12/05/2025
Save Choco from being killed because he is scared. Manhattan NycACC
*** SAFE WITH CAT REPUBLIC - 12/13/2025 - YAY!!! ***
PLEDGE / DONATION LINK:
https://catrepublic.com/donate/
♦♦TO BE KILLED♦♦
“Choco is on the At Risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. He is now displaying signs of fear aggression such as lunging, hissing, and swatting. Choco's previous owner his previous owner reports he is active and playful, affectionate and friendly in a home environment. 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 and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers."
MANHATTAN ACC ADOPTABLE
CHOCO 239872:
1YR | Male | O/S | 9.7 lbs
MEDICAL:
Weight: 9.7 lbs
11/14/2025:
DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: Reported 1.5y, exam agrees
Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative
History: Owner surrender due to not having time to care for all of their cats
Subjective: BAR
Observed Behavior - Tense and meowing, but continues to allow all handling for exam and all tasks.
Evidence of Cruelty seen -no
Evidence of Neglect seen-no
Evidence of Trauma seen -no
Objective
T =
P =wnl
R =wnl
BCS 5/9
EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted
Oral Exam: clean adult dentition
PLN: No enlargements noted
H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic
ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated
U/G: male intact, 2 scrotal te**es
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat
CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities
Re**al: normal external
Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed
Assessment
apparently healthy
Prognosis:
good
Plan:
intake tasks
neuter
new home
SURGERY:
Okay for surgery.
BEHAVIOR:
KNOWN HISTORY: Indoor
Previously lived with: 2 adults, 3 kids (11 and babies) and other cats
Behavior toward strangers: with visitors Choco is shy but tolerant and warms up within 2 weeks
Behavior toward children: having lived with children Choco is noted to be curious and tolerant.
Behavior toward cats: tolerant, curious, playful
Behavior toward dogs: no experience
Bite or Scratch history: None reported
Litter box training: Yes
Energy level/descriptors: High
Other notes:
-enjoys getting their coat brushed and being held.
-is not bothered by nail trims
-stress meows when in a carrier
Choco is an indoor only cat that prefers contact on their own terms, can be very active and playful, affectionate and friendly. likes to adventurous and explore surroundings. He likes to hang out in areas such as the living room, kitchen, bedroom and anywhere else the people are. Likes to be by the window as well looking out or taking a quick nap. He enjoys chasing after his toys and likes to stalk/pounce on feet. He loves playing with toys that make noises. He likes to scratch on carpet and cardboard-like surfaces. He loves both wet and dry food (Purina).
ENRICHMENT NOTES:
11/16/25 PREVIOUS ASSESSMENT
Upon approach Choco is laying in his den, pupils dilated and body tense. As the den cover is lifted, he begins to stress meow and repeatedly lip lick. When petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, he initially avoids it, backing himself against the back wall of the den. The assessor offers treats, but he doesn't take them. After some soft talking Choco allows all petting but remains tense as he is pet. He is not able to be coaxed out of his den, so pickup is unable to be attempted but he shows no reaction when pressure is applied to the sides of his belly.
11/17/25
Laying towards back of den, pupils dilated and tense as the den cover is lifted, begins to stress meow. Tolerates petting with scratcher tool but continues stress meowing, body remaining tense and backing away when he is pet. Does not respond when offering treats, squeeze up, or catnip. Interaction ended to reduce FAS.
11/18/25
Choco sniffed treats and catnip and remained in place in the cubby, doing a little lip licking and with a slightly tense body, but he accepted petting and then gave a single small stressed meow. He is a sweet cat who just needs a little more time.
11/19/25
Crouched at the back of the cubby alert with eyes wide. He retreats further against the back wall avoiding contact. However, briefly allowed petting until he nipped at the scratcher tool low growling in place. Ended to help reduce stress.
11/20/25
Curled up hiding in the litter box of the bottom cubby with tense body and wide eyes. Leans head forward to sniff treats out of my hand, then leans back. When reaching close to pet with the scratcher tool, he hisses and lip licks. I stay still with the tool at the edge of the litter box. He slowly leans his head forward and nips the tool, then leans back and begins growling. After a few seconds, he calms down, so I remove the tool away.
11/21/25
Choco was behind his litter box in the cubby when I approached. He licked his lips as I opened the cubby door, so closed the cubby door and used the main door. I dangled a silvervine chew stick attached to an extendable stick in the side opening of the cubby. He sniffed it from a distance, but did not move. Due to the activity in the room, I left the silvervine chew stick in the main part of the castle and closed the castle door. I returned an hour later. I offered him some Churu on an extendable stick through the side opening of the cubby. He nipped at the stick spilling the Churu. I removed the stick and closed the kennel door leaving him with a silvervine chew toy in the front of the kennel.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate,Subdued
VOCAL: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: Bold, Shy, Timid, Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES: Fearful, New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments: Choco 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 [see behavior summary for further details] 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.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: Level 4
RECOMMENDATIONS: No young children
Recommendations comments: Choco has been fearful and skittish in the care center and may be intimidated by young children, no children under 13 up to discretion of counselor. Important to note that Choco has lived with children in his previous home and was reported to do well with them, but will need very slow introductions and emphasis on decompression period.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY: Choco is laying inside his litterbox. When kennel door is opened, his eyes dilate and ears slightly tilt back. Assessor offers scratcher tool to sniff, and Choco immediately hisses harshly, lunging forward to swat with intensity at the tool with extended claws. He holds onto the scratcher tool, low growling and hard staring. Assessor slowly removes tool and Choco continues to low growl after the door is closed.
Choco is not open to interaction at this time and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. Because his previous owner reports he is active and playful, affectionate and friendly 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 him adjust to their new home.
What my friends at ACC say about me:
* I lived with children in my previous home.
* I have lived with cats in my previous home.
* I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you.
Choco is not open to interaction at this time and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. Because his previous owner reports he is active and playful, affectionate and friendly 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 him adjust to their new home.
"OWNER" NOTES:
Basic Information: Choco is an approx. 1-year-old black male cat that was born in home and surrendered due to not being able to care properly after financial issues and caring for sick child
Previously lived with: 2 adults, 3 kids (11 and babies) and other cats
How is this cat around strangers?: no experience with strangers
with visitors Choco is shy but tolerant and warms up within 2 weeks
How is this cat around children?: having lived with children Choco is noted to be curious and tolerant.
How is this cat around other cats?: tolerant, curious, playful
How is this cat around dogs?: no experience
Behavior Notes: enjoys getting their coat brushed and being held.
is not bothered by nail trims
stress meows when in a carrier
Bite history: none reported
Energy level/descriptors: high
Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No
For a New Family to Know: Choco is an indoor only cat that prefers contact on their own terms, can be very active and playful, affectionate and friendly. likes to adventurous and explore surroundings.
he likes to hang out in areas such as the living room, kitchen, bedroom and anywhere else the people are. Likes to be by the window as well looking out or taking a quick nap.
He enjoys chasing after his toys and likes to stalk/pounce on feet. He loves playing with toys that make noises.
likes to scratch on carpet and cardboard-like surfaces.
loves both wet and dry food (purina).
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PLEASE CONSIDER SAVING THE LIFE of a NYC ACC Death Row cat with your immediate offer to adopt.
TO GET STARTED IMMEDIATELY SEND A PRIVATE MESSAGE TO THIS PAGE (click "Send Message" from our home page TOP RIGHT). We will respond asap. There are two ways to save a life, you can work with a rescue or you can work directly with the NYC ACC shelter. If you are working with a rescue you will be sent a link and instructed to complete an application with a 501(c)3 New Hope Rescue Partner, (one who is approved to pull cats from the NYC ACC shelter). We will immediately alert the rescue of your incoming app. If you live locally to NYC and want to adopt directly from the shelter please continue to read below.
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NYC ACC DIRECT ADOPTION NOTE: If you live in or around NYC, and you can get to the NYC shelter IN PERSON you can read below and email the shelter directly to inquire. Be sure to enter the cats Name & ID Number in the subject line field of the email.
EMAIL
[email protected]
NYC ACC
General inquiries:
tel. 1-212-788-4000
[email protected]
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Manhattan Animal Care Center
326 East 110th Street (between 1st and 2nd Aves.)
New York, NY 10029
Open for adoptions:
Monday – Friday (12pm – 6pm)
Saturday & Sunday (11am – 5pm)
Hours of Operations:
Monday – Sunday (10am – 6pm)
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Queens Animal Care Center
1906 Flushing Avenue
Ridgewood, NY 1138
Open for adoptions:
Monday – Friday (12pm – 6pm)
Saturday & Sunday (11am – 5pm)
Hours of Operations:
Monday – Sunday (10am – 6pm)
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Staten Island Care Center
3139 Veterans Road West
Staten Island, NY 10309
Open for adoptions:
Wednesday – Sunday (11am – 5pm)
Hours of Operations:
Wednesday – Sunday (10am – 5pm)
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ABOUT TRANSPORT: In some cases, when rescue has approved adopter there may be FREE TRANSPORT up to a 4 hour. radius outside of NYC, including all or parts of NY, NJ, CT, PA, NH, VT, RI, MA, MD, DE & DC (see the transport map provided). More distant adopters can meet the transport van, (i.e. a NC or VA adopter could meet in MD or DC, or an OH adopter could meet in PA).
ABOUT KITTENS: Kittens under 8 wks old & under 2 lbs, due to fragility are NOT PUBLICLY ADOPTABLE. They can only be pulled by a rescue group for specially-trained, pre-approved kitten foster homes in NY, NJ & CT.
ABOUT PLEDGES: Pledges are paid directly to the 501(c)3 RESCUE that pulls the cat. The Rescue Donation link (if known) will be posted for pledges to be honored. Pledges do not guarantee that a cat's life will be saved but it may help a rescue decide if they can pull the cat and cover his/her medical needs, vetting expenses.
ABOUT US : MLC is a 100% volunteer run page. We can help facilitate a rescue, by connecting you with a 501c3 RESCUE. Must Love Cats is NOT a rescue, nor are we affiliated with any of the NYC ACC shelters.
