Animal Profile

Fillo 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. 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 Fillo 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 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: Fillo plays like a baby kitten. He tosses his toys all over his condo, looking on with delighted surprise before he flops over on them, refolding his blankets as his paws fly every which way in the process. There's just one teeny tiny thing about Fillo's joyful playtime - he hasn't wanted to play with any staff or volunteers who would love nothing more than to join him. When Fillo's doing his own thing, he looks as comfortable and curious as a cat should be. When I try to pet him or say hello, his ears go into airplane mode and he seems to suddenly remember that where he is is where he absolutely doesn't want to be. Although I want so much for Fillo to be my friend, he's told me several times he has no interest in that at the moment and, quite frankly, hasn't since coming to us in August. Fillo lived in a home with many other cats and maybe just watching him play is what a friendship looks to him now. We know that love looks like a forever family who will love and celebrate him exactly as he is.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 10.2 lbs

Medical Notes

8/7/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 7-10y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Owner surrender due to too many cats Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Tense, but allows all handling for exam and vaccinations Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Evidence of Neglect seen-no Evidence of Trauma seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 3/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears AU brown waxy dc, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: moderate dental tartar and linear gingivitis PDDZ stage 2/4 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 ear mites PDDZ underweight Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks neuter new home selamectin 45mg topically SURGERY: Okay for surgery

8/15/2025

SO: Reported sniffling and sneezing with watery eyes BAR, crouched at back of cubby in kennel eent: eyes clear, serous ocular dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-mild P: High FAS, will try to minimize hands on treatments fortiflora 1 sachet PO SID x7d

8/16/2025

BAR, hiding in top cubby, hissed when approached ate all wet food in kennel mild serous nasal dc A: URI-mild P: continue current treatment plan

8/21/2025

Recheck URI S: QAR laying down in kennel, growls when approached. Food bowls appear eaten. O: EEN- eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge H/L- Eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion MSK/i- Ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat Neuro- alert/appropriate A: URI appears resolved Eating P: CTM

10/2/2025

Audible congestion heard while cage side during rounds S: QAR + comes to front of kennel door, strikes at kennel pouch as I place UTW sign O: EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal discharge noted RESP: Eupneic, but mild audible congestion noted MSI: Ambulatory x 4 CNS: Mentation appropriate/ alert A: Mild URI recurrence P: Fortiflora 1 packet PO SID x7d Monitor in care

10/9/2025

SO: BAR, tense at back of kennel 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- apparently resolved P: monitor for recurrence

10/15/2025

SO: Updating exam after scratch incident. BAR, perched on top of den eent: eyes clear, dried nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-moderate P: no clinical signs of rabies appreciated on rabies observation monitor appetite treatment of URI may be difficult due to behavior

10/24/2025

SO: Due for release from rabies observation BAR, perched on top of den, appears to be eating with normal appetite 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.

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Fillo was brought in with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. Fillo previously lived in a home with 20+ cats.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 8/10/25 FB32 PREVIOUS ASSESSMENT Fillo was curled up at the back of the top cubby with a neutral body and eyes. He sniffs treats offered and allows petting on the head, cheeks, and back but he is unbothered, lip licks, and does not engage with the attention. When reaching around his body and gently pulling him forward, he tenses up and stands his ground. When briefly picking him up, he grabs hold of the kennel. After placing him back down, he retreats to the shelf and climbs down to the back corner of the main kennel area with his ears tilted and eyes widened. He continues to tolerate more petting and cheek rubs at the end of the interaction. 8/15/25 FB26 Laid out inside the den upon approach. He hissed but was curious and sniffed the scratcher tool. Ears turned to the side while allowing brief pets. Lip licked throughout the interaction and remained in place. Ended with offered treats. 8/17/25 Vol. Resting comfortably in main kennel area, front paws tucked under his body. Sniffed a cup of Temptations, then sat up. Was very agitated by drool, pawing at his face and trying to dislodge it. Fled to top cubby. Stared out with airplane ears with sweet talk, and continued to drip snot/drool. Overall looked miserable 9/5/25 In top cubby - when opened door to look in, Fillo hissed loudly, ears flattened, eyes narrow. Opened main door and Fillo glared from cubby entry, eyes narrow, ears almost flat. Pushed treat bowl close to entry - he ignored it Continue to sit and watch from cubby - sweet talked and he still sat. Sweet talked some more and ended interaction 9/11/25 Fillo was lying on his side towards the back of the cubby, ears halfway flattened, scowling, with whiskers pointing down. He then began to scan the room. He hissed at the tool extended with the treat, then low growled and backed up towards the rear of the kennel and lifted his paw as if to strike at the tool. Ended interaction, leaving a few treats. Needs more time. 9/12/25 In top cubby, hissed when climbed up to look. Hissed when put treat bowl on shelf by cubby entry - staring at it. Approached with hard treats on scratcher tool - let rest on cubby entry. No reaction. Dropped treats and let tool rest again. No reaction. Ended interaction 9/17/25 FB20 Fillo was in his top cubby, before door is opened he hissed. When door is opened, he is offered a treat and sniffs in briefly, then ignoring it. He is pet softly on the head with a scratcher tool, he closes his eyes briefly and folds his paws under body. Interaction is ended. 9/29/25 FB32 Resting curled up at back of top cubby. When spoken to and opening the door, he immediately harshly hisses. Sniffs treats offered on scratcher tool and allows petting on the head, cheeks, and body but he hisses again, lip licks, and lowers his head. He starts to tolerate the petting more and slow blinks. -----CONTINUED IN GAN-----

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

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

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

Potential challenges comments:: Fillo has a scratch history. During an interaction with a potential adopter, after a few minutes of playing and pawing at a feather, Fillo lunged, hissed, and scratched. Fillo is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is very apprehensive of people and has displayed distance-increasing behavior with extended handling. Fear aggression can occur when a cat perceives a threat and may escalate if they cannot escape. A fearful cat will feel more relaxed when given options, so provide him with the chance to move closer, investigate, or interact with you. Be sure to offer incentive such as treats or play time whenever the cat makes a small positive step. It is difficult to predict if he will respond to socialization but we recommend offering high value treats and food to help build a positive association to humans. Please be mindful that older cats will require more time and skill in order for them to be comfortable around people.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to a bite/scratch history, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult-only cat parent home.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 9/25/25 Fillo is hiding in the back of his cubby, displaying fear and stress with dilated pupils and hissing when approached. He shows mild curiosity about treats but stays tense and focused on the assessor. He tolerates brief petting with a scratcher tool but remains very tense, frequently lip-licking, and does not accept further contact. He eats treats when left alone. 10/22/25 Fillo is on top of his den laying down, his paws tucked under him. When the kennel door is opened, his ears flatten against his head. He watches as the scratcher tool is presented to him with treats. Once the treats are set down and tool is slightly moved back, Fillo swats at the tool with hard pressure and claws out. He begins to eat the treats. When scratcher tool moves towards his cheeks, Fillo growls and flinches, swatting again with intensity. When the kennel door is closed, Fillo continues to finish his treats. Fillo is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and may require further investigation before placement in a home. He has tried to swat and scratch 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.