Animal Profile

Little Moocho 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.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Little Moocho 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 would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets. Little Moohco is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is apprehensive of people and while showing no aggressive behaviors, he appears wary of human contact. It is difficult to predict if he 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. 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: Staring at the toys and treats we bring like he's not sure what to do with them, Little Moocho's adjustment to Care Center life hasn't been going as smoothly as we'd all like. He was brought to us with many other cats and we don't know too much about his life before. Trying to pass the days from the comfort of his den, we readily try to brighten them by bringing him things. However, each time we offer a snack or a catnip mouse, Little Moocho seems slightly befuddled and stares straight ahead to let us know he's interested in neither. In this fashion, Little Moocho also explains he'll certainly pass on our company as well. It's possible Little Moocho hasn't had as many opportunities as other kitties to meet new people, which may explain some things about him. We are, however, very hopeful that there's a forever family out there for Little Moocho.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 12.8125 lbs

Medical Notes

2/15/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3-5 years old Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned positive History: Stray Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - tense body, tries to hide, allowed all handling Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective: T = P = 200 R = 30 BCS 7/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Mild dental calculus PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Neutered male, no scrotal testicles, tattoo present MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, ~2cm patch of alopecia at dorsal neck and R neck, large areas of hypotrichosis with mild scabbing over majority of caudal dorsum and caudal ventrum, skin otherwise quiet CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Wood's Lamp Exam: Negative Assessment: Alopecia, hypotrichosis - r/o overgrooming vs flea allergy dermatitis vs other Overweight Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks CTM hypotrichosis, recheck skin in ~3 days SURGERY: Already neutered

2/18/2025

Recheck alopecia/hypotrichosis - QAR in den, food uneaten, no c/s/v/d noted; alopecia/hypotrichosis as described in intake exam. Plan: Recommend monthly flea/tick preventative, CTM for proper fur regrowth. Consider additional diagnostics or treatments if not resolving.

3/20/2025

Adding in gabapentin 100mg PO q12h due to high FAS

4/3/2025

Beh reported doing well on gaba, extending indef

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake the cat was in a trap but allowed staff to scan for MC. Minimum handling was done due to being in a trap for transport.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Little Moohco was brought in from a hoarding situation with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. Upon intake the cat was in a trap but allowed staff to scan for MC. Minimum handling was done due to being in a trap for transport.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 2/26/25 FB61 In cat den upon approach, body and face tensed and eyes very wide. He avoids eye contact when spoken to and when offered a treat and a catnip toy - he stares straight ahead with dilated pupils. I speak to him softly before ending the session.. very nervous, needs more time to adjust. He does not interact with the catnip toy or treats as I watch. 2/28/25 FB79 Little Moocho is inside of the den with a tense body, forward ears and slightly wide eyes when i lift the den cover for a better view. He remains very still in a crouched position and has no interest in treats that i offer or when i reach in for pets. He tolerates pets on his head and cheeks while his eyes dilate. 3/1/25 FB58 In den and hidden from view - when the cover is lifted, he is pressed against the back with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated. He shows no interest in treats and accepts some pets on his head and cheeks with the tool but remains tense. He is tolerant of some pets with my hand but slowly turns to face the corner before turning to hiss at me. 3/5/25 FB61 In cat den upon approach, body and face tense and pupils dilated. When I lift his den cover I see that he is avoidant of eye contact and tensed in a position as it ready to flee at any moment. He does not show interest in the treats or catnip toy that I leave by his den opening. I speak to him softly and keep the interaction brief to reduce stress. When I check on him later I see the treats have been eaten. Will continue to try to build positive associations. 3/10/25 FB61 In cat den, frozen and hidden from view. He does not explore the treats offered and he remains tense with flat ears as I speak to him softly. I do not push hands on interaction today to avoid creating a negative experience. He will likely eat the treats later when the room is more quiet and when he feels more safe. 3/14/25 FB61 Displayed same behaviors as previous sessions. 3/17/25 FB61 Today Little Moocho remained in his den, tense and he does not engage with the treats or catnip toy offered. Needs more time to adjust - not interested in interacting today. 3/20/25 FB58 In his den and low growling as the cage door is opened. He hisses with a tense and hunched body when the den cover is lifted. I offer him squeeze up in the den and he sniffs the air - I leave him to eat it when he is alone. 3/23/25 Vol. Little Moohco was in the den, grumbling as I lifted the cover. I put Squeeze Up and Temptations inside the den on a tray and spoke to him. He stopped grumbling but did not eat. He allowed me to pet him on the side of his body, but he remained very stiff and did not appear to be enjoying it. 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:: Little Moohco came from a home with about 9 other cats, it is likely that he was not appropriately socialized to humans.

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 Little Moohco would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 2/18/25 On approach, Little Moohco is in his den and completely hidden from view - he cannot be coaxed out with treats or when spoken to softly. When the den cover is lifted, he is sitting with a hunched and tense body, eyes wide and dilated. He tenses again when the scratcher tool is introduced into the den but is tolerant of some brief and light pets but spins around to face the back of the den with eyes wide. Pick up is not attempted. 3/18/25 Upon re-eval, Little Moohco continues to show similar behaviors. On approach, he is in his den and completely hidden from view. When the den cover is lifted, he sits with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated. He hisses as the scratcher tool is offered out to him but tolerates pets. he then begins to low growl and the interaction is ended. Pick up is not attempted. 4/18/25 Little Moocho displayed the same behavior described in the previous re-evaluation as well as the behaviors reflected in the enrichment notes. Little Moohco is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is apprehensive of people and while showing no aggressive behaviors, he appears wary of human contact. It is difficult to predict if he 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. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.