Animal Profile

Brilla is on the emergency placement 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. Due to the detailed behavior issues, this animal is only available for foster/adoption through one of ACC's New Hope Partners. If you are interested in adopting or fostering, please fill out the pre-screener form. This animal is not directly available for adoption through ACC and is only available by completing the pre-screener form.Adoption inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Brilla is on the emergency placement list due to her 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 has experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. What my friends at ACC say about me: The staff think I would do best in a home where there are no other cats. I am finding the shelter a bit overwhelming. Outside one-on-one I am a great big cuddle bug. 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 will flourish in a calm environment and a low-traffic home. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I have medical needs that staff will address with you when you meet me. I can go home today! A staff member writes: "Brilla is an independent girl who enjoys her own privacy. She needs time to warm up to new people and will communicate when she feels uncomfortable. We believe she would do best with a family who just lets her do her own thing and allow her to initiate petting and attention. She likes to be affectionate on her own terms - and that's okay! 'Cause she walk like a boss, talk like a boss, manicured nails to set the pedicure off. She's fly effortlessly! And she move like a boss, do what a boss do, does she have you thinkin' about gettin' involved? Is this the kind of girl you need?" Please check here for updated adoption hours.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.74 lbs

Vet Notes

10/26/2022

Estimated age: 10-14 years based on ocular and dental appearance Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR in feral den, hissing, growling, swatting Observed Behavior - Elected to sedate with 0.15ml zoletil IM Evidence of Cruelty seen - None Evidence of Trauma seen - None Objective: BCS 6/9 EENT: Nuclear sclerosis & iris atrophy OU, moderate dark debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Oligodontia (only has 8 teeth left) with severe tartar on remaining premolars PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, MM pink/moist, CRT < 2, lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non-painful, no masses palpated U/G: Likely spayed female (ventral midline scar visible & palpable) MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally clean Wood's Lamp Exam: Not performed Assessment: Ear mites Stage 4/4 periodontal disease Prognosis: Good Plan: Cleaned AU Applied revolution Dental & extractions with primary care veterinarian

1/23/2023

Update examination before transfer Visual examination only due to increased FAS for medical handling. Patient hissed and spit when approaching kennel. BAR, approached kennel front but then retrieved into feral den. Has been eating very well, moderate activity level. No oral exam performed due to FAS. No C/S/V/D; no nasal or ocular discharge noted. No bowel movement today but has been normal previous days. A. Geriatric cat Dental disease (stage 4/4) History of ear mites (treated) P. Ok for rescue Recommend dental and extractions with primary care veterinarian

1/30/2023

Hx: Health certificate (HC) requested BAR H eent- no nasal or ocular discharge; no coughing or sneezing msi- amb x 4 A) No URI-like signs P) HC generated Needs FVRCP booster

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Brilla was transport to the MACC in a trap. Brilla was very fearful, she hissed, and growl at us. When trying to place her in a carrier she attempt to escape. Brilla try to squeeze thru the side of the trap to avoid getting in the carrier. We decided it was best to place her in a dent due of her acting so fearful. She had flat ears, dilated eyes, constantly licking her lips and growling.

Spay/Neuter status: Yes

Date of Intake: 10/23/2022

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

Basic Information:: Brilla is an approx. 10-year-old female cat that was surrendered to the ACC, due to deceased owner.

If yes, Please elaborate:: No reported litter box issues.

Previously lived with:: 1 adult

How is this cat around strangers?: Around strangers, Brilla is reported to be shy for a few minutes, fearful, and/or aggressive. She is reported to be unpredictable.

How is this cat around children?: No reported time spent around children.

How is this cat around other cats?: Brilla lived with other cats in the home. It is unknown how she was around them.

How is this cat around dogs?: No reported time spent around dogs.

Behavior Notes: She is reported to fight with other cats over food.

Bite history:: No reported bite history.

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: No reported medical issues.

For a New Family to Know: Brilla is described as an affectionate, assertive, shy, and fearful cat. When you're home, she tends to be in a favorite spot. She has been kept indoors only. She sleeps in her own room. She eats both wet and dry food of the Cat Chow, Friskies, or 9Lives brand about 1 can a day apart from the dry food. She is reported to be litter box trained with an uncovered litter box and clumping litter. She is reported to scratch on a scratching post made of cardboard or fabric.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor cat Previously lived with: 1 adult Behavior toward strangers: shy for a few minutes, fearful, and/or aggressive. She is reported to be unpredictable. Behavior toward cats: fights with other cats over food Bite or Scratch history: None Litter box training: Yes, used uncovered litter box with clumping litter Energy level/descriptors: Brilla is described as an affectionate, assertive, shy, and fearful cat. When you're home, she tends to be in a favorite spot. Other notes: She is reported to scratch on a scratching post made of cardboard or fabric.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/25/22 Hiding in den, does not respond or engage to attention. Remains frozen in den, ignores treats offered, and tolerates petting. Tense and shy. 10/31/22 Inside the den, pokes head out briefly then after pulling out the litter box she can be coaxed to bring her head out, sniffs treats and barely allows touching on head with scratcher tool and my finger, frequently retreats and then returns. Doesn't respond to catnip. 11/02/22 Looking out from inside den. Will quickly come out of the den and looks like she wants to escape, but stops and crouches down low when seeing me. She blinks and lip licks, lowers her head, and then retreats back into the den when I extend the scratcher tool. Sniffs squeeze ups but doesn't eat them, and then flinches when I place treats into the den. Seems wary, but tolerates brief strokes on the head if you go really slow. 11/3/22 Crouched down at the back on top of the den with head and ears forward and tail wrapped around body, focused on me with tense body and wide eyes. Ignores treats offered and hisses when initially pet on the head, but then tolerates continued gentle petting. Lip licks and wraps tail tighter around body when stroking back. Hisses again and leans head back when pet on the head again. Kept interaction short to reduce stress. 11/5/22 Crouched down and on top of den looking out towards me. Slowed backed up when offering Offered dry treats on scratcher. left treats nearby. Sniffed them and ignored. Sniffed squeeze up offered on scratcher and then ignored. Allowed slight brief by scratcher on left cheek. Withdrew from pet on top of head and opened mouth. Leaned away from pet on right cheek. Then allowed petting by scratcher on top of head afterwards. 11/8/22 Resting with front legs tucked in on approach. Alert with normal shape eyes, looking around. She hissed when moving close for pets. Ignored offered treats and remains immobile in place. Kept short to reduce stress. 11/9/22 Great improvement! Hissed in the beginning when spoken to and opening the door. Ignores treats offered and leans back when pet, remains in loaf position. Begins to warm up to attention and leans in slowly for cheek rubs, squinting her eyes. Shy but has potential! 11/10/22 Resting on approach. Hisses but accepts pets with the scratcher tool. Closes eyes and head bunts the hand after a few strokes. Reserved throughout the interaction and ignores offered treats. 11/11/22 Quiet in the litter box, ignores treats, sniffs catnip briefly, but accepts petting leaning in gently for cheek rubs for a full minute before tiring of it and giving a hiss. 11/12/22 Comfortable on her bedding upon approach. Alert with soft eye. She starts off shy and hissed but warms up to touch. She head bunts the hand after a few strokes. Adjusting well at the care center. *Enrichment notes continued in GAN*

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

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

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: New home adjustment period,Fearful,Uncomfortable with pick up

Potential challenges comments:: During the previous evaluation, when reaching around her body to gently nudge her forward and attempt pick up, she hisses and respectfully swats at the assessor's hand. When using a towel to safely pick her up and transfer her into a den, she attempts to retreat, slip out from under the towel, and growls.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children,No other cats OR multi-cat home with adopters experienced with introducing new cats

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Brilla is a shy, timid, and independent cat who has begun showing signs of deterioration since her previous evaluation. About one month ago, she would need some time to warm up before showing her sweet side (hissed at the start of interactions and then head bunted for petting and leaned in for cheek rubs) but now does not appreciate or tolerate attention and will resort to hissing, growling, and swatting. She was lying down curled up at the back of the top cubby with her head and ears forward and pokes her head though the portal door watch the assessor. When spoken to and opening the cubby door, she hisses and steps back against the corner. Brilla swats treats offered out of the assessor's hand and accepts them when the assessor pulls their hand away. The assessor uses the scratcher tool to reach close and she hisses again, leans her head back, down, and away, begins growling when pet on the head and body, and then swats the tool. Pick up was not attempted in order to reduce stress. Brilla is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. She has tried to swat, scratch, is extremely fearful in the shelter environment, and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. We are unable to determine if her change in behavior is due to shelter stress and/or her long term stay in shelter; regardless, the behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.