shelter is not a place for a sixteen year old pet but sometimes, an owner, mostly elderly and ailing does not have any other option. Nala was a family pet for all her life. She is said to be a quiet, talkative, friendly and affectionate lapcat. She lived with only one person, met children occasionally and was friendly to them. Until she came to the care center, Nala never met a dog or a cat. Nala was found to be hyperthyroid and was started on methymazole, a medication given easily twice a day for the rest of her life. Nala is an easy going dame, very pretty, petite and who does not look her age. She seems to like the attention, leans gently into pets and even gives little bursts of head bunts. Nala is clearly a good cat, a senior in need of a soft bed, a welcoming lap and a loving new owner for the rest of her golden years, . Will you open your heart and home to sweet Nala? ]
My medical notes are...
Weight: 5.8 lbs
7/27/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 16 years based on the condition of teeth and eyes Microchip noted on Intake? Positive History: Owner surrender Subjective: Q-BAR H pink Observed Behavior - Body tense but easily examined Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Evidence of Trauma seen – No Evidence of Neglect- No Objective P = 200hr R = 40rr BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes- IAOU, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: 3/4 dental disease PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: FS; has tattoo MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat; underweight CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: Underweight geriatric- suspect chronic disease dental disease Prognosis: Guarded Plan: Intake procedures CBC/CHEM/T4/UA (cysto)- pending
7/28/2025
Blood and Urine Results: elevated T4- 5.9 microg/dl (N high 4.7) Mild hematuria r/o collection technique vs secondary to inflammation vs other P) canned food only and ideally SO Royal Canin diet or CD Hill diet Methimazole- 5 mg sig: 1/4 tab po q 12 hrs (monitor appetite closely and if not eating well, stop methimazole)
7/30/2025
SO: In medical on treatment for hyperthyroidism BAR, sitting inside of den. Accepts pets. Has eaten all food offered in kennel 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: hyperthyroid P: continue current treatment plan
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
Date of Intake: 7/26/2025
Is this cat having litter box issues?: Yes
If yes, Please elaborate:: urinating outside of the litterbox perhaps due to age but owner was not entirely sure of the reason and she is the only cat in the home.
Basic Information:: Nala is a senior cat around 17-18 years old that was given to surrendering owner about 10 years ago. surrender reason: cannot care for as they are elderly.
Previously lived with:: 1 adult
How is this cat around strangers?: with strangers she is noted to stress meow, is shy and will hide
How is this cat around children?: with children having spent time when they would come over, she is noted to be shy and timid but curious, friendly and outgoing.
Energy level/descriptors:: low
Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No
Medical Notes: last vet visit was in July 2025
For a New Family to Know: Nala is noted to be sometimes withdrawn, can be a lap cat. She is quiet yet talkative when needed to be. playful, affectionate and friendly. Nala is an indoor only cat that likes to hang out in the bedroom, window and living room as well as on top of the cabinets. Plays gently, like to play hide and seek, will fetch items. Likes to scratch on cardboard, vertical, horizontal surfaces and carpet/fabric. likes to eat both wet and dry foods, meow mix and pounce cat treats.
KNOWN HISTORY:: Nala Previously lived with: 1 adult Behavior toward strangers: stress meow, is shy and will hide Behavior toward children: Having spent time when they would come over, she is noted to be shy and timid but curious, friendly and outgoing. Bite or Scratch history: None reported Litter box training: It’s possible that, due to age, Mimi has had accidents in the home. The previous owner did not pursue further steps to determine whether the cause was medical or behavioral. Energy level/descriptors: low energy level Other notes: Nala is noted to be sometimes withdrawn, can be a lap cat. She is quiet yet talkative when needed to be. playful, affectionate and friendly.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Laid back
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Sweet,Easy going,Curious
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 2
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Nala is a calm and gentle cat who enjoys quiet attention. She stays relaxed with soft eyes and forward ears, happily accepting petting along her head and body while giving sweet head bunts. Though she was a bit tense during pick-up, she continued to tolerate affection once settled back down. Nala interacts with the observer, appreciates attention, is easy to handle and tolerates all petting. This cat is showing behavior appropriate for cat parents with either an average amount of cat experience and demonstrate a basic understanding of typical cat behavior.