Animal Profile
Lazuli
Hello, my name is Lazuli. My animal id is #257664. I am a female black cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 1 years 2 months 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a stray on 6/20/2026.
Lazuli 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. While she has warmed up to allowing brief pets in shelter while eating treats, she remains wary of petting and handling. 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. Lazuli 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. While she has warmed up to allowing brief pets in shelter while eating treats, she remains wary of petting and handling. 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: 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 would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. A volunteer writes: Lazuli was brought to us in a pillowcase and without much information. That's a tough start but it's ok! We can always work with what we've got and what we're given to help us learn what the best forever family for someone looks like. It's just that Lazuli hasn't been particularly forthcoming. Loafed on top of her little den on a little nest of blankets, Lazuli greeted me like she was already totally over my visit. This is both completely fine and fair, but Lazuli's lack of interest in treats, toys, and pets have served to show us that she's in need of a little extra patience, a lot of extra love, and time to become the cat she wants to be. Another volunteer writes: Lazuli, brought to us in a pillow case by her finder is a young gal who needs a new beginning and a new history. Whatever life she had before entering our shelter took a toll on her. A kennel did not make her feel any better...Lazuli did not care for our efforts to acclimate her until she did, time helping too of course. Yep, Lazuli has been with us for more than two months! She is in adoptions now, often seen resting quietly in her cubby or in her"living room". She comes forward when her door is opened, samples treats and really plays well with catnip toys(on her own) and feather wands. She can get a little overexcited and might lightly swat(most often without nails)with petting. Lazuli needs a chance at a better life in a quiet adult only home with a patient, experienced and caring new owner who will make her feel safe, worthy and loved. Will you be Lazuli's Lucky Star?
My medical notes are...
Weight: 9.1 lbs
6/21/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1 to 2 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Growling and striking after initial vaccines. 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 Wood's Lamp Exam: Not done Assessment: Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Sedated with Dexdomitor 0.5mg/ml 0.2 ml + Butorphanol 10mg/ml 0.2 ml IM Intake tasks Antisedan 0.1 ml im
6/21/2026
Growling and hissing. Plan Gabapentin 100mg contents of 1 capsule po in food bid x 2 days
7/11/2026
Staff note pet hissing, growling. A: High FAS Plan Gabapentin 100mg/ml 1 ml in food bid while in shelter
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 4. Orange
Upon intake, cat was fearful but allowed staff to open pillowcase and scan for MC. She allowed staff to transfer to den and collar. She was very food motivated. After being moved while in the den, cat began to growl.
KNOWN HISTORY:: Lazuli was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on her behavior history in a home environment.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 7/6/26 FB73 Lazuli is sitting upright in her den, eyes wide and pupils dilated as the handler approaches. When the kennel door is opened and the blanket is shifted to look into the den door, she begins hissing. Petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, and Lazuli continues to hiss and swat at the tool. Interaction is ended to reduce stress. 7/8/26 FB73 Lazuli is sitting on top of her den, pupils dilated and tensing as handler approaches. When the kennel door is opened, she leans back slightly. The handler speaks to her softly and attempts to offer a squeeze up using the scratcher tool, and Lazuli swats at it a few times, with light pressure, before placing her paw on the tool and pushing it down to avoid contact. 7/10/26 FB09 Lazuli was lying in a loaf position on top of her den and watched the handler carefully with dilated eyes. She sniffed the treats offered to her and took a couple licks before returning her attention to the handler. She accepted some head pets with the click stick while squinting, eventually moving back slowly. Coming along well. 7/12/26 FB09 Lazuli was lying curled on top of her den and lifted her head to look at the handler with soft, neutral eyes. She showed no interest in the treats offered to her, remaining in a curled position. She returned a slow blink at the handler and allowed the handler to briefly pet along her head and back. She remained calm through the duration of the interaction.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate
VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty
CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Shy ,Calm,Curious,Timid,Skittish,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments:: See relevant behavior flyers.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home
Recommendations comments:: Due to observed behavior, adult only home.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 06/24/26 Lazuli remained alert throughout the assessment, observing from atop the den with wide eyes. She showed curiosity by sniffing offered treats but slowly retreated and emitted a low growl when contact was attempted with the scratcher tool. She then swatted without using her claws and moved into the den. Afterward, she hissed and maintained her distance for the remainder of the assessment. The interaction was ended to help reduce her stress. 07/24/26 Lazuli was lying on top of her den and perked up with dilated eyes when the handler approached. She let out a meow and cautiously approached the front of her kennel, sniffing the treats offered to her. She eagerly began licking them up while allowing pets along her head and back. After she finished eating, she accepted a few more brief petting before flinching back and raising her paw. Though pick up was not done, she remained at the front of the kennel with the handler as her eyes gradually softened. 08/24/26 Lazuli is laying relaxed in the middle of her cubby, observing the assessor with neutral eyes and body as they approach. When the cubby door is opened, she remains in her laying position in the middle of the cubby. Treats are offered and she comes forward to quickly eat them. When petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, she is tolerant of brief petting on the head and cheeks before flinching back and lightly swatting at the tool. Lazuli tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or 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.