Animal Profile

Octopus 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. 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.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Octopus 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. 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. A volunteer writes: Octopus gave birth in a laundromat. I guess, she wanted a clean environment for her brood. She was not allowed to stay, though and was brought to the Manhattan Care Center with her eight few days old babies. Octopus was stressed and had a very hard time nursing so the eight babes were fed in an incubator and then fostered. Octopus was very defensive with her caretakers at the beginning of her stay and not open to having a trusting relationship with them. Lately, though, Octopus is showing signs that she might want to engage with staff and volunteers. She likes treats and as she spends more time in her "living room", I presented her with a tray of high end cat food that I held. She came forward and after some hesitation and back and forth, she ate while I was with caution, petting her head(see video). More recently, she started playing with feather wands(see video). She is curious of the outside of her kennel, sitting on her balcony, observing the ins and outs of her ward and accepting a little scratch on her nose.. Nothing really is known about Octopus. Was she a stray, a pet who got out of luck? She is a big mystery. We all wish that Octopus could be given a chance because even if she shows tiny improvements at the care center, being in a quiet adult only home with a compassionate while experienced adopter or foster could be the light at the end of the tunnel for her, an opportunity to trust our kind and be a thriving pet...Will you be Octopus' hero? What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! I'm an independent kitty who likes to do my own thing. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I would do best in a home without very tiny humans, although I could be open to older human children once I meet them. Octopus tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. She may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to her new home. We recommend this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, she may not be a great fit for young children. Any home with older children prepared to adopt this cat should conduct a thorough interaction and endeavor to monitor this cat around their children to prevent these behaviors from being reinforced.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 6.4375 lbs

Medical Notes

6/24/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3-6y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Stray queen with 8 neonatal kittens found inside of laundromat. Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Hissing and striking when approached. Elected sedation using 0.1ml dexmedetomidine 500mcg/ml, 0.1ml ketamine 100mg/ml, and 0.1ml butorphanol 10mg/ml IM Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 3/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: adult dentition with moderate dental tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: female intact, lactating, but glands are not very full MSI: Ambulatory x 4, flea dirt, no masses noted, patches of tar on limbs and torso, shaved and removed with mineral oil CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: negative Assessment underweight fleas mild dental disease tar patches in fur and on skin Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks OHE new home capstar 11.4mg administered in food patches of tar shaved out and removed with mineral oil SURGERY: Temporary waiver due to poor condition and lactating

7/8/2026

Feline Behavior requesting Gabapentin trial due to FAS noted in care. P: Gabapentin 100mg capsules PO BID indefinitely

7/23/2026

Per Feline Behavior inconsistently eating Gabapentin and minimal improvement noted, ok to d/c

10/2/2026

Recheck if OK for sx S: QAR, hiding in cubby. O: EEN- eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge H/L- eupneic, no coughing/sneezing or audible congestion MSK/i- ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat. Neuro- alert/appropriate A: Appears to be OK for surgery Unable to assess if lactating due to behavior but BCS is good P: OK fo sx CTM

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

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

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: (3) Prior assessment: -6/26/26 Octopus was lying in her litter box with dilated eyes and lowered, forward ears. She returned slow blinks at the handler but remained in place, not responding to coaxing with treats. She allowed extensive petting along her head and back, remaining calm. When transitioning to pick up, her body tensed as she let out a hiss. She shifted back but began returning slow blinks again. -7/26/26 Octopus is crouched on top of her den, body tense and pupils dilated as the assessor approaches. When going to open the kennel door, she lunges forward and hisses at the assessor. She is softly spoken to and after a few minutes does allow the assessor to open the kennel door. When petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, she is tolerant of petting on the head and cheeks, but leans away, flinches, and lifts a paw to avoid contact. Pickup is not attempted due to observed behavior. When the assessor goes to close the kennel door, Octopus once again hisses, spits, and lunges forward. 7/22/26 FB73 Octopus is laying on top of the back of her den. observing the handler as they approach and open the kennel door. She is offered some squeeze up and after a few seconds comes forward to eat it. She is tolerant of some petting on the head while she eats before backing away. After a few moments she is willing to return to eating her snack. 8/12/26 Vol. Octopus was crouched on top of den, looking out with wide dilated eyes. She came down to front of kennel to sniff at treats, but did not eat. She returned slow blinks, then played interactively with a feather wand. She alternated between playing with the wand and rolling around on a catnip sock. Her body was loose, and her movements were animated and silly. She played interactively for a long time (15 minutes or so), then continued playing on her own afterward. 10/14/26 Vol. Octopus was sitting crouched at back of main kennel. Her eyes and ears were neutral, and she crept forward to eat crunchy treats. She played interactively with a wand toy for several minutes, darting and pouncing all around her kennel. She was energetic but did not swat at my hands at any point. She ran away into cubby to avoid petting with scratcher tool, but with a little coaxing she came back out to continue playing.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Mellow,Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Shy ,Curious,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period,Adult cat socialization

Potential challenges comments:: See relevant behavior flyers.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: No young children under 13 years old, counselor discretion advised.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 9/18/26 Octopus has improved since her prior assessment. She is laying in a loaf position in the back of her kennel, head upright, ears forward, and observing the assessor with dilated pupils as they approach. When the kennel door is opened, she moves as if to flee to the other side of the kennel. She is spoken to softly and the assessor offers a squeeze up on the click stick, which Octopus hesitantly leans forward to sniff before beginning to eat it. When petting is attempted with the click stick, she is able to be briefly pet on the head and cheeks, tolerating it before tensing and fleeing to the other side of the kennel. The assessor closes the kennel door and speaks to her softly, offering a squeeze up by hand through the kennel door. Octopus comes forward, body and tail held low but quickly beginning to eat the treat. Petting is attempted once more and Octopus backs away to avoid contact, still coming forward to finish the treat after a few moments. 10/18/26 Octopus is curled up on her blanket upon approach. She looks up at the assessor calmly and returns a few slow blinks. As the assessor enters and places squeeze up down near her, she quickly gets up and accepts it, and she is willing to move closer and closer to the front of the kennel for it. When a gentle pet is attempted on her head, she flinches away and moves to the back of the kennel. This process is repeated a few times slowly however she is still avoidant of contact. When a scratcher tool is used to pet along her body, she allows it, however quickly flees from the touch and moves to the other side of the kennel. She continues to come closer as treats are offered, her body language somewhat neutral, and appears content to be near the assessor as long as no touch is attempted. Octopus tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. She may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to her new home. We recommend this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, she may not be a great fit for young children. Any home with older children prepared to adopt this cat should conduct a thorough interaction and endeavor to monitor this cat around their children to prevent these behaviors from being reinforced.