Animal Profile
Jerry
Hello, my name is Jerry. My animal id is #228680. I am a desexed female gray tabby cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 1 years 2 months old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 6/13/2025, with the surrender reason stated as animal behavior - aggressive to other animals.
Jerry 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. For example, she may hiss or swat during basic animal care (feeding/cleaning time) even when safety tools are used. She has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. 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. Jerry 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. For example, she may hiss or swat during basic animal care (feeding/cleaning time) even when safety tools are used. She has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. 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'm an independent kitty who likes to do my own thing. 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 do best in a home with only adult humans. Jerry is not open to interaction at this time and may not tolerate petting or handling at time such as during basic animal care and working around her kennel space. Because her previous owner reports she is friendly with people 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. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, home with adopters who are willing to work with a cat who needs time and patience to help her adjust to her new home.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 10.4 lbs
6/14/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: Reported 1y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned positive History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Growling and hissing when approached in den. Elected sedation to decrease FAS. 0.15ml dexmedetomidine 500mcg/ml, 0.1ml ketamine 100mg/ml, 0.15ml butorphanol 10mg/ml IM. Provided light, but adequate sedation Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Evidence of Neglect seen-no Evidence of Trauma seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 7/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: adult dentition with minor stainging 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, clip from spay growing in CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment overweight Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks new home 0.1ml antisedan IM SURGERY: already spayed
7/23/2025
On 7/23/25 at approximately 9:00 AM, Jerry was examined. The patient has appropriate mentation at this time (no neurological signs present) and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at MACC. Hx: on DOH for biting/scratching a person BAR H eent- no nasal and no ocular discharge hl- clear and eupneic msi- ambulatory x 4; bcs- 5/9 neuro- no apparent deficits A) no apparent neuropathy present P) DOH observation
7/23/2025
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8/1/2025
SO: Due for release from rabies observation BAR, sitting at front of kennel, meowing, eating with good appetite 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, no neurological deficits appreciated at this time A: no clinical signs of rabies appreciated P: Patient has appropriate mentation at this time (no neurologic signs present) and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at MACC.
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow
KNOWN HISTORY:: Jerry was brought in with limited information on her behavior history in a home environment. Reported to not get along with resident dog, hisses at the dog. Other than that, the cat is friendly with people.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 7/9/25 Vol. Jerry was sitting upright near back of kennel. She gave a soft meow and some slow blinks, then came forward a bit. She sniffed at squeeze up on scratcher tool, sniffing the scratcher all over for a while before eating. When offered more squeeze up, she very slowly reached out with her paw and pulled the scratcher tool toward herself to eat. 7/14/25 ACFR Laying on top of her den, hissing as she is approached. Treats are offered on the scratcher tool, which she pauses to sniff but does not eat. Petting on the head and cheeks is attempted with the scratcher tool, and brief contact is able to be made before she hisses, swats hard, and retreats into her den. When spoken to softly, she is able to be coaxed back out of her den to come forward and sit at the front of her kennel. She is offered a churu and once again sniffs it but doesn't eat it. One more attempt at petting is made and she flinches away, low growls, and lifts a front paw, avoiding contact. Treats are left in kennel and interaction is ended.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Curious,Timid,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments:: Bite/scratch history: On 7/22/25, Jerry was in a feral den while a Volunteer was cleaning his kennel. When volunteer was finished cleaning the kennel, she used her gloved hand to open the side door of the feral den. As she was opening it, Jerry scratched her causing a very minor abrasion. She washed the wound and went home and is not seeking medical attention She may be a risk of biting/scratching staff and volunteers. In shelter, Jerry has a history of batting/swatting when reaching close or working around her kennel space when receiving basic animal care such as during cleaning and feeding times. She has also been observed to hiss or bite at safety tools in use.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 4
RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home,No dogs
Recommendations comments:: Adult only home due to fearfulness and bite/scratch history. Reported to not get along with resident dog in previous home.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 06/17/25: Upon approach, Jerry is in her den. As the den cover is lifted, she hisses, pupils dilated, and lip licks. Assessor offers treats on the scratcher tool and she slowly pokes her head out to sniff but does not take them. Petting is attempted with the scratcher tool and as contact is made she hisses and bites hard at the tool. Pickup is not attempted due to behavior. 7/30/25: Jerry was lying down in loaf position on top of the den with a tense body and wide eyes. She leans her head forward to sniffs treats offered on the scratcher tool, and then lip licks and steps back when reaching close to pet. She continues to sniff and investigate the tool and allows petting on the cheeks and body, looking back and remaining focused on the tool, and tolerates gentle upward pressure on her chest. After removing the tool away, she climbs down, retreats into the den to hide, and allows a brief touch on her rear. When closing the door, she poke her head out to hiss, lip lick, and remain hidden in the den. Jerry is not open to interaction at this time and may not tolerate petting or handling at time such as during basic animal care and working around her kennel space. Because her previous owner reports she is friendly with people 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. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, home with adopters who are willing to work with a cat who needs time and patience to help her adjust to her new home.