Animal Profile

Dix 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. 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 Dix 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: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! I have lived with cats 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 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'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. I would do best in a home with only adult humans.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.4 lbs

Medical Notes

5/23/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: Mature Adult, ~3 years History: Owner Surrender; multi-cat household Subjective: QAR Is there suspected evidence of cruelty seen? - No. Objective BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted H/L: Eupneic U/G: Unknown MSI: Ambulatory x 4, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good, pending Plan: Visual exam; no tasks performed Complete remaining tasks at time of surgical anesthesia Gabapentin 100 mg PO BID indefinitely SURGERY: Okay for surgery

5/27/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3 years Microchip noted on Intake? none History: owner surrender, multi-cat household Subjective: sedated Observed Behavior - hiding in cage/box Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? no Objective: T = P = R = BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: mild tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: intact male MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat, healed wounds on face CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: not performed Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: apparently healthy, intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: ok for intake tasks SURGERY: Okay for surgery Was this cat a Cryptorchid? If so, describe surgical process: Routine Feline Neuter Self tie of spermatic cord Green Linear Tattoo Placed near Midline Surgeon: 990665 Additional Note:

5/28/2026

[Post Surgical Exam] Attitude/demeanor: QAR Appetite: eating well C/S/V/D: none Incision site: no swelling, bruising, or bleeding; sutures appear intact Pain level: appears comfortable Licking, chewing, or biting surgical site noted: no Additional notes: None

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Dix was brought in from a hoarding situation with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. He is thought to have lived with 50+ cats.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 5/28/26 FB61 In cat den upon approach, body and face tense. He reaches out and swats the scratcher tool as it approaches his den with a tray of treats. Very nervous at this time, needs more time to adjust. 6/04/26 FB25 He is sitting crouched on top of his den. His face is tense with low eye lids and a very tight body. After a bit, he does return a few slow blinks. When I slowly open the kennel door, he jumps upright, hisses and his ears go completely flat. I put some treats through the holes in the kennel door and don't push further.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

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

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period,Adult cat socialization

Potential challenges comments:: Dix came from a home with about 50+ other cats, it is likely that he was not appropriately socialized to humans.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to the behavior seen in shelter and needing a longer time to warm up, the behavior team feels Dix would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment. Dix may benefit from being in a home with another, friendly, and appropriately socialized cat from whom he can learn behaviors and have interactions with humans modeled by, to help him gain confidence and comfort in a new environment.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 5/26/26 Upon approach, Dix was curled up on top of the den, face and eyes neutral, ears forward. As the kennel door opened and the scratcher was slowly offered, he gently sniffed. The scratcher was passed along his backside, fur twitches and he jumps behind the den. Following him with the scratcher, he then jumps up to the ledge. When touch is attempted again, he ducks and dodges the scratcher avoiding all touch and slightly lifting one paw up as he pressed against the back of the ledge. He begins to lip lick, squirming his body away from the scratcher. No pick up was attempted at this time. 5/28/26 Upon meeting with Dix again, he is laying on his shelf with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated, ears tilted, and tail wrapped tightly around his body. When the assessor opens the cage door he hisses and tenses more, pulling back with eyes wide as the assessor slowly offers out the scratcher tool. As the tool gets closer, he backs away and as the assessor makes contact, they are able to touch him a couple times on the head and once along the back before he turns quickly and lunges, biting the tool multiple times before holding on. Later when the assessor returns with the Assess-A-Hand, he is in his den and hidden from view. As the assessor slowly moves the fake hand towards the den opening, he swiftly reaches out and swats the hand twice with significant force. The interaction is ended. Dix is an under socialized adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is displaying a very high level of FAS, which when pushed or he is made to feel "cornered" during any interactions can result in more extreme defensive aggression. Dix is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He has tried to swat, bite, is extremely fearful in the shelter environment, and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.