Animal Profile

Muffin 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 putting her on FCC. 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. 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 Muffin 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 putting her on FCC. 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. Please check here for updated adoption hours. My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! I have potential behavior challenges that staff will address with you when you meet me. I'm an independent kitty who likes to do my own thing. I prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets. My favorite pastime is being visually admired! Pet me with your eyes!

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.3 lbs

Vet Notes

6/3/2024

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Brought in by agency Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Hissing, swatting Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = 160 R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Mild tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Female intact MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: WNL externally Assessment Dental disease stage 1/4 Prognosis: Good Plan: Sedated with DKT feline pre-mix 0.5 ml IM (Dexdomitor 0.5mg/ml 0.0125 mg/kg + Ketamine 100mg/ml 5 mg/kg + butorphanol 10mg/ml 0.25 mg/kg) Intake tasks Antisedan 0.06 ml IM SURGERY: ok for surgery

6/5/2024

Starting gabapentin 100mg PO BID indefinitely for FAS

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Muffin was brought in with limited information on her behavior history in a home environment. Upon picking up this cat, officers stated the owner of the cat came and dropped the cat off at the precinct - stating they no longer wanted the cat, due to a bite incident in the home (officers stated no blood was drawn from this incident). Officers stated the cat was brought to them in a small bag - when moving it into a larger carrier, an officer was scratched by the cat - again, officers stated no blood was drawn.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 6.6.24 FB04 Staff approached to shut feral den portal before removing black den cover...Muffin hissed and swatted a couple of times, then growled. After staff was able to shut den with stick, they removed cover and replaced with linen to better facilitate FCC. 6/7/24 FB47 1- In the den and hissed hard and struck the den when approached and spoke to, I lifted the cloth cover and he hissed some more with large pupils and then calmed down, stopped hissing and I marked. 2- Still in the den all scrunched up and hissed but doesn't strike or swat, large pupils, then slowly relaxed a bit, slow blinked, body unwound a bit and I marked. 3- In the den, looking out, hisses twice, neither time not nearly as strong or loud as the first time, meowed once, then gave a few slow blinks and I marked. 6/8/24 FB47 1- In the den but popped her head out and hissed once and then looked slightly away and gave little lip licks but appeared calmer than yesterday at the first interaction. 2- The towel had been replaced on the front of the den so I had to lift it causing him to hiss and strike once but he quickly recovered, looked away, lip licked and calmed a bit and then seemed surprised when I marked! 6.9.24 FB04 1-In den hissing & lip licking with dilated pupils. Low-growled. When lip-licking and growling ceased and pupils constricted, staff marked and left. 2-Same as 1st interaction, except once the hissing and low-growling ceased, she looked away towards the den portal, staff marked and left. 3-Hissing/low-growling with dilated pupils. Intermittent lip-licks and tail flicking. Staff waiting until growling ceased and eyes softened, marked and left. 6.11.24 FB04 1-In den, dilated pupils, low-growling, hiss upon approach. Lip-licking a few times then ceased vocalizing fairly quickly. Staff marked and left. 2-caught her by surprise crouched on top of her den, she hissed several times loudly & spat. She "meow-growled", getting lower and lower in volume each time. She eventually ceased vocalizing, staff marked and left. 3-hissed, spat, "meow-growled". Staff slow-blinked-her behavior continued. Staff chirruped, she ceased vocalizing and relaxed her face. Staff marked and left. 6.12.24 FB04 1-On top of den hissing, lunging, spitting. Ears flattened, pupils large. She eventually began to soften her face, ears became erect and she "stress-meow-growled". Staff slow blinked, she quieted, staff marked and left. 2-Staff announced themselves before lifting Shor-line, but Muffin hissed, spat and lunged from atop her den, moving it closer to the front of the kennel. She climbed behind her den, with airplane ears and large eyes. Then came back on top of den lunging at the front door, hissing, spitting and trying to strike through the bars. When she turned around and quieted for a second, staff marked and left. ~GAN~

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Timid,Independent,Bold

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

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Upon approach Muffin was in her den. When the assessor approached with treats on the scratch tool, she struck it with so much force that she moved the den over. Muffin hissed, growled and spat. The assessor tried to interact several more times with the scratch tool and Muffin continued to aggress. Muffin is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. She has tried to swat/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.