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Gooseberry

Hello, my name is Gooseberry. My animal id is #249407. I am a female tabby cat at the Staten Island Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years 1 weeks old.

I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 3/26/2026, with the surrender reason stated as not a fit - too many animals already.

Sorry, this pet is for new hope partners only.

Pre-Screener Form

Gooseberry is at-risk due to distance-increasing behaviors. She is currently lunging, swatting, and hissing toward staff, which makes routine care such as cleaning and feeding difficult to complete. Gooseberry currently does not tolerate any form of touch and becomes highly stressed during interactions. Due to her under socialization and shelter stress, it is recommended that she be placed into a stable home environment with experienced adopters that are willing to slowly work with her. Medically, she had mild ocular discharge, on intake, and she is underweight.

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. Gooseberry is at-risk due to distance-increasing behaviors. She is currently lunging, swatting, and hissing toward staff, which makes routine care such as cleaning and feeding difficult to complete. Gooseberry currently does not tolerate any form of touch and becomes highly stressed during interactions. Due to her under socialization and shelter stress, it is recommended that she be placed into a stable home environment with experienced adopters that are willing to slowly work with her. Medically, she had mild ocular discharge, on intake, and she is underweight. What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! I have lived with cats in my previous home. I'm an independent kitty who likes to do my own thing. 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

My medical notes are...

Weight: 5.625 lbs

3/26/2026

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1-3 yrs Microchip noted on Intake? Negative Scan History: O/S Subjective: BARH Observed Behavior - Timid, tends towards freeze, allowed handling with gentle restraint Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective BCS 3/9 EENT: OS: mild clear discharge adhered to lateral palpebral, ears clean, no nasal discharge noted Oral Exam: Slight staining PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non-painful, no masses palpated U/G: F, no spay scar found MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: -Underweight -Mild ocular discharge otherwise appears healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: -Nutrition -Cleaned eyes, administered 1 drop Gentamicin ophthalmic OU, monitor SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

KNOWN HISTORY:: Gooseberry was brought in with limited information on their behavior history in a home environment. Gooseberry lived in a home with 30+ cats.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 3/30/26: Gooseberry is laying in the back of her kennel as staff arrives. She has slightly tense posture as she hisses upon seeing staff. She remains still, watching staff, as her kennel is tended to. Treats and toys are offered, but she does not show immediate interest in them. Gooseberry hisses again when staff gets near, as the interaction ends.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Skittish,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful: Gooseberry 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 her 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. Adult Cat Socialization: Gooseberry is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. She is very apprehensive of people and while showing no aggressive behaviors, she does attempt to flee and avoid human contact. It is difficult to predict if she 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. Please speak to an adoption counselor to learn more about socialization techniques.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Gooseberry is laying in her den and her head poking out as the handler approaches. She lets out a hiss and backs up as the handler opens the kennel door. A scratcher tool with some squeeze up is slowly extended out near the portal. Gooseberry lunges forward and smacks the scratcher tool hard. She hisses as the handler rests the scratcher tool by the portal. Gooseberry moves forward and pokes her head out of the den to lick the treat. The tool is removed and more squeeze up is added, she again hisses and smacks the tool hard. When the squeeze up is finished, the handler attempts to pet her with the tool and she swats at it before hissing and pushing herself into the back corner of the den. Gooseberry is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. She has been lunging and trying to swat 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.