Animal Profile
Lucia
Hello, my name is Lucia. My animal id is #226111. I am a desexed female black cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 3 years 2 months 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 5/13/2025, with the surrender reason stated as other.
Lucia 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 his 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.
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. Lucia 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 his 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 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'll need daily interaction with you as I get used to my new life. It could be with you! Click here to learn more about the adoption process!
My medical notes are...
Weight: 16.4 lbs
5/14/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: Reported 3y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Owner surrender due to moving in with boyfriend. Boyfriend's roommate has allergies. Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Hissing growling and lunging when approached. Elected sedation with 0.1ml dexmedetomidine 500mcg/ml, 0.1ml ketamine 100mg/ml, and 0.1ml butorphanol 10mg/ml IM provided adequate sedation. Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Evidence of Neglect seen-no Evidence of Trauma seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 9/9 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, green linear tattoo 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 obese Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks new home BG=196 most likely stress hyperglycemia 0.1ml antisedan IM SURGERY: already spayed
5/29/2025
Noted on symptoms board to be sneezing S: QAR, wet food eaten O: EEN- eyes clear, clear nasal discharge noted H/L- Eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion MSK/i- Ambulatory x4 Neuro- alert/appropriate A: Mild URI - r/o viral P: Fortiflora 1 packet PO SID x7d Recheck at end of course
6/5/2025
Recheck URI Patient is in den, BAR, hissing/growling Appears to have eaten overnight No ocular or nasal discharge noted, no sneezing A. URI cleared P. OK to move out of Iso
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 5. Red
Basic Information:: Lucia is a 1–3-year-old black female cat that has been previously spayed. surrender reason: roommates allergies
Previously lived with:: 2 adults
How is this cat around strangers?: curious with strangers and visitors
Behavior Notes: struggles and or squirms when nails are being trimmed. unbothered when picked up or held and when placed in carrier. will nip and swat if petted for too long
Energy level/descriptors:: medium
For a New Family to Know: Lucia is an indoor only cat that is noted to be very active and playful, loves to be where the people are. will fetch items such as bottle cap and toys. Used to getting interactive play time once a day. likes to scratch on carpet/fabric type of furniture. Lucia is very playful, loves playing with toys and hair ties, loves to cuddle with owner every night. loves both wet and dry foods and temptation treats
KNOWN HISTORY:: Lucia Previously lived with: 2 adults Behavior toward strangers: Curious Bite or Scratch history: None reported Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: medium Other notes: Lucia is an active, playful indoor cat who enjoys being around people. She loves interactive playtime, especially fetching items like bottle caps and toys, and is used to daily play sessions. Lucia enjoys cuddling with her owner every night and often plays with toys and hair ties. She tends to scratch on carpet or fabric furniture.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 5/28/25 Vol. Lucia was lying curled up inside den. She poked her head out to sniff treats on scratcher tool. Her eyes were narrowed, with dilated pupils. She hissed, then ate treats. She extended her neck further out of den to eat squeeze up from scratcher tool, but kept her body low to the ground and did not come all the way out of den. She made grumbling noises occasionally, but did not swat. She pawed at a plastic spring toy briefly, then lay down inside den facing away from opening. 5/31/25 FB47 Lucia was growling and moving inside her den, so any additional interaction was avoided. 6/11/25 Vol. Lucia was resting inside den. Her eyes and ears were neutral. She grumbled briefly when approached, then immediately came out of den to eat squeeze up from scratcher tool. She stood with her body slightly crouched and tail low behind her. After eating she began to bat at the tool playfully, so I offered a catnip mouse. Lucia picked up the mouse and went back inside den, and was no longer interested in interaction. 6/29/25 Vol. Resting in den. Poked head out and meowed once when spoken to, then snapped once with her mouth. Hissed when a treat was tossed in, but sniffed at them and came out to eat them when my back was turned. Ate more treats tossed through the bars, but continued to grumble, even while eating. Got upset when the kennel card was moved and swatted in that direction, then retreated to den. Quickly poked head out again and looked around, then ate a cup of squeeze-up and Temptations from the tool without swatting. But swatted again when closing the door with the stick, and grumbled and struck from within the den while cleaning.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Laid back,Subdued
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Curious,Timid,Skittish,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,New home adjustment period
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 4
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Upon approach, Lucia was inside her den and initially remained hidden. When the den cover was lifted, she slowly sat upright and hissed, appearing alert with wide eyes and ears forward. She showed some engagement by softly patting at the scratcher tool and ate treats offered on it. However, after finishing the treats, she low growled and avoided further contact, indicating discomfort or stress. She also swatted the scratcher tool during the 6/21/25 re-assessment. Lucia is not open to interaction at this time and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. Because her previous owner reports she is active and playful in a home environment, we believe the behavior seen in the care center is shelter-specific and this cat would make a great pet, but is really struggling in the shelter environment. This cat is suitable for adopters with previous cat experience who are willing to work with a cat who needs time and patience to help her adjust to their new home.