Animal Profile

Mario 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.

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. Mario 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. What my friends at ACC say about me: I have lived with cats in my previous home. I am finding the shelter a bit overwhelming. Outside one-on-one I am a great big cuddle bug. I can be slow to adjust to new environments. I prefer to take things at my own pace. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. I will flourish in a calm environment and a low-traffic home. I would do best in a home with only adult humans. A volunteer writes: Mario's a sweet and sensitive boy who we've heard likes to play. Pouncing after his toys and occasionally splashing in his water, he's charmingly well versed in making his own fun. Mario came to us from a home with other cats and, as sometimes happens, was getting picked on by the others. Since coming to the Care Center, Mario's taken his time to adjust but has been coming around in a pace that reflects his slow and steady style as well as his interest in treats. He appreciates the variety of snacks we keep on hand, especially for kitties like him who need a hand when it comes to making new friends. Permitting us to pet him and demonstrating his curiosity about his new surroundings, Mario has been opening up to us more and more and while we most appreciate his efforts, we can't wait for him to find a family to call his own.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.86 lbs

Medical Notes

4/5/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1-2 years based on dentition, c/w owner reports Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender due to cat reportedly being 'bullied' by resident cats Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - tense but allows handling, prefers to hide under towel, frozen for tasks Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = 200 bpm R = WNL BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear OU, ears have thick brown coffee ground debris AU + pruritic AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, mild tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, 2-3 cm round scabbed wound on central dorsum, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: NEGATIVE Assessment Ear mites Wound on dorsum- healing on own Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort Clean ears Apply selarid SURGERY: Okay for surgery

4/18/2025

Staff noted on white board to be sneezing S: QAR in cubby O: EEN- eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge H/L- Eupneic, no appreciable audible congestion, no sneezing while cage side MSK/i- Ambulatory x4 Neuro- alert/appropriate A: No evidence of URI P: Fortiflora 1 packet PO SID x7d in the event that he is breaking with early URI and signs are infrequent CTM in care

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake, Mario was very quiet and fearful. He was wide eyed and hiding his face. He allowed staff to scan for MC and collar. He was placed in a den to minimize FAS. His food and water were untouched.

Spay/Neuter status: No

Date of Intake: 4/3/2025

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

If yes, Please elaborate:: Mario has no litter box issues.

Basic Information:: Mario is a 1 y/o, male, not neutered, not declawed, DSH with no injuries or medical issues noted. His previous owner got him from a friend when he was a kitten and surrendered him due to having too many animals in the home.

Previously lived with:: 2 Adults, 4 Cats

How is this cat around strangers?: Noted to hide initially and actively avoid.

How is this cat around children?: No experience.

How is this cat around other cats?: Noted to prefer contact on his terms but is friendly and outgoing.

How is this cat around dogs?: No experience.

Behavior Notes: Mario is noted to scratch the furniture. His nails have never been trimmed or his coat brushed. He struggles and squirms when picked up/held and when placed in a carrier.

Bite history:: Noted none.

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: Noted none.

For a New Family to Know: Mario is described as friendly, very active, and playful. He can be a lazy couch potato. He has access to inside his previous home and spent most of his time in the living room. He chases/pounces on toys, he likes to play hide & seek, and likes to play with water. He scratches on rough rope, wood, and cardboard surfaces. He eats Meow Mix dry food. Mario was in a home with 1 litter box located in the living room. The litter box was covered with a plastic liner, unscented clumping clay litter.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Previously lived with: 2 Adults, 4 Cats Behavior toward strangers: hide initially and actively avoid. Behavior toward cats: prefer contact on his terms but is friendly and outgoing. Bite or Scratch history: None reported Litter box training: Yes, Mario was in a home with 1 litter box located in the living room. The litter box was covered with a plastic liner, unscented clumping clay litter. Energy level/descriptors: Medium energy level Other notes: Described as friendly, very active, and playful. He can be a lazy couch potato. He has access to inside his previous home and spent most of his time in the living room. He chases/pounces on toys, he likes to play hide & seek, and likes to play with water. He scratches on rough rope, wood, and cardboard surfaces. He eats Meow Mix dry food. Mario is noted to scratch the furniture. His nails have never been trimmed or his coat brushed. He struggles and squirms when picked up/held and when placed in a carrier. Upon intake: Mario was very quiet and fearful. He was wide eyed and hiding his face. He allowed staff to scan for MC and collar. He was placed in a den to minimize FAS. His food and water were untouched.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 5/3/25 Vol. Mario was in loaf position right at the cubby door when approached, spoken to & door opened. I opened the main door & Mario stuck his head & chest through the portal. I left dry treats on the perch. He would slowly eat the treats & slightly move a little further through the portal. He slightly retreated when squeeze up was offered on a scratcher tool, almost going back into cubby. Offered more dry treats on perch & he would eat them & sometimes use his paw to bring the treat closer to him. Backs up when try to pet with scratcher tool and with hand. Went back into cubby. Left dry treats in cubby. 5/6/25 Vol. Sitting behind privacy sheet but backed away when the kennel door was opened. Ate Squeeze-ups from the clicker. Put his swatting skills to use by introducing him to the cat dancer. Ate up all the canned tuna I gave him. 5/7/25 Vol. Mario was lying in cubby behind privacy paper. When approached, he repositioned to lie on his side looking out into main kennel. His eyes were squinty, with partly dilated pupils. He gave slow blinks and reached out with a flexed front paw. He poked his head into main kennel to eat squeeze up from scratcher tool. When petting was attempted, he batted at the scratcher tool playfully, so we switched to playing with a pipe cleaner toy. He remained lying in cubby, reaching out to bat at the toy gently. His behavior was overall relaxed and low energy, and after interaction he napped. 5/10/25 Vol. Mario is sitting up on the ledge of his condo, his tail wrapped loosely around him. He makes eye contact, his ears and whiskers. He eagerly licks the treat off the clicker ball but then he backs up, scrunching his neck towards the back of the condo to avoid being petted with the tool. I extend the clicker again with some treat, and he licks it, but when I attempted to extend a finger towards his nose, he made as if to swat my hand, so I withdrew. Still a bit conflicted. 5/28/25 Vol. Mario was in cubby and came out when approached, stretching his body and flexing his toes. He came to front of kennel and sniffed my hand, then accepted squeeze up from hand. He sat upright with his tail loose beside him. His eyes were neutral. He eagerly leaned in to petting with the scratcher tool, turning his face and body to get scratches all over his cheeks and shoulders. He appeared calm and did not show signs of

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Shy ,Calm,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Mario appears to display signs of overstimulation touch sensitivity. When stroking his back, his body twitches, tail flicks, and he focuses on the tool. Mario tolerate petting on the head and he leans in for cheek rubs when using the scratcher tool; however, when reaching close and petting his head with the assessor's hand, he leans back and gently bats or pushes their hand away and continues to tolerate attention with the scratcher tool.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to fearful and defensive behaviors in shelter.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Mario was resting in the back of his cubby when the assessor approached. Mario sprang up and immediately pushed himself further back into the cubby. He displayed lip licking and his tail continuously flicks. As the assessor approached with a tool, Mario raised his paw. The assessor then tried to greet slowly with a hand and Mario immediately swatted the assessor hand. The interaction ended shortly after. Mario tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.