Pumpkin
Hello, my name is Pumpkin . My animal id is #258106. I am a desexed male orange tabby cat at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 8 years 1 months 2 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a aco - impound on 6/25/2026.
Sorry, this pet is for new hope partners only.
Pre-Screener FormPumpkin is on the at risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. He is now displaying consistent and escalated distance increasing behaviors such as hissing, swatting and lunging. 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 and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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. 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 Pumpkin is on the at risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. He is now displaying consistent and escalated distance increasing behaviors such as hissing, swatting and lunging. 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 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. My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! I have medical needs that staff will address with you when you meet me. I will flourish in a calm environment and a low-traffic home. I can be slow to adjust to new environments. I prefer to take things at my own pace. Cheek and chin scratches make me so happy! I am a sweet, social, older gentleman, looking for the perfect forever home! Pumpkin tolerates attention and petting but appears to be moderately fearful or stressed in the shelter. He will likely need time to warm up to his/her new home. We recommend that he go to a home with some cat experience preferred or at least be well counseled in fearful cat behavior 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: 10.46 lbs
6/26/2026
DVM Intake Exam History: ACO impound Estimated age: Approx 5-10 years Microchip noted on Intake? Negative Subjective: BAR, no c/s/v/d noted, food in kennel uneaten Observed behavior: Hunched and tense, mild attempts to flee, allows handling with towel Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? - no Objective P = wnl R = wnl BCS = 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, no ocular discharge, moderate mucopurulent nasal discharge noted, ears - moderate dark discharge AU Oral Exam: mm pink and moist, CRT <2; marked halitosis, stomatitis, tartar, gingivitis, gingival recession - stage IV ddz PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NMA, SSP; audible congestion - lungs otherwise clear ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male neutered MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Assessment: Stomatitis and severe dental disease Mild underweight URI Prognosis: Fair Plan: CBC/CHEM/T4 to Idexx Ears cleaned, selamectin applied Start medical feedings BID Start doxycycline 10 mg/kg PO SID x 10 days Vitamin B12 0.25 ml SQ once Recheck with bw results tomorrow Recheck URI day 10
6/27/2026
Recheck and bw results S/O: QAR, ate some wet food, no c/s/v/d noted EENT: No ocular discharge, mild mucoserous nasal discharge LUNGS: Eupneic CNS: Appropriate mentation CBC: WBC 21.2 (H), neutrophils 17.744 (H), monocytes 0.636 (H), eosinophils 0.191 (L), platelets 459 (H) CHEM: BUN 11 (L), sodium 145 (L), chloride 106 (L) T4: wnl UA: USG 1.016 (L) A: Low USG - ro UTI vs open Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis - ro infection vs inflammation vs neoplasia vs other Stomatitis, severe dental disease Mild underweight URI P: Added in urine culture to ro UTI Continue doxycycline and recheck as scheduled CTM on rounds
6/30/2026
Recheck, urine culture results S/O: QAR, curled at back of kennel, attempts to hide when approached, but allows touch; eating well, no c/s/v/d noted EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge ORAL: mm pink and moist, ddz as previous LUNGS: Eupneic MSI: Healthy haircoat CNS: Appropriate mentation Urine culture: no growth A: URI - no signs notable today Severe dental disease Low USG - open Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis - ro infection/inflammation (ddz) vs neoplasia vs other Mild underweight P: No further diagnostics, patient stable/improving Recommend dental procedure Consider recheck USG on first morning urine CTM while at QACC
7/2/2026
Recheck URI, appetite, low USG S/O: QAR, at back of kennel, tense and growls for some handling, but able to examine/perform tasks with towel restraint; ate well overnight EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge; no congestion appreciated LUNGS: Eupneic CNS: Appropriate mentation USG, in house (calibrated and used mutliple refractometers to confirm): >1.050 A: Low USG - resolved Severe dental disease URI - appears resolved Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis - ro infection/inflammation (ddz) vs neoplasia vs other Mild underweight P: Move to adoptions, recheck in a few days to ensure URI fully resolved Continue doxycycline for full course Recommend dental procedure with placement CTM while at QACC
7/6/2026
Progress exam: URI recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:2/3 ate medications & majority of 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 appears resolved PLAN: Per standing orders -Move out of iso, signage placed -CTM on daily rounds while in QACC
7/24/2026
Start gabapentin 100 mg PO BID for FAS in shelter
7/31/2026
Pre-Op Exam, lost ~7 oz in shelter S/O: BAR, no c/s/v/d noted EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge noted ORAL: mm pink and moist, mod tartar/calculus and gingivitis, purulent discharge from 404 Lungs: Eupneic, normal respiratory rate/effort ABD: NMP MSI: Healthy haircoat, very mild underweight/DMW CNS: Mentation appropriate CBC: WBC 17.20 (H), neutrophils 14.87 (H), monocytes 0.74 (H), platelets 130 (L) *plt aggregates detected CHEM/T4: wnl USG: >1.050 A: Periodontal disease, tooth root infection Mild underweight P: Dental with rads/extractions today SURGERY: Okay for surgery
7/31/2026
DENTAL Dental procedure performed due to periodontal disease: -Full mouth rads: resorption noted at 309 & 409; lg area of lucency at rostral root of 307 -Deep pocketing, alveolar bone expansion, purulent discharge at 404 -Mobile tooth with heavy calculus 109 -Missing teeth: 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, 209, 303, 403 -Extractions: 109, 307, 309, 404, 409 -Gingival flaps at 307, 309, 409, closed with 4-0 monocryl -Extraction site 404 - drilled alveolar bone in order to close with 4-0 monocryl Remaining teeth scaled and polished. Plan: Onsior 2mg/kg SQ given peri-op; zorbium applied post-op Continue onsior 6 mg PO SID x 3 days Continue gabapentin indefinitely for FAS (+ pain) Wet food diet for one week, recheck scheduled in one week
8/1/2026
1 day post dental with extractions Current analgesia: Received Onsior and Zorbium yesterday; receiving onsior daily for 3 days post dental S/O: QAR in den, P backed away when approached. Wet food trays are untouched from this AM and last night. Large dilated pupils, mild drooling with pink-tinged drool from lips. No swelling or active hemorrhage visible or on bedding. Visual exam only to reduce FAS. A: 1 day post dental, anorexia since dental P: Recheck appetite tomorrow and again as needed
8/3/2026
recheck post-dental, did not eat 1 day post-op. Currently on onsior (ends 8/3) and received zorbium 7/31. Unable to evaluate as patient was hiding and did not want to interact. Suspected to have eaten a few bites of food. P: Place monitoring sheet Rx mirtazapine transdermal SID x 3 days Recheck placed for 8/4
8/4/2026
DVM Progress Exam Brief Recheck S/O/A: -Dental procedure 7/31 -P noted to have an appetite score of 2/3 this morning -P appears BAR, comfortable, with no C/S/V/D or other concerns reported P: -CTM via routine shelter procedures and through scheduled recheck -Continue scheduled mirtazapine
8/7/2026
Recheck post-dental BAR, eating well. Patient did not tolerate an exam, so evaluated mouth while hissing at me. Visual exam does not show any discharge or swelling. P: OK to take off soft diet. OK for next steps.
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
KNOWN HISTORY:: Pumpkin was brought in from a hoarding situation with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 7/10/26 FB61 Lying in litterbox, body and face tense with his feet and tail tucked and his pupils dilated. He makes eye contact when spoken to and then he quickly looks away. Very nervous boy. He hisses when I touch his head with the scratcher tool so I do not push further hands on interaction at this time. I leave him a catnip toy to play with however he remains too focused on me to engage with it further. Needs more time to adjust. 7/13/26 Pumpkin is on top of the high ledge when I approach. He has forward ears and a hard stare, his tail wrapped around himself and his body tense as he watches me. He hisses as I crack the door open. I lean in to slide in treats, then he hisses again and swats. I move out of the kennel and try slow blinks and talking softly to him from afar. He watches quietly and lip-licks, pressed into the corner. 7/16/26 FB61 Very nervous today. I open the cubby door and he's pressed against the back wall, all his limbs tucked and his tail wrapped tightly around him. He raises his head to hiss and he maintains eye contact with a tense expression and flattened ears. I slow-blink and speak to him softly as I offer treats and a catnip toy, however he remains too focused on me to engage with the offerings. When I check on him later, the treats and toy appear to remain untouched. 7/17/26 In his cubby at the back with a tense face and body, curled up and hissing as he begins to low growl. He moves forward quickly to lunge and swats as I move to place a treat tray down. I spray Feliway and he pauses hissing for a moment but hisses again when the cubby is opened wider, lunging and hissing again. 7/18/26 FB79 When i lifted the kennel cover, Punpkin was out of sight inside of the cubby but could be heard hissing/growling; when i attempted to open the cubby door he swatted with force and spat. When i was able to slightly open the door and get a better look Punpkin was tense with wide/dilated eyes, flat ears and his paw still lifted seemingly ready to strike. I didn't offer any treats or attempt contact - only spoke to him softly but he remained tense hissing and growling as he watched me for further movement. 07/20/26 FB47 Pumpkin immediately starts to growl low as I peek into his kennel. He is in his side cubby with large pupils and a tense body. When I go to open the crate to put in a tray of treats, he hisses and spits. I end the interaction. I leave him the tray of treats through his food portal. GAN
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period,Adult cat socialization
Potential challenges comments:: Pumpkin is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He 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 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. Please speak to an adoption counselor to learn more about socialization techniques.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 6/28/26 Inside of his litterbox, Pumpkin has a low body with his face tucked away; he had forward ears, low shy eyes and his tail wrapped. When the assessor entered the kennel he lowered his face more to hide his eyes and avoid eye contact. He had no reaction when spoke to and when the assessor reached in with the tool to pet he tried to hide his face more. He tolerated all petting on his head, cheeks as well as down and around his back and body. The assessor reached in with their hand and pet his cheeks as he started to blink slowly while still trying to hide his face. He remained very still with a neutral body followed by started to slow blink when pet all over his body. Pumpkin allowed the assessor to reach around and pick him up as he curled into their arms and allowed all pets while being pet. He hide his face into the assessors chest and when placed back into his litterbox he kept eye contact with the assessor as they spoke to him softly followed by slow blinking a few times. 7/12/26 As the feline behavior team has continued to work with Pumpkin, he has presented more fearful defensive behaviors. During today's evaluation, he was not able to be touched and remained crouched on the ledge, stepping forward and hissing with an open mouth and growling if the observer entered the kennel. His initial evaluation was completed in a more quiet area upon arrival where he was more docile and receptive to human interaction, allowing all petting. It is possible that he is more frightened in the more heavily trafficked adoption area, especially as a cat from a hoarding situation who might have very limited or no experience with strangers. The behavior team will continue to work with Pumpkin and build positive associations through daily enrichment and socialization work. 7/23/26 Pumpkin appears to be deteriorating in the shelter at this time. Although timid of interaction initially, he now lunges and swats at his kennel before the assessor is able to open the door. Pumpkin is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He/she has tried to swat / scratch, 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.
