Animal Profile

Dasher is at risk for behavior reasons. When first entering the care center, Dasher was fearful and avoidant. He has begun to sit at the front of his kennel hissing and swatting at staff approach. 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. Dasher is at risk for behavior reasons. When first entering the care center, Dasher was fearful and avoidant. He has begun to sit at the front of his kennel hissing and swatting at staff approach. 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. 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 Dasher is a medium-energy adult male cat who has previously lived with other cats but has no experience with strangers, children, or dogs. He is described as friendly and outgoing with other cats but has shown fearful behavior in the shelter, including hissing and retreating when approached. He has no history of biting or scratching in his previous home. Dasher is particularly sensitive to handling, hissing when his nails are trimmed, when his coat is brushed, and when being picked up or placed in a carrier. His fearful behavior may stem from a lack of early socialization with humans. In the shelter, he shows distance-increasing behavior, such as avoiding interaction and trying to flee from extended handling. Although Dasher is apprehensive and avoids human contact, he does not show aggressive behavior and may eventually warm up with patience. He will require a lot of time and effort to build trust, especially as an older cat. It is recommended that Dasher be adopted into an adult-only home with an experienced cat owner who can use high-value treats and food to encourage positive associations with humans.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 7.8 lbs

Medical Notes

12/20/2024

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: Adult Microchip noted on Intake? scan negative History: owner surrender Subjective: Observed Behavior - tense, swatting, growling; examined in net Is there evidence of Cruelty? no Is there evidence of Neglect? no Is there evidence of Trauma? no Objective BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: no oral exam PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI, 2 descended testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment appears healthy Prognosis: good Plan: SURGERY: Okay for surgery

12/31/2024

[Surgery Template - Cat Neuter] Was this cat a Cryptorchid? N If so, describe surgical process: Routine Feline Neuter Self tie of spermatic cord Green Linear Tattoo Placed near Midline Surgeon: 2373 Additional Note:

12/31/2024

Oral exam: Mild gingivitis, plaque

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Spay/Neuter status: No

Date of Intake: 12/20/2024

Basic Information:: Name: Dasher Age: 3-6 years old Color: brown tabby Sex: male Altered: No Declawed: No Surrender Reason: Too many cats Length of time owned: since birth Where the previous owner got this cat: born to resident cat

If yes, Please elaborate:: Access to a litterbox in the home: Yes Litter boxes in the home: 6 Litter box location(s): Bathroom Type of litter box: Uncovered Type of litter: Clumping Spraying: No Able to see outdoor cats: No

Previously lived with:: Adults, Other Cats

How is this cat around strangers?: No experience

How is this cat around children?: No experience

How is this cat around other cats?: (lived with multiple cats) Friendly & Outgoing

How is this cat around dogs?: No experience

Behavior Notes: If they hiss, growl, swat, or bite - these behaviors are usually: Defensive How this cat reacts when someone... - Trims their nails: Hisses - Brushes their coat: Hisses - Picks up/holds: Stress meows - Places them in a carrier: Stress meows

Bite history:: Previous bite/scratch to a person: No Previous bite/scratch to another animal: No

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Description of this cat most of the time: Quiet Areas the cat had access to: Indoors Where the cat spent most time: Kitchen How the cat likes to play: Plays gently How often the cat got interactive playtime: Multiple times per month This cat likes to scratch on: Cardboard Previous owner's favorite things about the cat: kind of playful Behavior issues noted: Hides in fear Type of food the cat eats: Both wet and dry food Brands of food: Purina

KNOWN HISTORY:: Previously lived with: Adults, Other Cats Behavior toward strangers: No experience Behavior toward children: No experience Behavior toward cats: (lived with multiple cats) Friendly & Outgoing Behavior toward dogs: No experience Bite or Scratch history: None Litter box training: Dasher had access to 6 uncovered litter boxes and used clumping litter. Energy level/descriptors: Medium Other notes: Dasher hisses when having his nails trimmed and coat brushed. He will stress meow when being picked up and held and placed in a carrier. Blitzen is a very active and playful female cat who loves to stalk and pounce, especially on feet, showing off her lively nature. She spends most of her time in the kitchen and enjoys engaging in interactive play multiple times a month. Blitzen prefers to scratch on cardboard, satisfying her natural instincts. Despite her playful energy, she has a quiet demeanor, which was one of her previous owner's favorite traits. Blitzen is a bit shy, often hiding in fear when faced with new situations. She enjoys both wet and dry food, with Purina being her preferred brand.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 12.24 Dasher is in the back of kennel with flat ears. The door is open and he slowly walks away through the porthole. He settles next to his litter box staring at staff. He hisses and lip licks when approached. 1.1 Dasher is laying in the back of his kennel as staff approaches. He has tense posture and wide eyes. He hisses and crawls slowly through the portal, evading contact, as staff completes cleaning procedures. Treats are offered, but Dasher does not show interest in them. The interaction is ended to allow him time to decompress. 01.08 Dasher is in the front of his kennel in a loaf position withe neutral eyes. He hisses as staff approaches his kennel. He quickly approaches the front of kennel, hissing while staff unlocks the kennel next to him. His food is placed down and the porthole is opened. He stares at staff, and slwly approaches his food bowl when they walk away.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Shy ,Skittish,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: Dasher has displayed fearful behavior during their stay in the care center 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. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to desensitize your cat to their fear stimulus.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Dasher is in the front of his kennel with neutral eyes. When approached he hisses and raising a paw, and assessor takes a step back. A squeeze up is placed on a scratch tool and is extended toward him. He swats and hisses at tool multiple time hisses and moves away settling in the back. Dasher is in the front of kennel. The door is opened and dasher is hisses. When the door opens he retreat through his porthole turning and hissing when on the other side. The scratch tool is extended and he hisses as to is slowly introduced. He bobs and weaves away from it and hisses again. He slowly slinks away and avoids contact. Dasher is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or 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.