Animal Profile

Gumbo needs at risk placement for medical and behavioral reasons. He is not eating in shelter due to a severe upper respiratory tract infection. Due to his high level of stress in shelter, he will not tolerate supportive care. He needs placement in a veterinary clinic to recover and a quiet home to thrive.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Gumbo needs at risk placement for medical and behavioral reasons. He is not eating in shelter due to a severe upper respiratory tract infection. Due to his high level of stress in shelter, he will not tolerate supportive care. He needs placement in a veterinary clinic to recover and a quiet home to thrive. What my friends at ACC say about me: I have lived with cats in my previous home. I have lived with dogs in my previous home. 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 would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. I would do best in a home with only adult humans. I prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets. I love to be loved, but on my own terms! Let's brush up on some feline body language together! A volunteer writes: In his previous home, Gumbo was a lover not a fighter--a well-behaved boy who played gently, hid whenever he felt scared, and got along well with other cats. (His cat brother, Louie, has already been adopted.) But clearly the adjustment to the Care Center has overwhelmed him, as he's avoided interacting with the staffers and volunteers who hope to see him come out of his protective shell. We get it; unfamiliar environments can wig out even the most confident cats. We're hoping that with time Gumbo will adjust and open up more. But this might not happen until he's in a real forever home with pet parents who boost his security with a go-slow approach. Have a soft spot for this handsome tabby with the gumdrop nose who needs a helping hand from a compassionate human? Gumbo is waiting for you on 110th Street today.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 14.06 lbs

Medical Notes

7/25/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: Reported 6y, exam agrees Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Striking and hissing when approached in den. Elected to sedate to reduce FAS. Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 7/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: adult dentition with mild dental tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: male intact, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment overweight Prognosis: good Plan: Sedated for exam and intake tasks using 0.15ml dexmedetomidine 500mcg/ml, 0.15ml ketamine 100mg/ml, 0.15ml butorphanol 10mg/ml IM intake tasks neuter new home/reunite 0.1ml antisedan IM-uneventful recovery SURGERY: Okay for surgery

8/1/2026

Gabapentin for high FAS, lunging, striking 100mg capsule in high value food PO BID indefinitely

8/6/2026

Noted while cage side to have yellow nasal discharge and sputum on den door S: QAR inside of den O: EEN- eyes clear, clear to yellow nasal discharge H/L- eupneic but sniffling MSK/i- ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat Neuro- alert/appropriate A: Moderate URI Fresh food bowls in kennel, so unclear if eating P: D/c Gabapentin for now Doxycycline 100mg/ml 0.6 ml PO SID x7d Recheck at end of course +/- consider restarting Gabapentin

8/9/2026

SO: Attempted to add treatment for URI in food only BAR, hissing and growling when approached in den eent: eyes clear, heavy yellow nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-moderate/severe P: Not eating medication in food attempt to apply Zorbium if possible monitor closely

8/11/2026

Pet sitting up inside den. Not eating well per log. EEN: green mucoid nasal discharge RESP: Increased inspiratory effort A: Severe uri anorexia Prognosis: Poor Plan Advise at risk placement consider repeat zorbium & SQF tomorrow

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

If yes, Please elaborate:: Access to a litterbox in the home: Yes / Sí Used the bathroom outdoors: Not reported Litter boxes in the home: 1 Litter box location(s): Basement / El basamento Other location: Not reported Type of litter box: Covered / Cubierto Other type: Not reported Type of litter: Unscented / Sin perfume Other type: Not reported Spraying: No

Basic Information:: Name: Louie & Gumbo Age: 3-6 years old / años Color: mixed gray black and white Russian Tabby Sex: Male / Macho Altered: No Declawed: No Surrender Reason: Length of time owned: 7.5 months Where the previous owner got this cat: Owner moved; temporary foster

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 1 dog, 1 cat

How is this cat around strangers?: Plays gently / Juega suave

How is this cat around children?: Shy & Timid / Timido

How is this cat around other cats?: Plays gently / Juega suave

How is this cat around dogs?: Plays gently / Juega suave

Behavior Notes: If they hiss, growl, swat, or bite - these behaviors are usually: Defensive / Defensivo How this cat reacts when someone... - Trims their nails: Unbothered / Sin molestarse - Brushes their coat: Enjoys / Disfruta - Picks up/holds: Enjoys / Disfruta - Places them in a carrier: Struggles or squirms / Lucha

Bite history:: N/A

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium / Mediano

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: N/A

For a New Family to Know: Description of this cat most of the time: Affectionate / Cariñoso Additional info: Not reported Areas the cat had access to: Indoors / Adentro, Basement / El basamento, Indoors at night / Adentro en la noche Additional info: Not reported Where the cat spent most time: Basement / El basamento Additional info: Not reported How the cat likes to play: Plays gently / Juega suave, Plays rough - bites skin / Juega duro - muerde la piel Additional info: Not reported How often the cat got interactive playtime: More than twice a day / Más de dos veces al día Additional info: Not reported This cat likes to scratch on: Rough rope / Cuerda rugosa, Carpet/Fabric / Alfombra/Tela, Other / Otro Additional info: 1 favorite piece of furniture - chaise lounge Previous owner's favorite things about the cat: Louie is playful and curious; Gumbo is shy and beautiful Behavior issues noted: Hides in fear / Se esconde del miedo Additional info: Not reported Type of food the cat eats: Dry food / Comida seca Brands of food: IAMS Favorite treats: CANNED TUNA; SALMON

KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Cat Previously lived with: 2 adults, 1 dog, 1 cat Behavior toward strangers: Plays gently Behavior toward children: Shy & Timid Behavior toward cats: Plays gently Behavior toward dogs: Plays gently Bite or Scratch history: N/A Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: Medium Other notes: If they hiss, growl, swat, or bite - these behaviors are usually: Defensive How this cat reacts when someone... - Trims their nails: Unbothered - Brushes their coat: Enjoys - Picks up/holds: Enjoys - Places them in a carrier: Struggles or squirms How often the cat got interactive playtime: More than twice a day Behavior issues noted: Hides in fear

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 7/31/26 FB09 Gumbo was crouched in his den with dilated eyes and flattened ears. He hissed when the den cover was lifted and lunged forward. When the handler offered him treats by his den portal door, he sniffed them before he began licking his lips and low growling. He continued low growling throughout the interaction and then hissed again. The interaction was ended to reduce FAS.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Gumbo 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. 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. Gumbo 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 4

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Gumbo was crouched in his den with dilated eyes and began low growling when the handler approached. He hesitantly leaned in to sniff the treats offered to him before hissing and backing away. When attempting to pet him with the click stick, he hissed repeatedly and continued avoiding contact. Interaction was ended to reduce FAS. Gumbo is not open to interaction at this time and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. Because his previous owner reports he is tolerant and playful 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 his new home.