Animal Profile

Papa Gato is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Holding room. He is now displaying signs of aggression, boredom and frustration. 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 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 Papa Gato is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Holding room. He is now displaying signs of aggression, boredom and frustration. 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 and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. What my friends at ACC say about me: 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 would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. A volunteer writes: Bypassing hellos and how-are-you's, Papa Gato often likes to regale his visitors with his uniquely hissy monologues about the shelter. They're not the most flattering, but he's also not the happiest guy right now so we'll look past that for a moment. Each time I open Papa Gato's condo door with a snack, a blanket, a toy, a treat Papa Gato will swiftly wave away my interruption to return to his story. I listen as best I can because I know new situations that we can't fully grasp can be trying, if not downright scary. Papa Gato may come off strong, but there's a kitty in there. A kitty who needs a second chance. We don't know much about Papa Gato's backstory, but we want to help him write a new future. Please come in and help him to do this.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.4 lbs

Medical Notes

9/25/2024

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2 year based on dentition + prominent jowls Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender due to newborn in home and reported allergies Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - swatting/striking, needed to be netted, growling/hissing. Needed to be sedated for exam/tasks. Opted to sedate using 0.2 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.2 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) + 0.1 ml Ketamine (100mg/ml) IM. 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, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, clean/white PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes 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 male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort + behavior assessment Full volume reversal IM SURGERY: Okay for surgery

10/12/2024

SO: BAR, comes out of den for treats, but hisses when approached eent: eyes clear, mucoid ocular dc and serous nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, sniffling and sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-mild P: treat in place fortiflora 1 sachet PO SID with food x7d

10/18/2024

SO: has been on monitoring for mild URI BAR, sticks head out of den and offered treats. 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

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Papa Gato was brought in with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/1/24 Vol. Hiding in den. Hissed and growled when kennel door was opened. Swatted at Squeeze-up on clicker. No interest in laser toy. Never came out of den. 10/5/24 Vol. Curled up in den box looking out at me when approached & opened door. Partially opened eyes. Offered dry treats on scratcher tool. Hissed & swatted. Same with pieces of chicken. Left chicken inside of den. Hissed even when I'm just standing there. 10/6/24 Vol. Papa Gato started low growling as soon as I opened the kennel door. I offered him squeeze-up on a scratcher, and he hissed and struck at the scratcher. 10/11/24 FB26 Hisses and swats at the scratcher tool when attempting to interact through the portal door in the den. Needs time to acclimate. 10/21/24 Vol. Resting on top of den in loaf position with dilated eyes. Hissed and lip-licked when I stood in front and talked to him. Hissed more when I unlocked the door. Offered chicken, squeeze-up and Temptations on the tool, he swatted at it but missed and then retreated to his den with head poking out. Exchanged a few blinks, but interspersed with hissing. 10.23.24 Vol. Resting on top of den in loaf position, with wide dilated eyes. Hissed and spit when I tried to flip over his kennel card to read the back. I stepped back away from his cafe and gave slow blinks, which he returned after a few moments. Dropped some treats through kennel bars for him and ended interaction. 10/25/24 Vol. In hidey box - hissed and came 1/2 way out when I was reading kennel card. Pulled back and was in box, able to see face, when put in squeeze trat bowl - hissed. Put hard treats on tool and approached - Papa Gato swatted hard. Left tool in place and he pulled back and tucked paw sitting in box. Started to remove tool and Papa Gato swatted again and thrust his head out of box. Waited and he pulled back a little. Removed tool and ended interaction.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Energetic,Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

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

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Taken on 9/27/24:Papa Gato was in the den and when the assessor tried to make eye contact with the mirror tool he struck the tool hard with his paw and then began growling which continued for some time. The interaction was ended. Treats and catnip were left for him. Retest on 11/1/24: Papa Gato was resting on top of his den and appeared alert, scanning the room with wide eyes. He slowly retreated to watch from a distance. When approached for pets with the scratcher tool, he swatted and glanced down to hide in the den. However, he looked back up and hissed, remaining cautious of his surroundings. Papa Gato is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He 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.