Animal Profile

Killua 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.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Killua 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. A volunteer writes: Killua and friends Krollo, Kai and Maliki were found in a carrier, in the hallways of an apartment building. They were frightened upon arrival at the care center and have remained very shy. Killna usually hisses when I open his cubby door. He is like the little dogs who bark in the street to choo away big dogs as they are so scared...Of course, I am gentle with Killua but I do not want to back off. He does close his eyes with gentle words although he does not lean yet into pets. I know it will come with patience and time. Still nothing beats a home and an experienced new owner who patiently, lovingly and expertly will get Killua out of his shell and ready to meet the world!. Killua is waiting for you at the Manhattan Care Center. 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 will flourish in a calm environment and a low-traffic home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 7.4 lbs

Medical Notes

9/16/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4-7 years based on the condition of teeth and eyes Microchip noted on Intake? Negative History: Stray Subjective: BAR H pink 1 sec Observed Behavior - hissed, runs away, ear back; tail tucked under Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Evidence of Trauma seen – No Evidence of Neglect- No Objective P = 200hr R = 40rr BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: 2/4 dental tartar; fractured 204 PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, no apparent murmur, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated; fecal matter in colon U/G: MI with right one down; left side inguinal cryptorchid MSI: before sedation ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: before sedation mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment cryptorchid- left side inguinal (deep) fractured left upper K-9 tooth Prognosis: Good Plan: Telazol- 0.14 ml IM Intake procedures SQ fluids- 100 ml LRS SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Killua was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 9/18/25 PREVIOUS ASSESSMENT: Killua was stress meowing inside the den when spoken to softly, appearing alert with wide eyes and scanning the room. He frequently lip licked during the assessment and allowed only brief petting with the scratcher tool. He remained uncomfortable throughout, and the assessment was ended early to help reduce his stress. 9/23/25 Vol. Sitting in his privacy den. Sniffed at Squeeze-ups but didn’t eat any. Hissed at the scratcher tool. Ignored the cat dancer and laser. Angrily swatted at the tinsel toy so ended interaction to avoid FAS. He never came out of his den. 9/30/25 Vol Curled up in back of cubby. Hissed a bit when kennel door was opened. Not interested in Squeeze-ups but did enjoy the tuna I gave him. Followed laser with his eyes for a bit. Rolled toy mouse in some catnip and he did seem to like it. Not really interested in an interaction at this time. 10/03/25 Vol. Curled in top cubby, nose tucked , eyes open, watching carefully. Put treat bowl in cubby, Killua lifted his head to stare balefully at bowl. Approached with hard treat on tool, he sniffed and looked at it and put his head back down, eyes still open. Allowed head scratches with tool, kept scratching and his eyes started to close but opened to observe activity in room- still allowing scratches. Kept scratching- eyes close, reopen slightly if stopped. He would also occasionally abruptly open eyes wide to double check what was going on. Head stayed down. Kept scratching until eyes stayed pretty much closed for awhile and then ended interaction. Killua got up to eat treats. 10/06/25 Vol. Killua was a little better this week. He was curled up, head up in the top cubby. He hissed when I opened the cubby door. I talked to him for a little bit and then went in for a pet. He tolerated head and cheek rubs. After I ended the interaction, I saw that he got up to eat. 10/10/25 Vol. In top cubby, meat-loafed while I was reading report. Did get an eye blink. Opened cubby and he sat up erect against back wall and stress meowed and lifted paw when put in treat bowl. Approached with hard treats on tool, he pulled head back. Tried to approach with tool and he ran into the main cage. Started to open main cage and he ran into bottom cubby behind litter box. Ended interaction. 10/12/25 Vol. Killua did not tolerate any physical interaction this week. When I opened the cubby door, he immediately got up and smushed himself against the back wall of the cubby. He kept softly hissing while I had the door open (but was not aggressive/defensive); so, I ended the interaction. -----CONTINUED IN GAN-----

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Mellow

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Curious,Timid,Skittish

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Killua should be given a slow introduction to the home, one room at a time starting in a small room like a bathroom with food, litter and water because behaviors seen at the Care Center strongly suggest that he will hide if allowed. Interact with him in this room until he seems sufficiently confident that you feel you can introduce him to the next part of the home without running the risk that he will hide. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to help introduce your cat to the home. Killua has displayed fearful behavior during their stay in the care center and has displayed distance-increasing behavior with extended handling. Fear aggression can occur when a cat perceives a threat and may escalate if they cannot escape. A fearful cat will feel more relaxed when given options, so provide him with the chance to move closer, investigate, or interact with you. Be sure to offer incentive such as treats or play time whenever the cat makes a small positive step. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to desensitize your cat to their fear stimulus.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: Killua displays fearful behaviors and may be intimidated by small children, no children under 5.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Killua is laying in the back of his cubby, laying down curled in on himself. As the door is opened, he tenses and hisses, ears slightly to the side. When petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, he initially flinches but does allow it. After the assessor closes the door, Killua continues to lay in the back of the cubby, head now held up and observing, pupils dilated but body less tense than at the start of the assessment. Killua 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.