Animal Profile

Sam 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 kitten socialization and 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. Sam 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 kitten socialization and helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. What my friends at ACC say about me: I am looking for a home with a patient person. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. Sam appears to be fearful and given her age at the time of the assessment (10 weeks old) we believe that she hasn't had much human interaction up to this point and as a result is under-socialized; a condition that should be temporary if she is given appropriate interactions. During the assessment she was tense and avoided contact. She needs intensive socialization at the present time. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents who are preferably familiar with kitten socialization or are open to detailed counseling by staff.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 2.52 lbs

Medical Notes

7/14/2026

[Spay/Neuter Waiver - Upper Respiratory Illness] Your newly adopted animal is in treatment for an upper respiratory illness. The veterinarian is temporarily waiving this animal from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY until such time as the illness has resolved and the pet has sufficiently recovered. At that time, this animal must come into compliance with the spay/neuter requirements.

7/14/2026

Estimated age: ~10 weeks old based on dentition / condition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: stray Subjective: BARH, pink moist mm, CRT <2s Observed Behavior - Nervous but tolerant Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL R = WNL BCS 4/9 EENT: mild blepharospasm OU with mild mucoid discharge, ears clean, mild seropurulent nasal discharge Oral Exam: Clean deciduous dentition up to premolars PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2s, Lungs clear, eupneic, negative ITC ABD: Soft, nonpainful, no masses palpated U/G: Female - appears intact no tattoo or spay scar MSI: Ambulatory x 4, full orthopedic exam not performed INT: Healthy hair coat, no masses noted, no ectoparasites seen CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Normal externally Wood's Lamp Exam: Negative Assessment: mild URI mild conjunctivitis OU FI juvenile DSH Prognosis: Fair Plan: OK for appropriate intake tasks Gave 1st dose at time of exam: Doxycycline 0.23ml PO SID x 10 d Ofloxacin 1 drop OU BID x 7d SURGERY: temporary waiver due URI

7/21/2026

Progress exam: URI day 7 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:3 empty bowls in kennel, ate medications Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days for resolution

7/24/2026

Progress exam: URI day 10 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:2/3 Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI appears resolved PLAN: Per standing orders -URI signage removed from kennel -CTM on daily rounds while in QACC

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

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

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 7/23/26 FB25 Sam is on top of the den when I approach. She hisses when I open the door and backs up as far as she can, pressing herself into the wall and growling, her ears turned downwards. I offer some treats and she hisses and swats when my hand hovers too close, but after a few moments, she inches forward to sniff them. When I pet her with the scratcher tool, she tolerates the petting on her head and all over her body, remaining frozen. She then hops off the den and crawls inside of it with her siblings. When I offer tuna in a dish, she pokes her head forward to sniff, but doesn't come forward until after I've walked away. Needs continued socialization work, but she shows great potential!

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Lively

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Curious,Timid,Skittish

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Kitten socialization,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Sam is a young cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. She may be apprehensive of people, but the behavior team believes she has potential to warm up to people. Kittens less than 8 weeks of age can be socialized by almost anyone; however, kittens between 2-4 months may require more time and skill in order for them to be comfortable around people. Please speak to an adoption counselor to learn more about socialization techniques.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: No children under 13 years old. Due to being under-socialized, contact with young children should be avoided or done under strict supervision so as not to provoke her fear response and further delay her socialization.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Upon approach Sam is in their den box with their two siblings. Her body tenses as the assessor greets her and opens the kennel door. When approached with the tool she gives a hiss. She tolerates neck, face, and body touch with the tool. When the assessor goes in with their hands, she arches her back, hisses, and raise her paw to swat. No further interaction is attempted at this time due to her high FAS. Sam appears to be fearful and may not have had much human interaction up to this point. During the assessment she showed fearful behavior and would benefit from extra socialization. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents who are preferably familiar with kitten socialization or are open to detailed counseling by staff. Contact with young children should be avoided or done under strict supervision to prevent provoking a fear response, further delaying socialization.