Animal Profile
Taquito Chiquito
Hello, my name is Taquito Chiquito . My animal id is #248595. I am a female brown 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 2/28/2026.
Taquito Chiquito is on the At-Risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. She is extremely intelligent and high energy and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. Without providing activity for her mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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 feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid bite/scratch incidents.
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. Taquito Chiquito is on the At-Risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. She is extremely intelligent and high energy and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. Without providing activity for her mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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 feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid bite/scratch incidents. I am looking for a home with a patient person. I can be slow to adjust to new environments. I prefer to take things at my own pace. I will flourish in a calm environment and a low-traffic home. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. I would do best in a home with only adult humans. What my friends at ACC say about me: A volunteer writes: I visited Taquito again today and found her absolutely charming. She grabbed and swatted, but did so gently and playfully, no claws in sight. She spent a good deal of time rolling on her back and striking poses that seemed to invite tummy rubs, all the while chirping in a pretty hard-to-resist fashion. Taquito today was every bit the adorable one-year-old looking for a playmate who'll love her. Another volunteer writes:Taquito, although she would love to be home, appreciates very much to spend her time in our playroom. She is an energetic young gal who loves space and things to do, on her own or with a human friend. True, she is a bit puzzled by our intentions, as witnessed by her constant curiosity, her desire to mingle and the occasional little clawless swat she blesses my knee with. One sure thing, Taquito improved a lot since her arrival at the care center after having been found in a carrier laid on a bench. Taquito needs an experienced and patient adopter who will continue the shelter's efforts to socialize and acclimate her. I think and so much hope that Taquito will find happiness in the right hands...
My medical notes are...
Weight: 8.6 lbs
3/1/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1 to 3 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Hissing, swatting, lunging Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = 160 R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean adult teeth PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, CRT < 2, 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 Assessment: Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Sedated with Dexdomitor 0.5mg/ml 0.25 ml + Butorphanol 10mg/ml 0.25 ml IM Intake tasks Antisedan 0.1 ml IM SURGERY: Okay for surgery
3/4/2026
Feline Behavior requesting 2-week Gabapentin trial due to high FAS in care center. P: Gabapentin 100mg/ml 1ml PO BID x14d
3/13/2026
SO: BAR, comes to front of kennel for treats offered. Appears to be eating with good appetite eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, repeated sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-mild P: fortiflora 1 sachet with food PO SID x7d
3/17/2026
Staff note improvements with Gabapentin and pet is eating. Plan c/w Gabapentin until September 2026
3/20/2026
Recheck URI S: BAR at front of kennel and soft meowing/chirping at me. Dry food appears disturbed. Posturing as if in heat. O: EEN- eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge H/L- eupneic, normal respiratory effort, no appreciable sneezing or audible congestion MSK/i- Ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat Neuro- alert/appropriate A: No evidence of URI P: CTM in care
4/21/2026
Discontinued gabapentin due to improved behavior.
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 5. Red
KNOWN HISTORY:: Taquito Chiquito was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on her behavior history in a home environment.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: Prior assessment 3/15/36: Taquito Chiquito was curled up resting at the back of the kennel with her head tucked in and tail wrapped around her body upon approach. When spoken to and opening the door, she wakes up and stretches her body. She ignores treats offered and sniffs the assessor's hand, then she leans in hard for cheek rubs. She welcomes petting on the head but then tenses up and quickly looks back with her tail slightly pilo-erect when stroking her body. After the assessor pulls their hand away and gives her a few seconds to calm down, she continues to lean in hard for cheek rubs. When reaching around her body, lifting her up, and rotating her around, she tenses up and focuses on the assessor's hand. She continues to tolerate more petting and cheek rubs but then quickly turns and looks back at the assessor's hand and her body twitches when stroking her body. After closing the door at the end of the interaction, she eats treats offered. 3/13/26 ACFR Taquito was lying on top of his den when the handler approached. He gave a hiss as the handler opened the door but stayed on top of his den. Taquito Was offered squeeze up and slowly began to eat it. The handler tried to make contact with the scratcher tool which Taquito sniffed and avoided petting by. He would slowly start to bat at the tool. 3/27/26 Vol. Taquito was crouched at front of kennel, reaching her front paws out through the door. Her eyes were wide, with small pupils. She readily ate treats, then energetically played with a feather toy for several minutes. Her body was loose, and she appeared to have very high energy. She consistently grabbed at the toy and not my hands. Did not attempt petting due to high energy level. 3/29/26 Vol. Taquito was a little food crazed. I dropped one of her freeze-dried fish treats in the kennel, and she wolfed it down. I tried to engage her in play with a pipe cleaner toy. She occasionally tried to grab the toy, but then she quickly got distracted, sniffing around for more treats. When I closed the kennel door, though, she tried to grab my fingers. I tried to misdirect her with the pipe cleaner, but she was more interested in my fingers. 4/10/26 She relaxed comfortably and responded well to gentle interaction. During her first day of high-five training, she showed strong interest in treats and quickly learned to reach out with one paw on cue. While she still needs practice using her other paw without claws, the session was successful overall. The activity provided mental stimulation, helping reduce boredom and offering a positive outlet for her energy, which may also improve behavior.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Lively,Energetic
VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty
CHARACTER TYPE: : Social,Sweet,Demanding,Playful,Curious,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,Rough play,Very high energy level,New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments:: Taquito Chiquita is an active young cat who would benefit from increased mental and physical stimulation to appropriately direct her energy. We recommend using fishing pole-type toys as they allow for vigorous and stimulating exercise. Puzzle feeders will also keep Taquito Chiquito engaged and exercise her brain in addition to her body.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: Other,Adult only home
Recommendations comments:: Adult only home due to initial fearfulness and sensitivity with handling with potential to escalate. Taquito Chiquito has been observed in the care center to attempt to interact by pawing and swatting through the bars with neighboring cats. While this appears to be motivated by play, adopters should slowly introduce Taquito to resident pets and be prepared to redirect positively if Taquito is not respectful of their boundaries and warning signs.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Taquito Chiquito trills upon approach and readily seeks attention, and enjoying treats, with ears forward and an alert, engaged demeanor. She allows petting along her head and body, but after a few strokes may become overstimulated and begin to playfully nip while still continuing to solicit interaction. Taquito Chiquito tolerates attention and petting but may be stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to her new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.