Animal Profile

Joe 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.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Joe 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: Joe tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter and may be intimidated by small children. He may be under-socialized and may always be a cat that avoids humans in the home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home with pet parents who prefer a cat companion that stays to themselves. I have lived with cats in my previous home. I have potential behavior challenges that staff will address with you when you meet me. I'm an independent kitty who likes to do my own thing. 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. A volunteer writes: Perhaps feeling a little out of his depth here at the Care Center, Joe's taken to his den to sort things out. I don't want to assume, but I imagine there's an insurmountable kind of tinge to them only exacerbated by Joe's dedication to doing it all on his own. Joe came to us from a home with other cats and may prefer to do things this way as he also may not have a lot of experience meeting new people. We keep trying to explain that though we are new people, we also have treats, toys, blankets, and beds to offer. For his part, Joe seems almost entirely uninterested except not quite as he's adorably a little curious about treats. When it comes to making new friends or finding a forever family, we understand that Joe might have to try it his way first, we're just hoping that his forever family will love and appreciate his efforts as they welcome him into their home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 8.42 lbs

Medical Notes

3/30/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~1-3 years based on dentition / condition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray Subjective: BAR prior to sedation pink moist mm, CRT <2s Observed Behavior - Conflicted - Vocalizing in den but returning slow blinks, attempted to remove slowly with towel but then P attempted to bite --> sedated for safety Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL (sedated) R = WNL (sedated) BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean dentition / mild staining of dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2s, Lungs clear, eupneic, negative ITC ABD: Soft, nonpainful, no masses palpated U/G: Male - intact, two symmetrical scrotal testicles MSI: Prior to sedation - Ambulatory x 4, full orthopedic exam not performed INT: Healthy hair coat, no masses noted, no ectoparasites seen CNS: Prior to sedation - mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Normal externally Wood's Lamp Exam: Not performed Assessment: High FAS Apparently healthy MI young adult DSH Prognosis: Good Plan: SEDATED --> dexmedetomidine 0.08mL, butorphanol 0.08mL, ketamine 0.08mL IM @9:43AM --> P still sternal / growling persistently after 10min --> top up dexmedetomidine 0.03mL, butorphanol 0.03mL, ketamine 0.03mL IM give @9:56AM --> light sedation achieved but able to complete all medical tasks / exam Antisedan 0.04mL IM for reversal @10:09AM --> P sternal prior to leaving exam room OK for appropriate intake tasks ADD Gabapentin 100mg (~25mg/kg) PO BID TFN SURGERY: Okay for surgery

4/5/2026

Behavior staff requesting behavior modification medication adjustment due to high FAS and hissing. P already on gabapentin ~25mg/kg PO BID. INCREASE Gabapentin to 150mg (~40mg/kg) PO BID TFN

4/8/2026

Pre-Op Exam, cageside S/O: BAR, no c/s/v/d noted EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge noted Lungs: Eupneic, normal respiratory rate/effort ABD: No obvious distention MSI: Ambulatory x 4, no notable lameness CNS: Mentation appropriate A: Appears to be suitable candidate for anesthesia, ASA status I P: Accepted for surgery - spay/neuter today Was this cat a Cryptorchid? no If so, describe surgical process: Routine Feline Neuter Self tie of spermatic cord Green Linear Tattoo Placed near Midline Surgeon: 990665 Additional Note:

4/9/2026

[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

4/15/2026

Post Surgical Exam Attitude/demeanor: BAR Appetite: eating C/S/V/D: none Incision site: no swelling, bruising, or bleeding Pain level: appears comfortable Licking, chewing, or biting surgical site noted: not observed Additional notes:none

4/20/2026

Feline beh request gaba for trial, starting on gaba 100mg PO BID indef in care

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Joe was brought in from a hoarding situation with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 4/2/26 FB58 In his den and hisses with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated. When the den cover is lifted he shows no interest in treats and is very wary of touch. I don't push him for much as he seems as if he may flee. I leave him an enrichment cup and a catnip toy sprayed with feliway. 4/3/26 FB79 Chubby cheeks Joe is inside of his den with his paws straight out and his face neutral when i lofted the den cover; he leaned in to sniff treats and started to eat until i brought the tool in which made him pull away. He tried to avoid contact by moving his head and looking away but remained tolerant when i continued to pet and speak to him softly. When i removed the tool he didnt lean in for his treats so i lowered the den cover and left a toy out in the kennel. 4/07/26 FB61 In cat den upon approach, body and face completely hidden from view. He does not come out of his den when offered treats or a catnip toy. I spend the session speaking to him softly and I spray feliway before ending the session. Needs more time to adjust. 4/10/26 FB79 At the top part of the kennel, Joe is perched with his tail loose, neutral eyes and forward ears; no reaction when I greeted or when I brought the tool in for pets. I pet his back and body with no issues however when I brought the tool close to his head he pulled away harshly to avoid contact. After a few moments he tolerated pets on his head and cheeks with no reaction. 4/12/26 Vol. Joe was at the back of his perch, looking towards the kennel door. As I opened it, he made low grumbling sounds and hissed a few times. I put Squeeze Up on the perch but he did not go near it. His ears were flat against his head. I spoke to him as he continued to grumble and alternately lick his lips. I did not touch him in order to avoid escalating his behavior. I tried speaking to him and then remaining silent. He tended to stop grumbling when I stopped speaking, so I basically engaged with him by just being there and looking at him. In order to reinforce positive behavior, I ended the interaction when he was not grumbling. 4/13/26 Today, Joe tolerated some petting on his head and cheeks before pulling away; his body was slightly tense with his shoulders hunched and his tail slightly wrapped but his eyes were neutral and almond as he watched me for other movement. I didnt push more contact and left some treats and toys. 4/16/26 FB58 Laying curled at the back of the shelf with a tense face and body, and he hisses and growls on approach but remains in place. I offer him a tray with tuna through the food slot and he hisses and does an aborted lunge. I use the scratcher tool to push the tray closer to him, and as the tool gets close he hisses, growls, and swats at it multiple times. May need to monitor him to potentially re-eval to NHO if he continues to swat at the tool when petting is attempted. GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavior flyers for more information. Joe was described to be from a hoarding situation and is likely under-socialized around humans.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Joe was hunched in his cat den as the assessor approached, body and face tense with his tail wrapped tightly around his body. Joe made eye contact with a tense expression when spoken to and he remained frozen in place as the kennel door opened. Joe tolerated petting from within his den while remaining very still and maintaining eye contact with the assessor, his pupils dilated. Pick up was not attempted at this time to reduce stress. Joe tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter and may be intimidated by small children. He may be under-socialized and may always be a cat that avoids humans in the home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home with pet parents who prefer a cat companion that stays to themselves.