Animal Profile
Ash
Hello, my name is Ash. My animal id is #231186. I am a male black cat at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years 3 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 7/3/2025, with the surrender reason stated as not a fit - too many animals already.
Ash is on the at-risk list for medical concerns. Ash has conjunctivitis and possibly entropion, but we are unable to treat him in shelter due to behavior. He will hiss when approached, but escalates with medical handling. He will need follow up with a veterinarian with placement, and will possibly need surgery if entropion persists.
You may know me from such films as...
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. Ash is on the at-risk list for medical concerns. Ash has conjunctivitis and possibly entropion, but we are unable to treat him in shelter due to behavior. He will hiss when approached, but escalates with medical handling. He will need follow up with a veterinarian with placement, and will possibly need surgery if entropion persists. What my friends at ACC say about me: I have lived with cats in my previous home. I am a cat that is in need of a lap! I can't wait to be your new lap cat. A volunteer writes: Ash loves a good conversation. His previous guardian explained that Ash will speak when spoken to. As I fell over myself trying to make a good impression with him, well, I guess I didn't. I'd seen Ash sitting tall and proud looking out of his window. I love a cat with distinguished shelter hobbies even if they happen to fall in the independent category. I wanted to sit with Ash and look out his window too, but when I opened the door he expertly covered himself in his blankets. Then, slowly inching his way out to go up to his perch, Ash made it very clear that hanging out with me wasn't on his to-do list that day. Duly noted and understood. While all animals adjust to the Care Center differently, Ash has a lot to share besides his gorgeous big cheeks. He's not necessarily known as the most playful guy around, but loved to be around people in his previous home and was a friendly and affectionate couch potato. He'll probably be looking out his window when you come and visit and we hope you'll give him a chance.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 11.3 lbs
7/7/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2 years Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: owner surrender Subjective: Observed Behavior -shy but allowed for gentle handling and intake tasks Is there evidence of Cruelty? no Is there evidence of Neglect? no Is there evidence of Trauma? no Objective BCS 4/9 EENT: conjunctivitis os, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: no obvious oral lesions but resistant to thorough examination PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: both testes palpable, intact male MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: grossly normal appearance Assessment Conjunctivitis Prognosis: good Plan: DVM intake and tasks Erythromycin ou bid x 7 days awaiting sort SURGERY: Temporary waiver due to URI
7/7/2025
Your newly adopted pet has been diagnosed with CONJUNCTIVITS and the staff veterinarians are issuing a TEMPORARY waiver from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY. Follow up care at your regular veterinarian is recommended to ensure continued treatment through to the resolution of the issue. At the time of a full recovery you may choose to have your veterinarian perform the spay/neuter surgery, or make provisions to return the pet to ACC for sterilization.
7/15/2025
Recheck conjunctivitis S/O: QAR, eating well, no c/s/v/d noted EENT: No nasal discharge, OS severe blepharospasm - unable to visualize cornea, no active discharge notable, OD mild blepharospasm LUNGS: Eupneic CNS: Appropriate mentation A: Conjunctivitis OS>OD No URI signs P: Move out of iso Switch to ofloxacin OU BID x7 days Start fortiflora PO SID x 7 days Recheck eyes in 5 days
7/15/2025
Addendum 4:30pm - Eyes more comfortable and open with mild blepharospasm OS and mild mucoid discharge. Continue current treatment plan and recheck as scheduled.
7/20/2025
recheck conjunctivitis S/O QAR, hisses when approached, no c/s/v/d appreciated, OD: mild thin mucoserous dc, OS: moderate bleph, moderate amount of mucoid dc, no nasal dc HL: eupneic A/P Conjunctivitis OS>>OD- difficulty admin meds d/t behavior. D/c oflox aTT as p will not allow admin start gaba 100mg PO BID x 2 weeks and recheck in 3 days to assess temperament
7/25/2025
Switch to gabapentin suspension as does not seem to eat capsule. CTM closely.
7/28/2025
recheck, suspected entropion, conjunctivitis, is he eating gaba? S/O QAR, in the back of kennel, no c/s/v/d appreciated, minimal handling d/t high FAS, med tray empty, mild mucoid ocular dc OS, mild serous ocular dc OD, moderate bleph OU, no nasal dc A. Conjunctivitis- suspected underlying entropion P. Con't with gaba- p appears to be eating aTT Recheck in 5 days- consider sedated exam to eval potential entropion vs restarting eye meds vs additional pain meds
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
Upon intake, cat was nervous and drooling in carrier. He began to lean into pets and purring. Cat allowed staff to collar and pickup to place in kennel.
Is this cat having litter box issues?: No
Basic Information:: Ash is an adult DSH cat who was surrendered due to lack of space and time.
Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 13 other cats
How is this cat around strangers?: Friendly, outgoing, and warms up before two weeks.
How is this cat around children?: No experience.
How is this cat around other cats?: Friendly, outgoing, plays gently, tolerant, and warms up before two weeks.
How is this cat around dogs?: No experience.
Behavior Notes: Ash enjoys when his coat is brushed and he is held. He will struggle when placed in a carrier. His nails were never trimmed. Ash is known to hide in fear.
Bite history:: No bite history.
Energy level/descriptors:: Medium
Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: Yes
Medical Notes: Ash has mucus from his eyes and the owner is unsure why.
For a New Family to Know: Ash is described as a couch potato, lap cat, talkative, friendly, and affectionate. He spends most time where his people are. He does not play much and mostly enjoy pets. He likes to scratch on rough rope and wood. The previous owner's favorite thing about Ash is that he loves to be by his person's side and is very vocal when spoken to. Ash was fed wet and dry Friskies food. He loves Temptations treats. Ash had access to 5 litterboxes in the home. They were located in he bathroom, basement, living room, and kitchen. The litterboxes were uncovered and had unscented, clumping litter. Ash was not having litterbox accidents.
KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Previously lived with: 1 adult, 13 other cats Behavior toward strangers: Friendly, outgoing, and warms up before two weeks. Behavior toward children: No experience. Behavior toward cats: Friendly, outgoing, plays gently, tolerant, and warms up before two weeks. Behavior toward dogs: No experience. Bite or Scratch history: No bite history. Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: Medium Other notes: Ash is described as a couch potato, lap cat, talkative, friendly, and affectionate. He spends most time where his people are. He does not play much and mostly enjoy pets. He likes to scratch on rough rope and wood. The previous owner's favorite thing about Ash is that he loves to be by his person's side and is very vocal when spoken to. Ash was fed wet and dry Friskies food. He loves Temptations treats. Ash had access to 5 litterboxes in the home. They were located in he bathroom, basement, living room, and kitchen. The litterboxes were uncovered and had unscented, clumping litter. Ash was not having litterbox accidents. Upon intake, cat was nervous and drooling in carrier. He began to lean into pets and purring. Cat allowed staff to collar and pickup to place in kennel.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 7/17/25 FB61 Hunched on top of perch, body and face tense with his tail wrapped tightly around his feeties. He slowly begins to eat the squeeze-ups offered and he tolerates pets on his head as he eats! Such a sweet boy... with a giant and adorable head. 7/22/25 FB61 On top of perch, body and face tense. He is more upset today than the prior session. He remains tense and frozen in place as I open his cubby to offer a toy and some squeeze-ups. He low growls and remains fixated on me for the entire time I'm in his line of sight... without exploring the offerings of enrichment. The shelter may be too stressful for him at this time. I fear he is deteriorating. Hopefully he eats the treats after I leave the room. 7/25/25 FB61 Hunched on top of perch, body and face tense. He remains frozen as I offer some treats and a catnip toy and he slow-blinks hard as I speak to him. He is very nervous So I don't push hands-on interaction at this time. When I check on him later I see that he has eaten his squeeze-ups! Will continue to build positive associations. 7/28/25 FB61 Hunched on back of perch, body and face tense with tail wrapped tightly around his body. He slow-blinks hard when I open his food portal and he flinches slightly when offered the treats and the catnip toy. I walk away and continue socializing the other cats in the room, and when I check on him a few minutes later I am happy to see he's moved to the front of his kennel and is eating his wet food! The treats I left him shortly before have all been eaten and I am able to clicker train him briefly while he's still sitting in front of his perch. I click and reward each time he takes a treat without hissing first. He is food motivated and he is now beginning to eat treats while I'm in the room. This is improvement! We may be able to do a more consistent clicker training attempt soon... but either way, he has potential!
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Timid,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful
Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavior flyer for information.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Ash was lying on top of his cat den as the assessor approached, body and face tense with eyes squinted. Ash avoided eye contact when spoken to and he remained tense and low on his den as the kennel door opened. Ash tolerated petting along his head and back while flinching, tilting his ears and leaning away from the assessor. Pick up was not attempted at this time to reduce stress. Ash 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