Animal Profile
Jackfruit
Hello, my name is Jackfruit. My animal id is #236417. I am a male brown tabby cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years 1 months old.
I came into the shelter as a agency on 9/10/2025.
Jackfruit is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him 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. Jackfruit is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, it is in his best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him 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. Jackfruit tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. A volunteer writes: Jackfruit's guardian passed away and the world hasn't felt right for him since. He lived with other cats, but has found himself here where we've been scrambling to find something that might interest him. We knew we were starting at the beginning because we don't know much else about his life before, but after all the toys and treats, we've mostly come up empty and have been left trying to reassure Jackfruit that there will be better days and I think that's ok. Part of being a friend is meeting someone where they are and supporting them on their path. We know Jackfruit's path includes a place where he can be himself and gain the confidence he needs to be the best cat he can be.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 6.8 lbs
9/12/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2 years based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner passed away leaving behind 10+ cats Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - growling + hissing in den, unable to handle without sedation -- sedated using 0.2 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.2 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) IM. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear OU, ears clean AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, mild tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4 (prior to sedation), no ectoparasites noted, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities (prior to sedation) Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Apparently healthy Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort + behavior assessment 0.2 ml antisedan IM SURGERY: Okay for surgery
10/8/2025
Dispensing gabapentin 100mg PO q12h while in shelter due to high FAS.
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 4. Orange
KNOWN HISTORY:: Jackfruit was brought in with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 9/23/25 Vol Hiding in privacy den. Started growling as soon as I approached kennel and never stopped. I tried Squeeze-ups, the cat dancer and the laser, but he just growled at everything. He never came out of his den. 9/25/25 Vol Sitting in his privacy den with his head poking out. Hissed and growled when I approached kennel. Growled at Squeeze-ups on clicker. Hissed at cat dancer and tassel toy. Ended interaction to avoid any more FAS. 9/26/25 Vol 1/2 out of hidey box, ears forward, hissed as I read report. Opened door to put in treat bowl - head out of box, ears flattened, hissed. Pushed bowl a little closer, no movement, no hissing. Let everything rest and kept sweet talking. Jackfruit kept watch but ears started to come up and forward. Eyes started to move around. Sweet talked some more and ended interaction. Jackfruit stayed in box entry. 9/29/25 FB47 Jackfruit was in the den and barely poked his head out, and he began hissing when he heard and saw the assessor nearby. He also growled and ignored the treats that were offered. 10/04/25 Vol Inside den box looking at me when approached. Hissed and low growling when opening the door. Growling throughout the interaction. Left dry treats in the middle of the kennel. He gave me one slow blink after my first slow blink to him but not after giving him more slow blinks. 10/7/25 FB47 1st - Hissed when spoken to then stopped and I marked. 1st - Hissed when spoken to then stopped and I marked. 10/08/25 FB32 1st - Hiding in den, only his rear body is visible through the side door. Tense and calm upon approach, but when opening the door, he hisses and begins growling. He continues for 15 seconds, then calms down. I marked and began closing the door, but then he hissed and growled again. I waited until he stopped and calmed down, then I marked again, closed the door, and left. 2nd - Hiding in the den with his head visible through the side door. When I place my hand on the door, I pause and look away because he begins growling with wide eyes. I wait for about 30 seconds and he calms down but still alert, then I mark and leave. 10/10/25 FB32 1st - Hiding in den crouched down with tense body and alert eyes. His eyes widen when I continue to look at him, then his eyes soften, but still alert, when I look away. When I reach close and unlock the carabiner, he softly hisses and low grumbles. I stay still for about 15 seconds until he calms down and relaxes. Then, I mark and leave. 2nd - Same spot and body posture. Upon approach he whines and widens his eyes. I wait for him to stop whining, then I look away. His eyes soften a little bit, and then I mark and leave. 3rd - Much calmer body language upon approach, but still fearful. When I reach close unlock the carabiner, he remains calm and alert. I stay and wait for 1 minute, then mark and leave. ~~ GAN
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Curious,Timid,Skittish,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Jackfruit is an alert and cautious cat. He watched from atop the den with wide eyes and forward ears. He allowed limited petting with a scratcher tool along his head and body but gradually retreated. He ignored treats, and the assessment was ended early to reduce stress. Jackfruit tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents.