Animal Profile
Baby Boo
Hello, my name is Baby Boo. My animal id is #250470. I am a desexed female gray cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years 2 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 3/25/2026, with the surrender reason stated as animal behavior - too unsocial.
Baby Boo is on the At Risk list due to behavior. Her owner describes her as a friendly, affectionate, very active, playful, talkative, couch potato, who prefers contact on her own terms. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. 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. Baby Boo is apparently healthy.
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. Baby Boo is on the At Risk list due to behavior. Her owner describes her as a friendly, affectionate, very active, playful, talkative, couch potato, who prefers contact on her own terms. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. 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. Baby Boo is apparently healthy. What my friends at ACC say about me: Baby Boo is not open to interaction at this time and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. Because her previous owner reports she is friendly and affectionate 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 their new home. A volunteer writes: Baby Boo's hoping you'll listen with your heart when you come to meet her. She knows it's a tad unconventional, especially when we're surrounded by chirping and purring kitties, but listening with my heart proved to be entirely worthwhile and showed a very important glimpse of who Baby Boo is. For all of the wonderful things she in fact is, a fan of new experiences isn't one of them. First impressions and everything they encompass are nearly constant at the shelter but not at all her thing. Thankfully for all, her previous guardian, who cherished Baby Boo but could no longer care for her due to circumstances outside her control, left notes detailing a truly spectacular companion. We've heard Baby Boo's a starrily affectionate couch potato who loves to be held and seeks to spend her time wherever her people are. It might be a little difficult to reconcile that with the kitty I saw who refuses to leave her den when people are present, but here's where listening with your heart comes into play. Baby Boo has been through some very big changes recently and doesn't love the shelter, but hopes you'll come in and visit her.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 10.22 lbs
3/26/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2 years based on dentition, consistent with owner notes Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned positive History: Owner surrender due to owner's own declining health Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - tense but allows all handling Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, mild staining PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, spayed female, green tattoo noted MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: Apparently healthy Spayed female Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake task + exam Await sort SURGERY: Already spayed
4/4/2026
Feline Behavior requesting 2 week Gabapentin trial due to FAS noted in care. P: Gabapentin 100mg capsules, 1 capsule PO BID x14d then reassess
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
Upon intake, Bella was fearful but allowed staff to scan for MC and collar. She walked into den easily.
Is this cat having litter box issues?: No
Basic Information:: Baby Boo, fka Bella, is an approx. 2-year-old DSH cat who was surrendered due to the owner's living situation and needing a home attendant.
Previously lived with:: 1 Adult
How is this cat around strangers?: Normally no experiences. Recently, a home attendant visited for the first time and Baby Boo was fearful, swat, and scratched the attendant.
How is this cat around children?: No experience
How is this cat around other cats?: No experience
How is this cat around dogs?: No experience
Behavior Notes: Baby Boo enjoys being held. She is unbothered when placed in a carrier. She never had her nails trimmed or coat brushed.
Bite history:: In January 2026, a home attendant visited the home for the first time. Baby Boo was fearful, swatted, and scratched the home attendant when she passed.
Energy level/descriptors:: Medium
Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No
Medical Notes: No reported medical issues. Reported to get vaccinated three months ago but no records were given and owner did not know the veterinarian.
For a New Family to Know: Baby Boo is described as friendly, affectionate, very active, playful, talkative, couch potato, bold, and prefers contact on her own terms. She spends most time where people are. She likes to play gently and play hide and seek. She enjoys scratching carpet/fabric. The previous owner's favorite thing about Baby Boo is that she is affectionate. She was fed dry food. She had access to one litterbox in the hallway that was covered and had non-clumping litter.
KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 1 Adult Behavior toward strangers: Normally no experiences. Recently, a home attendant visited for the first time and Baby Boo was fearful, swat, and scratched the attendant. Behavior toward children: Unknown Behavior toward cats: Unknown Behavior toward dogs: Unknown Bite or Scratch history: yes. In January 2026, a home attendant visited the home for the first time. Baby Boo was fearful, swatted, and scratched the home attendant when she passed. Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: Medium Other notes: Baby Boo is described as friendly, affectionate, very active, playful, talkative, couch potato, bold, and prefers contact on her own terms. She spends most time where people are. She likes to play gently and play hide and seek. She enjoys scratching carpet/fabric. The previous owner's favorite thing about Baby Boo is that she is affectionate. She was fed dry food. She had access to one litterbox in the hallway that was covered and had non-clumping litter. Baby Boo enjoys being held. She is unbothered when placed in a carrier. She never had her nails trimmed or coat brushed.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 3/29/26 Vol. Baby Boo stayed in her den. She was curled up in the back of the den. I offered her tuna, and she wasn’t interested/had no reaction. I offered her a treat on the scratcher tool. At first, she had no reaction. When I tipped the scratcher to drop the treat, she swatted at the scratcher. 03/31/26 FB47 Baby Boo, who was in the den, appeared tense, and when offered treats hissed and attempted to swat, and the interaction was ended. 4/3/26 FB20 Baby Boo exhibited similar behaviors as the prior enrichment note. She lunged and struck at the den when attempting to get a video of her. 04/07/26 FB47 Baby Boo is in the den, hunched, fearful, and in the back with large pupils and hissed repeatedly and struck at the den door.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued
CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Shy ,Skittish,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Pet-induced aggression,Fearful,New home adjustment period
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 4
RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Baby Boo was scrunched in the back of the cubby, flattened against the back of it with sideways ears and large pupils, and when approached with a squeeze-up treat, she immediately hissed hard and swatted hard at the assessor, and the interaction was ended. Baby Boo is not open to interaction at this time and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. Because her previous owner reports she is friendly and affectionate 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 their new home.