Animal Profile

Pony 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. Pony 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: I have lived with cats in my previous home. I'm an independent kitty who likes to do my own thing. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. It could be with you! Click here to learn more about the adoption process! A volunteer writes: Pony was brought to us from a home with many other cats, whose company he's said to very much enjoyed, when their guardian passed away. We've heard he's friendly and outgoing when given the chance to warm up and we've seen glimpses of that as he allows pets from time to time. It's just that shelter life isn't always the most conducive to getting those quiet chances to come around on your own. Mostly trying to keep to himself in his den, Pony's been trying to explain from there in his own way that he could use a little chance. Though an independent kind of guy, he appreciates quality time with those closest to him and he hopes to get that opportunity again.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 12.1875 lbs

Medical Notes

2/7/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5-8 y/o based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? scan negative History: Owner surrender, from densely populated multi-cat house Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - tense and hissed when opened kennel; then introduced cat glove gently and P allowed pets; then P mouthed glove did not bite fully; Elected to sedate with dexmed/ket/torb 0.12ml of each; adequate sedation achieved though P intermittent small/short twitches. Antagonized with 0.1ml antisedan. Is there evidence of Cruelty? no Is there evidence of Neglect? no Is there evidence of Trauma? no Objective T = not taken P = wnl R = wnl BCS 5-6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, mild-mod amount brown waxy discharge in canals AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: moderate tartar and gingivitis over upper arcades premolars and molars PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: male neutered, no testes palpable MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat, mildly prolonged skin tent CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally normal Assessment: ~6 y/o MN DSH Moderate dental disease Anorexic overnight and this AM Mildly overweight Prognosis: Good Plan: Ok for intake tasks Recommend dental procedure once placed if possible Blood sample taken for IDexx CBC/Chem/T4 pre-dental BW Administered LRS 100ml SQ once SURGERY: Already neutered

2/9/2026

Brief recheck: BAR, no ocular/nasal discharge. No monitor log placed on kennel, fresh food placed (unable to assess appetite), may have eaten some dry food. Per standing orders: -Placed monitor log on kennel to assess appetite. -CTM, recheck appetite in 3 days

2/10/2026

Blood work results: CBC: sl lymphocytosis (7.1) sl monocytosis (0.755) sl basophilia (0.169) *noted that slide review showed slightly toxic neutrophils without neutrophilia CHEM: hyperglycemia (260) A. increased WBCs r/o stress vs inflam vs open H glucose r/o stress vs true hypoglycemia P. CTM - sl H BG likely due to stress and p has high FAS. Rec additional dx's if noted to be PU/PD, not eating, wound need sedation

2/12/2026

Progress exam: Subjective: Appetite recheck Objective: AS:2 noted on log. Fresh food present in kennel ASSESSMENT: Presumed fair appetite PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM on daily rounds while in QACC

2/27/2026

Start gabapentin 100 mg PO BID for FAS in shelter

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Pony was shy/nervous but was friendly enough to allow staff to handle.

Basic Information:: Pony is a 3-year-old male cat that has lived with his previous owner for 3 years.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults and other cats

How is this cat around strangers?: Pony is a shy cat that can warm up and be affectionate/social with new people when given time.

How is this cat around children?: Pony has no experience with children.

How is this cat around other cats?: Pony is used to being around cats and will be friendly/outgoing when given the time to warm up.

How is this cat around dogs?: Pony has no experience with dogs.

Behavior Notes: Pony is tolerant of all handling but will squirm when being picked up to place into a carrier.

Bite history:: No known bite/scratch history.

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Pony enjoys quality time while also being independent. He will play with toys and interact on her own terms. Pony enjoys Friskies food/treats and will use any kind of litter/litterbox. He has only spent time indoors.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 2 adults and other cats Behavior toward strangers Pony is a shy cat that can warm up and be affectionate/social with new people when given time. Behavior toward children: Pony has no experience with children. Behavior toward cats: Pony is used to being around cats and will be friendly/outgoing when given the time to warm up. Behavior toward dogs: Pony is tolerant of all handling but will squirm when being picked up to place into a carrier. Bite or Scratch history: No known bite/scratch history. Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: Medium Other notes: Pony enjoys quality time while also being independent. He will play with toys and interact on her own terms. Pony enjoys Friskies food/treats and will use any kind of litter/litterbox. He has only spent time indoors. Upon intake Pony was shy/nervous but was friendly enough to allow staff to handle. Pony is tolerant of all handling but will squirm when being picked up to place into a carrier.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 2/8/26 Vol Pony was in his den. I removed the cover and saw him lying down, looking out at me. I offered Squeeze Up and Temptations at the opening of the den but he remained inside. He allowed me to pet him with the scratcher for a few moments. Then, he turned around and faced the back of the den. I ended the interaction. When I checked on him later, he was lying down, with his head up, displaying a very calm demeanor. 2/10/26 FB61 In cat den upon approach, body tense with his head peering out at me. He hisses hard when spoken to and I spend the session offering treats while speaking to him softly and returning slow-blinks. He retreats into his den completely when I open the kennel door and I do not push petting today. He eats the treats closest to him as I make the way around the room and he freezes/stops engaging with the treats when he notices that I am watching. Needs more time to adjust. 2/13/26 FB79 At the top part of the kennel, Pony is hunched over, tense with airplane ears and hisses when i open the kennel door; his eyes are wide and dilated as he continues to hiss over and over but after a few moments he slow blinks back at me. However he returns to harshly hissing when i bring the tool in for pets. He allowed pets on his head and cheeks but his body was still tense and his ears flat. 2/18/26 FB06 Pony is in his den out of view. As I open the door and slowly offer the scratcher he begins to hiss and low growl. He tolerated some body pets while continuing to hiss and growl. When I returned to give treats he was still low growling in the den. 2/19/26 FB79 Inside of the den, Pony has half his face poking out of the door and his eyes are soft and almond until i get close and speak to him through the glass; he hisses and his eyes dilate when i speak and when i open the kennel door he hisses once more as i see one of his ears tilt. I offer treats and speak to him softly without contact and he remains quiet/still until i close the door and end the interaction. 2/27/26 FB79 At the side of the den, Pony is perched with a neutral face and forward ears; he slow blinks once but then his ears tilt when i push a tray of treats near him. He tolerated all pets on his head with the tool before entering the den slowly with a mid level tail and body. 2/27/26 FB20 Kennel cover is lifted to view Pony, who is sitting on top of his den. His ears are airplaned and he hisses and spits, lunging forward slightly. He continues to hiss until the cover is placed again. (around 1 hour after previous enrichment note) 3/03/26 FB58 In den upon approach, hissing and lunging towards the front of his kennel as the fake hand reaches towards him. I take the den cover off and he tolerates touch with the hand and tool while hissing, growling and trembling. He appears to like cheek scratchers as his eyes soften and close. He shoes no interest in the treats offered and he lunges again as his den cover is put back in place.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful

Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavior flyer for more information.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Pony was hiding in his cat den as the assessor approached, body and face tense with his feet and tail tucked and his pupils dilated. Pony did not respond when spoken to or as the kennel door opened. Pony tolerated petting along his head and back with the scratcher tool from within his den while remaining very tense, tilting his ears and maintaining eye contact with dilated pupils. Pick up was not attempted at this time to reduce stress. Pony 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.