Animal Profile

Minerva is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. She is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. Without providing activity for her mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. It is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid (further) bite/scratch incidents.

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. Due to the detailed behavior issues, this animal is only available for foster/adoption through one of ACC's New Hope Partners. If you are interested in adopting or fostering, please fill out the pre-screener form. This animal is not directly available for adoption through ACC and is only available by completing the pre-screener form.Adoption inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Minerva is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. She is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. Without providing activity for her mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. It is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid (further) bite/scratch incidents. A volunteer writes: In Minerva's previous home, she loved to sit at the window. Helpfully keeping tabs on all the neighborhood squirrels and birds was kind of her thing. She's not the chattiest of cats, but still likes to be invited, so I imagine she just enjoyed seeing the comings and goings of her outside friends from her comfortable periphery. Things have changed for Minerva and like all of us, she has some room to grow and is working on how to become the best cat she can be. She still likes to have a bit of distance, similar to the one her favorite window provided, but right now her focus (and ours) is building positive associations with people. What does this look like for Minerva? Well, mostly leaving treats sprinkled around her condo (which she likes, thank you very much) and some pets with the scratcher tool (which she sometimes accepts with or without a hiss, thank you very much). Becoming the butterfly we're meant to be can take time, patience and a whole lot of love. She's hoping to find a warm window seat again where she can join in on her own terms.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 13.5 lbs

Medical Notes

11/18/2024

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 10 years Microchip noted on Intake? scanned positive History: owner surrender Subjective: QAR, sedated for exam, hissing Observed Behavior - Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective BCS: 7/9 overweight cat EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: missing right maxillary canine, mandibular incisors missing, maxillary incisors missing PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: spayed MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: senior cat, overweight, apparently healthy Prognosis: fair Plan: intake tasks SURGERY: permanent spay die to already altered

11/27/2024

Progress exam Subjective: BAR, no c/s/v/d Objective: Eyes: Clear bilaterally, no discharge Oronasal: No nasal discharge. Lungs: Eupneic Musculoskeletal: Ambulatory x 4 with no appreciable lameness. Neuro: Appropriate mentation. Assessment: -Dental disease with missing teeth -Senior pet -Overweight Plan: No evidence of neurologic disease

12/3/2024

Rabies vx given

12/24/2024

Progress exam: Sneezing & congestion noted on rounds board twice Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. Sneeze marks on condo door Objective: EYES: Clear, no discharge LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge present MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI PLAN: Per standing orders -Under the weather sign, ppe & monitor log placed on kennel -Start fortiflora 1 packet PO q24h x10days -CTM, recheck on 12/27

1/2/2025

Progress exam: URI recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. Eating great. Objective: EYES: Clear, no discharge LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge present MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck on 1/3/25

1/3/2025

Progress exam: URI signage Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. Great appetite Objective: EYES: Clear, no discharge LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge present MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI appears resolved PLAN: Per standing orders -Removed URI signage from kennel -CTM while in shelter

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake minimum handling was done.

Is this cat having litter box issues?: Yes

If yes, Please elaborate:: Defecates outside the litterbox daily on the floors. This began years ago. There was one litterbox inside the home. It was quiet, easily accessible. Her previous owner changed the type of litter and scooped more often.

Basic Information:: Minerva is a 4 1/2-year-old DSH female spayed cat. her fur coat is all black.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 2 children (10 and 11)

How is this cat around strangers?: Minerva has no experience with strangers. when people visit the home, she will at first hide. She also hisses, growls, nips, swats, and stress meows.

How is this cat around children?: Minerva will hisses, hide at first, plays rough, prefers contact on her own terms, growls, nips, swats, and stress meows.

How is this cat around other cats?: Has no experience.

How is this cat around dogs?: Has no experience.

Behavior Notes: When you trim her nails she will struggle, stress meows, hisses, growls, swats, and nips/bites. When you hold her or place her in a carrier she struggles, stress meows, hisses, growls, swats, and nips/bites. When you brush her fur coat she will struggle, stress meows, hisses, growls, swats, and nips/bites. She hides in fear, scratches furniture, plays rough, nips/swats when pet for too long, and has litterbox accidents.

Bite history:: Hs bitten a person before.

Energy level/descriptors:: Low

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Minerva inside her previous home was lazy, a couch potato, aloof, prefers contact on her own terms, and watches from afar. She is an indoors only cat. She spent most of her time in the living room and at the window. Her favorite surfaces are carpet, rough rope, and cardboard. She had access to one litterbox located in the living room. It was covered and non-clumping.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Previously lived with: 2 adults, 2 children (10 and 11) Behavior toward strangers: Minerva has no experience with strangers. when people visit the home, she will at first hide. She also hisses, growls, nips, swats, and stress meows. Behavior toward children: Minerva will hisses, hide at first, plays rough, prefers contact on her own terms, growls, nips, swats, and stress meows. Behavior toward cats: Has no experience. Behavior toward dogs: Has no experience. Bite or Scratch history: Client stated the cat has been aggressive in the home even since a kitten. Client stated the older she gets the worse she becomes. Client stated it can be them walking by, trying to pet her, trim her nails, and when trying to feed her that she will scratch or bit people. Client expressed hoe her mother will try to feed her and Minerva will attack her and climb on top of her back. Client stated they have children in the home, and it is getting to a point where they no longer feel safe with her in the home with them. On 11.11.2024 previous owner was in her home at 3 pm trying to trim Minerva's nails. Client stated she was hissing and then bit her upper left arm, drawing blood and breaking skin. Client stated Minerva ran away after trying hide in the home. Bonnici received medical attention from Northwell Urgent Care. On 11.17.2024 at 11 am previous owner was trying to clean Minerva up after urinating on herself, after trying to transfer her in a carrier. Client reported she was hissing and then she scratched his right finger. This drew blood and broke skin. Client stated she ran away and hid after. Hopkins self-treated the scratch at home. Litter box training: She had access to one litterbox located in the living room. It was covered and non-clumping. Defecates outside the litterbox daily on the floors. This began years ago. There was one litterbox inside the home. It was quiet, easily accessible. Her previous owner changed the type of litter and scooped more often. Energy level/descriptors: Low Other notes: Minerva inside her previous home was lazy, a couch potato, aloof, prefers contact on her own terms, and watches from afar. She is an indoors only cat. She spent most of her time in the living room and at the window. Her favorite surfaces are carpet, rough rope, and cardboard. When you trim her nails she will struggle, stress meows, hisses, growls, swats, and nips/bites. When you hold her or place her in a carrier she struggles, stress meows, hisses, growls, swats, and nips/bites. When you brush her fur coat she will struggle, stress meows, hisses, growls, swats, and nips/bites. She hides in fear, scratches furniture, plays rough, nips/swats when pet for too long, and has litterbox accidents. Upon intake minimum handling was done.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 11/22/24 FB61 Hunched on perch, body and face tense and tail curled around feet. Her ears are tilted slightly and she hisses when petting is attempted with the scratcher tool so I don't push it further at this time. I leave her some treats and speak to her softly and when I check on her later I see that a;; the treats have been eaten! Will continue to build positive associations. 12/1/24 FB79 On the top part of her kennel eating her dinner Minerva has a neutral face and body and she has no reaction when I opened her kennel door and speak to her softly; she shows no interest in the treats that I toss in there for her and continues to eat her dinner while tolerating pets with the pointer tool down her body and on her head/cheeks. 12/7/24 FB58 Sitting on her shelf as she eats from her plate of food, I place some squeeze up down on the shelf through the food slot and she remains at the back of the shelf until I walk away. She then walks up and begins to eat quickly. 12/12/24 FB79 On the top part of the kennel, Minerva has a relaxed face and body with forward ears and a loosely wrap tail. She sniffs the treat that I placed in front of her, but shows no interest, and when scratcher tool slowly inserted, she sniffed and slowly back away, but does tolerate pets on her head. 12/16/24 FB79 On the top part of her shelf, I can hear Minerva purring through the glass and she has her tightly wrapped tail wrapped, forward ears and soft eyes when I open the kennel and approach. She sniffs and enjoys all treats that are placed down for her and even takes one from my fingers - when I toss treats down on the main part of her kennel, she jumps down with a mid-level tail and enjoys. She once again take treats from my fingers, but when I attempt to pet, she quickly tenses up hisses as well as attempts to swat she does not strike and recovers quickly when spoken to softly and more treats are offered. 12/19/24 FB79 Standing in her kennel with a high tail, forward ears and almonds eyes. Minerva greets me when she hears me speak softly with neighboring cats and when I open the kennel door, she slightly tenses up and backs away when my hand is brought closer to her but She enjoys all treats and allows brief pets on her head and under her chin before she retreats to the top shelf. 12/22/24 FB61 Standing in back of kennel, ears forward, eyes alert and tail lowered. She softens when spoken to and she steps forward curiously as the kennel door opens. She allows petting while leaning in, raising her tail and remaining slightly tense as the fur along her lower-back and tail becomes pilo-erect. Did well today! 12/28/24 FB79 GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Inappropriate elimination,Pet-induced aggression,Rough play,Fearful

Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavior flyers for more information. 12/11/24 It appears that after adjusting to the shelter, Minerva has been consistently using her litter box.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Minerva was in her cat den as the assessor approached, body and face tense and pupils dilated. Minerva remained hidden as the kennel door opened. Minerva tolerated petting from within her den with the scratcher tool while raising her head, tensing her body further and turning to watch the assess-a-hand pass along her back with her eyes widening. She did not escalate further and pick up was not attempted at this time to reduce stress. 12/26/24 Upon re-evaluation, Minerva has a relaxed/neutral face and body with a loose tail while in the front of her kennel; she greets the assessor with a low meow and leans in accepting all pets on her head and cheeks. However, she becomes tense and slightly backs away when the assessor attempts to pet down her back and hisses when pick up was attempted. Further handling was not pushed and Minerva happy came forward to enjoy treats when place down in front of her. Due to prior owner history (see separate notes) and a bite/scratch history, we feel that this cat will do best released through rescue.