Animal Profile

Sam is on the at-risk list due to behavior. 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.

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. Sam is on the at-risk list due to behavior. 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. What my friends at ACC say about me: I have lived with cats in my previous home. 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. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. I would do best in a home with only adult humans. Sam tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his 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.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.125 lbs

Medical Notes

5/30/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4-7 years old Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned neg History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - very tense and flighty, elected to sedate for exam Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective: T = not performed P = WNL R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, moderate dark brown debris AS>AD, mild white nasal discharge, mild audible congestion, no ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Moderate dental calculus and gingivitis, possible FORL at mandibular premolars/molars PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male, two scrotal testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, flea dirt in coat, no live fleas noted CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Assessment: Mild URI Moderate dental disease Fleas Otitis externa AS>AD Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks Sedated with DKT 0.1mL IM each, adequate sedation - reversed with atipamezole 0.1mL IM Ear cleaning CTM URI Recommend dental with placement SURGERY: Okay for surgery

6/2/2026

Progress exam: URI recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. Audibly congested. Untouched wet & dry food (made note to place food tray closer to den opening) Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: mucoid discharge with some blood staining fur MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI PLAN: Per standing orders -Under the weather sign & monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline 10mg/kg PO q24h x10days & medical feeding PO BID x5days -CTM, recheck in 3 days

6/10/2026

Progress exam: URI day 7 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:2 ate some wet food Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days

6/13/2026

Progress exam: URI day 10 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:3 empty wet food bowl Objective: EYES: Clear 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 -URI signage removed from kennel -CTM on daily rounds while in QACC

6/16/2026

Pre-surgical exam, anesthesia, and surgery performed by offsite vet. Medical record uploaded to Vet Documents. Green linear tattoo placed lateral to incision.

6/17/2026

QAR, No wound dehiscence.

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake cat was fearful but allowed staff to scan, pick up, hold, and place in kennel.

Date of Intake: 5/27/2026

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

Basic Information:: DSH male cat who was surrendered to ACC by his family

Previously lived with:: adults, other cats

How is this cat around strangers?: Friendly and outgoing but shy at first and prefers contact on his own terms

How is this cat around children?: No experience

How is this cat around other cats?: Friendly and outgoing

How is this cat around dogs?: No experience

Behavior Notes: Never had nails trimmed, coat brushed, been picked up or held, and will stress meow when in a carrier

Bite history:: No history

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: No known allergies

For a New Family to Know: He is described as a friendly indoor cat who spends most of his time in the kitchen of the home. He enjoys playing gently by himself or with other cats and has no preference when it comes to scratchers. He eats both wet and dry food, is not picky with treats or food brands, and is accustomed to having access to an uncovered litterbox with pellet litter located in the living room of the home.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Cat Previously lived with: Adults, other cats Behavior toward strangers: Friendly and outgoing but shy at first and prefers contact on his own terms Behavior toward children: No experience Behavior toward cats: Friendly and outgoing Behavior toward dogs: No experience Bite or Scratch history: None Litter box training: Accustomed to having access to an uncovered litterbox with pellet litter Energy level/descriptors: High Other notes: He is described as a friendly indoor cat who spends most of his time in the kitchen of the home. He enjoys playing gently by himself or with other cats and has no preference when it comes to scratchers. He eats both wet and dry food, is not picky with treats or food brands. Upon intake cat he was noted to be fearful but allowed staff to scan, pick up, hold, and place in kennel.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 6/02/26 FB61 Sam does not come out of his den today. I leave him some treats and a catnip toy and try to entice him with a bubble show. Hopefully he explores the offerings later when he feels more safe. I do not push petting today... to reduce stress and the chance of creating a negative association... however I will soon, because you never know how they'll react. 6/4/26 FB58 Worked mostly on figuring out getting him to eat today as it seems like he's not eating?? I offer him a mix of all of my high value treats and place it directly in his den - he begins to eat it very quickly and finishes it all without issue. He then pokes his head out to pick at the food tray I had moved closer to his den opening. He hisses at me once, but allows me to take photos of him in the den and lift the den door a bit without any hisses or growls. 6/8/26 FB79 With a tense body and wrapped tail i speak softly to sam when i enter the kennel and he had no reaction and watches with neutral eyes and forward ears. When i tossed some treats in he flinched but leaned in to sniff. He had no interest in the treats and when i used to the tool for pets he pulled away as his eyes widened. I was able to pet his back and body but Sam shifted his weight to move away from the tool while lip licking and turning to look back. 6/13/26 FB58 In his den still and can't coax him out but I offer him a tray with squeeze up and some fancy food and he pokes his head out to sniff at and eat the food enthusiastically. When the scratcher tool is very slowly held out near him for him to sniff, he immediately ducks back into the den. Once I remove it, he comes back out to eat. 6/14/26 FB25 Sam is inside of his den. I speak softly to him for a few moments and then open the kennel door, and he pops his head halfway out. He has wide eyes and forward ears, crouched low to the ground. He returns slow blinks I very slowly offer him squeeze up on the scratcher tool. He sniffs and then eats it! I placed some down on the kennel floor a bit closer to me along with a few dry treats and he cautiously came halfway out and ate. He has a looser body now, his tail still low. A noise in the room startles him and he quickly retreats to the den, but keeps his head out. I offer him some treats closer and let him sniff my hand, and he backs away. I offer him squeeze up on the scratcher again and he again eats it. He seems curious. 6/23/26 FB61 In den upon approach, initially hidden from view. I speak to him softly and he hisses. I place some treats into his den using the scratcher tool and I speak to him softly and slow-blink when I see him licking the puree. I keep the interaction brief to reduce stress and I leave him a toy so he can investigate later. Will continue to build positive associations! GAN FOR CONTINUATION

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavior flyer.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to the behavior seen in shelter and needing a longer time to warm up, the behavior team feels Sam would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 5/31/26 Upon approach, Sam was inside the den out of view. As the kennel door was opened, the scratcher was offered outside the den, Sam showed no interest. As the den cover was lifted, Sam was lying curled up with his front paws tucked under, eyes and face neutral and ears forward. As the glass was lifted he began to squirm and his eyes widened. He had no interest in the scratcher when it was offered again. As petting on his head was attempted, he pulled his head back, away from the scratcher and his body squirmed. He tolerated a few head and body pets as his eyes squinted and he began to lip lick. No pick up was attempted at this time. 6/30/26 Upon re-eval, Sam continues to display behaviors similar to his initial evaluation. When the cage door is opened, he is in his den with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated, and backs away from the front of the den. He pokes his head out of the den to eat squeeze up from the tray offered but pulls his head away and ducks back into the den when the scratcher tool is offered out. When the assessor attempt to pet again while inside again, she tenses and flinches away from the tool but the assessor is eventually able to pet along his cheek before he pulls away. Pick up is not attempted. Sam tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his 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.