Animal Profile

Gravy is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. She has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to her stress levels, 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 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. Gravy is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. She has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to her stress levels, 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 helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. 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. Gravy tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to her 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. A volunteer writes: Gravy was found in a park. Waiting in the same place for hours, perhaps biding her time before someone noticed but also maybe kind of hoping she could do it herself. Park Rangers were called and brought Gravy to us and we can't say she's been entirely happy about this recent turn of events. Settling into the Care Center hasn't been on the top of her to do list because Gravy seems like she's just trying to get through the day. She likes when we speak softly to her because she, of all kitties, knows there's much more to life than these shelter walls. We talk about a forever family who will love an independent kitty, welcome her spirit with the kindness and warmth she deserves. We don't know much about Gravy's history prior to the park and the Care Center. It's possible she hasn't had many opportunities to meet new people. We're hopeful that as we show her the best of us - pets with a scratcher tool, some treats, and definitely conversation - she'll see that we're here to help get her that much closer to you.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 7 lbs

Medical Notes

11/9/2024

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2-3 years based on condition of teeth/eyes Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - growling, hissing, noted to have previously been swatting on initially intake, opted to sedate to prevent increasing FAS. Sedated using 0.35 ml DKT premix (bottle #63) IM. Adequate sedation reached. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear OU, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, fairly clean PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact female, no OHE scar or tattoo noted MSI: Ambulatory x 4 (prior to sedation), skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities (prior to sedation) Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Apparently healthy Intact female Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort/ behavior assessment Full volume reversal IM SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Gravy was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on her behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 12/10/24 FB26 Hisses and stress meows crouched at the back of the kennel upon approach. Alert with eyes wide. Tense while allowing brief pets along the head with the scratcher tool. Remains wary with her surroundings. 12/15/24 Vol. Gravy was lying on her side in the back of the kennel. When opened the kennel door, she smushed herself against the back wall and hissed. 12/18/24 Vol. Gravy was lying curled up in box. Her eyes were partly dilated but squinty. She raised her head to sniff at squeeze up on scratcher tool, then turned her face away. She did not show interest in a feather toy. She tolerated brief petting on head with scratcher tool, then raised a paw to gently push it away. When a hand was extended toward her, she hissed once. She then tucked her head down and appeared to sleep. 12/20/24 Vol. Lying sprawled in bed, eyes 1/2 closed. Ignored treat bowl, not moving. Approached with hard treat on scratcher tool, she pulled back her head but no other movement. Dropped treats and approached with tool, she hissed and reared head but allowed scratches, ears slightly flat but returning to normal. Few slow blinks. No movement when stopped. Gave a few more scratches and ended interaction. 12/22/24 Vol. Gravy was scared. She was lying on her side in the box with bedding in the front of the kennel. When I opened the kennel door, she hissed and tensed her body but never acted aggressive. I put down a food tray with squeeze-up and then closed the door. I stayed standing up (so not facing her at eye level) by the side of the kennel and slow talked to her. Looking down into the kennel, I saw her face relax while I talked to her. 12/27/24 Vol. In main cage - paws tucked - hissed when approached. Put in squeeze treat bowl - she wiggled further back towards wall, paws still tucked. Ignored bowl. Approached with scratcher tool, wiggled back some more, ears still forward. Hissed but allowed head scratches with tool, slowly closing eyes. Gave plenty and ended interaction. 12/29/24 Vol. Gravy was about the same as last week. She was lying stretched on her side along the back wall of the cubby. She started mewling and then low growling as soon as I bent down to look in the kennel. She hissed when I put a tray with squeeze-up in the kennel through the bottom cubby portal (and left the kennel door closed). 1/3/25 FB47 Gravy set the back appearing calm, but when the approach was just barely begun, her ears went sideways her pupils dilated, and she began hissing. When left alone, she stretched and yawned and gave some slow links, but she’s not ready for petting at this time. I gave catnip and sweet talk. *Enrichment Notes continued in GAN*

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: Gravy is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. She is very apprehensive of people and while showing no aggressive behaviors, she may attempt to flee and avoid human contact. It is difficult to predict if she 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

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 11.11.2024: Gravy was in the den, and when approached with the mirror tool, she began low growling. When the den cover was removed, she began hissing and turning around and moving towards the back of the kennel. When petting was attempted with the scratcher tool, she hissed loudly, squirming to get away, but did allow the petting. 12.11.2024: Gravy was laying in the main area of her kennel upon approach low-growling. When provided treats she hissed and tilted her ears sideways. After some soft-talk she returned a slow-blink. The assessor then petted her with the scratch tool. Although she tolerated it, she growled, hissed and had airplane ears. To reduce FAS, the interaction was ended. Gravy tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to her 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.