Animal Profile

Gwendalyn is on the at-risk list due to behavior. Gwendalyn has made some progress and developed the start of relationships with some members of the behavior staff but is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. Where she previously remained reserved and was tolerant of a more limited amount of touch in a limited area of her body - staff have been able to get her to discover her love for being pet with the scratcher tool and leading her own petting sessions. When she is feeling great and social, she comes to the front of her cage to rub her cheeks on the tool and may even sniff a hand offered out to her and pet herself with it. However, due to her length of stay and the shelter environment, she is now displaying signs of barrier frustration and overstimulation. Some days she is more than willing to accept pets and even let staff work with her on getting comfortable with pets along her lower back. Other days, she can be easily triggered with cage cleaning or a quick movement of a hand as food or treats are placed in her cage. Due to her stress levels, it is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space, can respect her boundaries (which she makes known) 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. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Gwendalyn is on the at-risk list due to behavior. Gwendalyn has made some progress and developed the start of relationships with some members of the behavior staff but is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. Where she previously remained reserved and was tolerant of a more limited amount of touch in a limited area of her body - staff have been able to get her to discover her love for being pet with the scratcher tool and leading her own petting sessions. When she is feeling great and social, she comes to the front of her cage to rub her cheeks on the tool and may even sniff a hand offered out to her and pet herself with it. However, due to her length of stay and the shelter environment, she is now displaying signs of barrier frustration and overstimulation. Some days she is more than willing to accept pets and even let staff work with her on getting comfortable with pets along her lower back. Other days, she can be easily triggered with cage cleaning or a quick movement of a hand as food or treats are placed in her cage. Due to her stress levels, it is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space, can respect her boundaries (which she makes known) and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. A volunteer writes: Gwendalyn walked into a parking garage and stayed in the same spot for three days, worrying the Good Samaritans who noticed her waiting and no one around to claim her as their own. While Gwendalyn was a little nervous at the prospect of meeting new people and initially didn't move very much from her spot, she was also relaxed and friendly when she was shown kindness and assistance. Since coming to the Care Center, Gwendalyn's been trying her best and mostly doing the same - she's essentially parked herself in her box bed. She hasn't felt much like coming out and talking to friends, but has been open to pets and really appreciates a slow and thoughtful approach. While we don't know much about Gwendalyn's history, we know that she's hoping to find a forever family to call her own.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 18.27 lbs

Medical Notes

9/18/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4 yr Microchip noted on Intake? negative History:stray Subjective:stray Observed Behavior -swats, growls, yells isses , examined under sedation Is there evidence of Cruelty?none Is there evidence of Neglect?none Is there evidence of Trauma?none Objective BARH mm pink P = WNL R = WNL BCS 8/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam:clena adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G:shaved,no spay scar seen female MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, heavily matted on dorsum CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: fecal soiling Assessment obese needs grooming Prognosis: good, at risk for HL Plan: sedated telazol 0.1ml and dexdomitor 0.2ml IM moderate level of sedation clipped matts and perineum monitor appetite SURGERY: Okay for surgery

9/21/2025

recheck appetite, gaba req S/O- visual exam only d/t temperament BAR, sitting in litter box, no c/s/v/d appreciated, food trays minimally disturbed EENT: no ocular or nasal dc HL: eupneic A. Hyporexia- likely second to high FAS P. Disc with feline beh that appetite likely second to very high FAS. Will CTM but not rx'ing appetite stim d/t beh Start gaba 100mg PO BID indef in care CTM and recheck in 1 week

9/29/2025

Appetite recheck, on medical feeds, very high FAS. P is hiding in box in kennel. Medical feed doesn't appear to be touched, possibly disturbed wet food. Staff in room report that p will appear to eat a little sometimes. CTM on rounds, not putting on oral meds because not eating and p has too high FAS for topicals.

10/1/2025

Progress exam: Sneezing reported on rounds board Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. Mild congestion present Objective: EYES: Clear, no discharge. OU slightly watery LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: mild clear serous discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI PLAN: Per standing orders -Under the weather, PPE & monitor log placed on kennel -CTM, recheck in 3 days

10/3/2025

recheck exam, URI day 2, persistent hyporexia vs anorexia, high FAS S/O QAR, hiding in box, no c/v/s/d appreciated, S+ noted, poor appetite scores (2s and 3s), noted by staff to occasionally eat some dry food or some of the medical feed, but mostly no eating. Staff reports unable to give doxy in mouth d/t temperament EENT: mild epiphora, no nasal dc HL: eupneic A. Anorexia vs hyporexia persists Mild URI P. Seek placement asap, p still has persistently high FAS and is not eating in care. Unable to medicate properly d/t temperament CTM and recheck as scheduled

10/4/2025

URI day 3 - QAR in box, ate some dry and some medical feeding, AS 2-3; mild mucoserous nasal discharge, eupneic. Plan: Continue medical feedings and CTM on rounds, recheck URI day 7

10/6/2025

Monitoring sheet scores of 2/3. Unable to treat due to behavior as per VET 2419

10/8/2025

URI day 7 - QAR on shelf, AS 3 for past 3 days, but dry food is eaten, sneezing reported, no c/v/d noted, no active ocular or nasal discharge, eupneic. PLAN: Continue current treatment plan and recheck as scheduled.

10/11/2025

Progress exam - URI day 10 S/O: BAR, AS consistently well. Food tray empty. No ocular or nasal discharge, no c/s/v/d. Eupneic, no congestion audible. A: URI, mild - RESOLVED P: CTM appetite closely on rounds

10/15/2025

Poor appetite reported - QAR in box, food appears untouched, no c/s/v/d noted; no ocular or nasal discharge, eupneic. A: Hyporexia vs anorexia - ro FAS vs illness P: Medical feedings BID, monitoring log in place; CTM on rounds

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

During the intake Gwendalyn walked out of the carrier on her own. she allowed the counselor to pick her up and collar her.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Gwendalyn was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on her behavior history in a home environment. During the intake Gwendalyn walked out of the carrier on her own. She allowed the counselor to pick her up and collar her.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 9/27/25 FB20 Gwendalyn hissed initially when cubby was opened and aimed to swat at scratcher tool. When the tool was presented with a crunchy treat she sniffed with interest. I set the treat down and Gwendalyn followed the tool with her eyes. I moved the tool back and forth and Gwendolyn sat further up and watched intently. She began to drool while watching and sneezed. I ended the interaction while speaking softly to her and gave her another crunchy treat. As I went slightly out of her view, Gwendolyn sniffed the treat, and eventually ate it! 10/4/20 FB06 Gwendalyn is lying in her box when I open the kennel door, with almond eyes, ears forward and her body loose. I offered her the scratcher which she leans in to sniff. As I moved it closer to her body she pushed herself further into the box and hissed. I removed the scratcher and placed some squeeze up on it. When the squeeze up was offered to Gwendalyn, her ears were still forward and made no reaction until the scratcher was pulled away and she hissed. I left some squeeze up in the cage for her. She is UTW at the moment. 10/06/25 FB06 Gwendalyn is laying in her box when I opened the cage with her ears forward. As I speak softly to her I move the scratcher tool towards her. The closer it gets to her, the further she pushes herself into the back of the box. She begins to hiss, I move closer with the tool when she hisses again and lifts her paw into swatting position. She doesn't swat but can see she is drooling so I ended the interaction. Still UTW. 10/7/25 FB58 Standing at the front of the cage with a mostly neutral face and body, hisses once as I approach but begins to meow and brush against the front of the cage - approaching the cubby when opened and stepping forward for pets on head and cheeks with the scratcher tool. She leans her head and cheeks into the touch and ducks her head under the tool for more pets, tail raised and swishing at times. She continues to vocalize after for more pets and rubs along the cage door. When I return later to interact, I open the main door and she again hisses and moves back into her box. She pulls away from the tool initially when it is offered out, but again ducks under it and leans into all pets, allowing touch along her back - fur rippling at times and turning to look at times - but she does not escalate. I then slowly offer my hand out and let her lead, eventually close enough to accept some light pets on her head and cheeks and when I hold my hand still, she leans forward on her own to rub her cheek along my hand. She eventually loses patience and hisses and reaches out to swat at my hand breaking the glove but not skin. 10/9/25 FB79 Sweet lady today! Gwen was inside of her bed and when i open the door she looks up with wide eyes and forward ears. She allowed all petting with the pointer tool and no reaction then a few moments later she started to lean in for more and started to purr loudly. GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: At the time of her eval, Gwendalyn was pretty immediately hissing and low growling when the assessor attempted to interact. It became clear however, that she was stuck in her den and had been too large to get out of the portal opening or maneuver in the den overnight. After investigating further, it became apparent that she was sitting in her own urine which overall may have had a large impact on her level of FAS leading up to the interaction. Once the assessor was able to get her out of the den and into the cubby, she remained in the litter box all day and would low growl but seemed to appreciate pets on her head and cheeks with the scratcher tool. BEHAVIOR SUMMARY FROM 9/20/25: On approach, Gwendalyn is sitting her her den with a tense face and body, eyes wide and ears tilted. She begins to hiss and low growl as the cage door is opened, and shows no interest in the dry treats offered near the den opening. The scratcher tool is offered out and she appears slightly curious but begins to escalate when the tool is slowly introduced into the den, not moving out of the way. It becomes apparent that she is stuck in the den and cannot actually turn her body. The assessor is able to move the den and direct her into the cubby during which it is noted that she has been sitting in her urine for some time. She is allowed to decompress for some time. When the assessor approaches again, she is sitting upright in the litter box with a somewhat tense face and body, and begins to low growl. She again shows no interest in treats offered, and when the scratcher tool is slowly offered out, she leans forward to sniff it. She accepts pets on her head and cheeks with the tool and her face begins to soften with her eyes closing at times - low growling throughout. Pick up is not attempted due to size and level of FAS.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

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

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: On approach, Gwendalyn is sitting her her den with a tense face and body, eyes wide and ears tilted. She begins to hiss and low growl as the cage door is opened, and shows no interest in the dry treats offered near the den opening. The scratcher tool is offered out and she appears slightly curious but begins to escalate when the tool is slowly introduced into the den, not moving out of the way. It becomes apparent that she is stuck in the den and cannot actually turn her body. The assessor is able to move the den and direct her into the cubby during which it is noted that she has been sitting in her urine for some time. She is allowed to decompress for some time. *** PLS SEE ABOVE 'POTENTIAL CHALLENGES COMMENTS' FOR FULL INITIAL BEHAVIOR EVALUATION DUE TO SPACE. *** 10/20/25 inside of her box, Gwendalyn has her tail wrapped with forward ears and wide eyes when the kennel door is open and as soon as a tray of treats is placed near her box, she stands and steps out to sniff and investigate. She gets distracted by the scratcher tool that has held out front of her and leans into sniff while leaning all the way in for chin and cheek rubs. Gwendolyn enjoys all pets on her head, cheeks, under her chin as well as down and around her body while leaning in harshly for more and remaining tolerant with a high tail. After a few moments, Gwendalyn becomes aroused by the tool and swats at it with light force, no claws, but still leans in for more pets and tolerates all the movements with the tool. When the assessor returns with bite gloves, she enjoys all the pets on her head, chin and cheeks, as well as down on her on her body with no reaction and allows a brief pick up with no issues. However, when the noise levels in the room increases due to the door opening, she jumps to the top part of the kennel where she perches with her tail tightly wrapped and will not come down with any efforts of pets or treats. 10/20/25 Upon further evaluation, Gwendalyn seems be very reactive and display behaviors that would not be suitable for public adoption. When the assessor approached the kennel she was inside of her box with a neutral face and body. However, when they reached in to toss in some treats Gwendalyn reached out quickly swatting/striking the assessor with force then leaning in to bite. Gwendalyn, at this point has dilated eyes and an arched back as she watches the assessors hand for further movement showing no interest in the treats that were dropped. Gwendalyn is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. She has tried to swat / scratch / bite / 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.