Animal Profile
Pita Chip
Hello, my name is Pita Chip. My animal id is #234461. I am a desexed male gray tabby cat at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 8 years 3 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a stray on 8/16/2025.
Pita Chip 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. Pita Chip 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. A volunteer writes: Pita Chip's taken to airing his grievances with everyone because he knows the right person will help him get to a place where he doesn't have to worry about those things anymore. Found alone in his carrier at a bus stop, what we know of Pita Chip's beginnings certainly warrant his confusion and frustration, but there's a beautiful little kitty inside and one who seeks a connection. Running to the front of his condo when he saw me visiting with a neighbor, it's true that Pita Chip loves a supportive audience to listen to his concerns, but he also wants to form a connection with someone. Albeit in his own way. Pita Chip hasn't been very interested in pets or toys and seems to be more of a treat guy. He's really hoping to find a family who will welcome him as he is.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 9.06 lbs
8/19/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 8-10yo based on dentition and condition Is this an orphan kitten? n Is the kitten eating on own? n Is the kitten suckling? n Microchip noted on Intake? scan neg History: found stray Subjective: BARH Observed Behavior - growling, yowling, hissing and striking. Elected to sedate with 0.09ml dex/ket/torb each IM. Achieved good sedation - able to perform all examination Is there evidence of Cruelty? n Is there evidence of Neglect? n Is there evidence of Trauma? n Objective BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Moderate tartar, calculus, resorbtive lesion in upper PM PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male neutered, no barbs on penis MSI: Ambulatory x 4 pre-sedation, moderate muscle wasting along epaxials, mild over hind limbs. Skin free of parasites, no masses noted, flaky hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Wood's Lamp Exam: NP Assessment senior MN DSH High FAS in care Stage 2-3 dental disease Moderate muscle wasting r/o chronic disease Prognosis: fair Plan: Routine intake procedures Send out CBC/Chem/TT4 Gabapentin 100mg PO BID x 2 weeks for FAS - discontinue if not taking Recommend dental procedure SURGERY: Already neutered
8/22/2025
CBC: Hct 28.2 (L) CHEM: Globulin 2.9 (L) TT4: wnl Interpretation: Anemia (non-regenerative vs pre-regenerative) - recommend recheck bw in 2-4 weeks
8/22/2025
Beh req gaba trial, rx'd gaba 100mg PO BID indef, to follow up in 2 weeks
8/31/2025
difficult to determine if anti-anxiety (gabapentin) medications are being taken or have a beneficial effect
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 5. Red
KNOWN HISTORY:: Pita Chip was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment. When staff approached the carrier Pita Chip would hiss, spit, and strike at the carrier. Staff ultimately tipped the carrier in order to transfer Pita Chip to a den. Pita Chip was quiet in the den, and began to yowl again once placed in pre-exam.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 8/27/25 FB61 Sitting upright on his cat den, body and face neutral with his pupils dilated and tail curled around his feet. He vocalizes when spoken to and when I attempt petting with the scratcher tool he tenses and leans away, paw raising in warning. I don't push it further and instead I give him some temptation treats which he eats immediately. I speak to him softly and slow-blink as I offer more treats. Likes treats - may benefit from clicker training! 9/05/25 FB61 Pita chip is sitting upright on top of his den as I approach, ears forward, face neutral and tail curled lightly around his feet. Pita chip does not respond when offered treats today and when I attempt petting with the scratcher tool he is tolerant while tensing his body and turning his head to watch the scratcher pass along his back. Pita chip begins to stress meow and I end the session before he can escalate further to reduce stress. I give pita chip a catnip toy to play with later at his leisure and I speak to him softly before ending the session. Pita chip is very chatty! 9/11/25 FB61 Pita chip was sitting on his cat den as the assessor approached, ears forward, eyes bright and tail wrapped neatly around his feet. Pita chip so blanked with a relaxed expression when spoken to and he vocalized as the kennel door opens. Pita Chip stepped down off of his den as padding began, and he leaned in while raising his tail. Pita chip did stress me meow as petting continued, and he did try to flee his kennel, a couple of times, however he did not escalate further when using the scratcher tool. Due to stress vocalizations pick up was not attempted at this time.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate
VOCAL:: Talkative
CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Affectionate,Curious,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
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 Pita Chip would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: On approach, Pita Chip was sitting loafed on top of his den and begins to whine and stress vocalize as the cage door is opened. He sits with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated, ears tilted. When the scratcher tool is offered, he sits up to lunge and swat at it multiple times. He is not comfortable with touch with the tool and pick up is not attempted. 9/12/25 Although timid initially, Pita Chip has now warmed up to the shelter environment. Pita Chip was standing on top of his cat den as the assessor approached, body and face relaxed with his ears forward and his tail high. Pita Chip vocalized when spoken to and he stepped down off of his den to greet the assessor as the kennel door opened. Pita Chip allowed petting with the assess-a-hand while leaning in, arching his back and vocalizing. Pita Chip did begin to stress meow with continued petting and the assessor does not attempt pick up at this time. Pita Chip did not escalate past stress-vocalizations during this assessment. Pita Chip tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.