Animal Profile

Sudoku is on the At Risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and though he is social with familiar handlers, he has a bite history and displays signs of overstimulation during interactions. He is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. Without providing activity for his mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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 feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid further bite/scratch incidents.

You may know me from such films as...

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. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Sudoku is on the At Risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and though he is social with familiar handlers, he has a bite history and displays signs of overstimulation during interactions. He is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. Without providing activity for his mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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 feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid further bite/scratch incidents. What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! I love to be loved, but on my own terms! Let's brush up on some feline body language together! I prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets. A volunteer writes: Sudoku started kneading as soon as he saw me and then came forward with greetings for the ages. Sudoku was left behind in a building and a dedicated caretaker kept him where they could. Aside from that, he's been on his for a little while, so his history before is a little bit of a puzzle and so is seeing him here now. Sudoku's the type of cat who only wants to be part of the action, sharing his friendship and love with anyone looking his way. We know that too much of anything isn't always the best, so Sudoku's looking for someone who wants to learn about his body language and respect his wishes equally for when he wants to take a break and when he wants to cuddle and play. He's hoping it'll be you.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.2375 lbs

Medical Notes

6/10/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3-7y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Surrendered after scratch incident Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Tense but allows all handling for exam and tasks Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: not performed 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 apparently healthy Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks appropriate for DOH hold neuter after hold released new home SURGERY: Okay for surgery after hold released

6/17/2026

SO: Due for release from rabies observation BAR, comes to front of kennel soliciting attention and treats eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate, no neurological deficits appreciated at this time A: no clinical signs of rabies appreciated P: Patient has appropriate mentation at this time (no neurologic signs present) and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at MACC.

6/20/2026

SO: Needs updated exam following bite incident BAR, comes to kennel door for treats offered eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: no clinical signs of rabies appreciated P: continue observation

6/25/2026

Heard sneezing during cage side rounds S: QAR, at front of kennel O: EENT: Eyes clear, but mild epiphora OU. Clear nasal to white nasal discharge noted H/L: Eupneic, but sneezing and mild wet audible congestion noted ABD: Relaxed MSI: Ambulatory x 4, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities A: Moderate URI P: LRS 100mls SQ q24hr x3d Cerenia 10mg/ml 0.4 ml SQ q24hr x3d Zorbium for appropriate weight Doxycycline 100mg/ml 0.4 ml PO SID x7d Monitor

6/25/2026

unable to administer injectables due to behavior, but pet ate some churu during interaction P: d/c injectables continue with oral doxycycline

6/30/2026

On 6/30/2025 at approximately 11am, I examined Sudoku 256865. He has appropriate mentation at this time with no neurologic signs present, and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at ACC.

7/2/2026

SO: BAR, comes to kennel door seeking attention and taking treats offered. Most wet food has been eaten eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI moderated P: extending doxycycline additional 4 days

7/6/2026

S: recheck URI O: EENT - no nasal or ocular discharge noted. Occ C or S noted on wellness log over past 4 weeks. A: apparently healthy P: CTM in care.

7/10/2026

Feline Behavior requesting 2 week Gabapentin trial due to FAS noted in care. P: Gabapentin 100mg capsules PO BID x14d then reassess

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Sudoku was brought in with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. Bite/Scratch History: The caretaker stated that he had been in their building for 8 months. They had placed him in a vacant apartment and had been feeding him (unsure of the duration of time they had interacted with/been feeding the cat). They stated that on 6/7/26 they went to put food and water down for Sudoku and he lunged at them. The cat scratched both of the victim's arm, their left leg, and both feet. They stated that they lost a lot of blood, and the victim was admitted to the hospital. The incident occurred on Sunday, and the victim was released from the hospital on Tuesday.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 6/13/26 FB73 An ACS staff member reported that Sudoku is social and approaches handlers for petting and attention but does overstimulate and will swat. 6/18/26 FB20 Sudoku greets the handler with a high tail and neutral body language. He sits patiently at the front of the kennel and allows handler to drop treats in front of him that he eats readily. 6/22/26 FB73 Sudoku was not as social as usual today but also appeared UTW (notated on board for VS) which is likely contributing to the behavior. He tolerated brief petting on the head before backing away, lip licking, and tensing. He was observed while an ACS staff member was cleaning him later that day to hiss and swat during cleaning. 6/24/26 FB09 Sudoku was lying at the front of his kennel with soft, neutral eyes and was sniffling and congested. He approached to eagerly eat the treats offered to him and accepted pets along the head and body while eating. He was lethargic, sitting still and sniffling for a while. 7/8/26 FB73 Sudoku is laying curled up in his litter box, getting up, meowing, and leaning his body against the kennel door to solicit attention as the handler approaches. He appears a bit anxious, scrambling to follow the handler if they move to the other side of the kennel. When the door is opened, he allows and leans into petting on the head and cheeks for a minute or two before tensing a bit. Squeeze up is placed on a tray and he allows the handler to place it in front of him. He quickly eats all of it. Continues to appear anxious throughout the interaction, moving quickly and meowing to follow the handler for attention.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Social,Sweet,Curious

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: See relevant behavior flyers. Sudoku is social and affectionate but appears to be easily overstimulated. As a result of this observed behavior, we recommend adopters who are familiar with signs of behavioral arousal and agitation in cats, so that interactions can be ended before becomes overstimulated. We also recommend fishing pole-type toys for play as they allow for interaction and vigorous, stimulating exercise while keeping human hands at a distance.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to scratch history and potential for overstimulation, adult only home.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 06/15/26 Sudoku is standing in the middle of the kennel, pupils slightly dilated, approaching the front of the kennel and extending his paw outside of the door to solicit attention as the assessor approaches. When the kennel door is opened, he leans forward to head bunt the assessor's hand, allowing and leaning into all petting. He allows petting for a couple minutes before beginning to tail flick. He attempts to exit the kennel and is slightly tense when the assessor maneuvers him back in, continuing to tail flick. Pickup is not attempted due to observed behavior. The interaction is ended to avoid overstimulation. When the assessor passes by a bit later in the evening, Sudoku meows at them softly, gently extending a paw to solicit attention and allowing some more petting on the head and cheeks. 07/15/26 Sudoku was at the front of his kennel with neutral eyes and forward ears as he let out a meow for attention. He came forward once the door opened and eagerly ate the treats offered to him. He accepted extensive petting along his head and back while eating. When transitioning to pick up, his body tensed slightly as he let out a stress meow. When being placed down, he returned to the front and scanned the room curiously as his tail began swaying back and forth. He accepted some more petting afterwards before redirecting his attention back onto his food. While Sudoku is social and appears to appreciate some attention and petting, he has a behavioral history that precludes placement in the adoptions room and or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He allows and solicits interaction and petting but will swat when he is overstimulated. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time. He may have a known history of behavioral issues that need to be addressed.