Animal Profile

Lucky Kentucky 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. Lucky Kentucky 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 would do best in a home without very tiny humans, although I could be open to older human children once I meet them. I have lived with cats in my previous home. I am finding the shelter a little overwhelming, but when it's just you and me and some peace and quiet you'll see what a love bug I am. I am looking for a home with a patient person. I can be slow to adjust to new environments. I prefer to take things at my own pace. I will flourish in a calm environment and a low-traffic home. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. Lucky Kentucky tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, he may not be a great fit for young children. Any home with older children prepared to adopt this cat should conduct a thorough interaction and endeavor to monitor this cat around their children to prevent these behaviors from being reinforced. A volunteer writes: Giving everyone the chance to admire his toys, Lucky Kentucky stretches out with his beautiful collection carefully circled around him. I love the way whatever game this is doubles as a chance to display them all. He probably has the nicest toys the Care Center has to offer, but only the vaguest interest in traditional playtime. Everyone seems to bring him the prettiest ones so that Lucky Kentucky can arrange his newest acquisition with his practiced eye. He's very particular with his organization. He's particular about a few things actually. Lucky Kentucky hasn't really been one for pets at the shelter, so his look with your eyes and not with your hands approach to his toys seems to also extend to himself as he keeps an eye out on his toys and Adoptions. Waiting for someone to notice his collection and take a chance on him, Lucky Kentucky is hoping to meet you soon.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 11.7 lbs

Medical Notes

10/30/2025

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1 yo Microchip noted on Intake? No History: Owner surrender Subjective: BARH Observed Behavior - Shy and tentative but allows gentle pets, and all handling. Gentle demeanor. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = not taken P = 180 R = 32 BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, thick dark brown debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: neg oral PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI, 2 scrotal testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: external WNL Assessment 1 yo MI dsh 1. apparently healthy 2. otitis AU 3. +/- ear mites Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks Selarid applied Cleaned ears Rx tresaderm AU BID x 10 days R/c ears 1 week SURGERY: Okay for surgery

11/7/2025

SO: Diagnosed with otitis externa on intake BAR, sticks head out den and hisses eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: otitis externa-likely resolved P: unable to recheck with hands on exam, but ear appear comfortable on visual exam.

12/4/2025

SO: BAR, comes to kennel door but retreats when door opens. Appears to be eating. Smear of blood seen in kennel eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: blood in kennel P: unable to identify source of blood continue to monitor

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Spay/Neuter status: No

Date of Intake: 10/30/2025

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

Basic Information:: Lucky Kentucky is a 1 year old male DSH. Owner is surrendering due the cat spraying (not being altered), the owner is also dealing with mental distress, and they are moving to a no pet policy apartment.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 1 child, and 2 other cats.

How is this cat around strangers?: With strangers and visitors, Lucky does not have much experiences but he will actively avoid and retreats when introducing.

How is this cat around children?: Lucky is tolerant of children, he will warm up to them after the two weeks or more, he also prefers contact on his own terms.

How is this cat around other cats?: - friendly and outgoing - Curious - Prefers contact on their own terms.

How is this cat around dogs?: No experiences.

Behavior Notes: Trims their nails: never done Brushes their coat: hisses Picks up or holds them: unbothered Places them in a carrier unbothered

Bite history:: None reported.

Energy level/descriptors:: medium

For a New Family to Know: (owner's boyfriend did not complete.)

KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Cat Previously lived with: 2 adults, 1 child, and 2 other cats. Behavior toward strangers: With strangers and visitors, Lucky does not have much experiences but he will actively avoid and retreats when introducing. Behavior toward children: tolerant of children, he will warm up to them after the two weeks or more, he also prefers contact on his own terms. Behavior toward cats: friendly and outgoing, curious, prefers contact on their own terms. Behavior toward dogs: No experiences Bite or Scratch history: None Litter box training: No litter box accidents; however, there are reports of him spraying due to being unaltered. Energy level/descriptors: Medium energy Other notes: hisses when brushing his coat. unbothered when picked up and held or placed in a carrier.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PREVIOUS ASSESSMENT 11/2/25 Lucky Kentucky was lying down in loaf position in the litter box with a tense body and wide eyes. When spoken to and opening the door, he sits up and lip licks. He leans his head forward to sniff treats offered by hand but then leans back when reaching close to pet. He dodges his head when pet on the head and cheeks and then hisses when stroking his body. Pick up was not attempted in order to reduce stress. When continuing to pet him, but now with the scratcher tool, he climbs on top of the den to avoid attention and swishes his tail sideways. 11/3/25 FB47 Lucky Kentucky was lying at the front of the kennel asleep. I’ve woken up. Her pupils were very large, and she pulled back appearing anxious. When some treats were offered at the door, she gave a little low growl but sniffed them briefly and also sniffed catnip. She remained hunched, and alert, even when the assessor stopped paying attention. 11/4/25 Vol. Sitting in his litter box with wide, dilated eyes. He hissed when I approached but settled down enough to eat 2 Squeeze-ups from the clicker. He hissed again when I tried to introduce the cat dancer and laser to him. He never moved from the litter box. A little spicy. 11/5/25 Vol. Lying sprawled in his side, looking up with neutral eyes. He rolled onto his front and chirped a greeting when approached. He immediately leaned forward to sniff treats on scratcher tool, then hissed. He then ate the treats and gave slow blinks. When offered more treats, he growled, then gave more slow blinks and ate the treats. His behavior seemed conflicted and stressed, so ended the interaction. 11/7/25 Vol When climbed up to read report, Lucky Kentucky stuck head out of hidey box to hiss and growl, eyes wide, ears sorta flat, lip licked. Put in treat bowl. he hissed but came forward to eat, avoiding tool while eating. When finished he pulled back into box. Approached box with hard treats on scratcher tool - he leaned out to sniff and eat treats and did allow a few head scratches before pulling back. Refilling treat bowl, Lucky Kentucky hissed again but came forward only to pull back into box. Approached with treats on tool - he sniffed and pulled back. Let tool rest and ended interaction. 11/8/25 Hisses, scanning the room from inside the den. Alert with eyes wide. Sniffs the scratcher tool through the side portal door. Allows brief pets on the head but continues to hiss. Wary with his surroundings while he ate squeeze up from the tool. Needs time to adjust. 11/10/25 FB47 Lucky Kentucky was in the den, looking out and lip-licking, and when the kennel door was opened to deliver some treats, he began hissing and growling and struck the den door once. Once the kennel door was shut, he poked his head out, curious, perhaps about the treats. --CONTINUED IN GAN--

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Curious,Timid,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: Lucky Kentucky may be easily overstimulated or sensitive to touch on his body. When stroking his body, he hisses, retreats, and swishes his tail sideways. He was reported to hiss when having his coat brushed; however, he was also reported by his previous home to be unbothered when picked up and held or placed in a carrier. Lucky Kentucky 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 him 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.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: No young children under 13 years old due to fearfulness. Counselor discretion is advised.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Lucky Kentucky is laying in the main kennel area, curled up, eyes and body neutral. When the kennel door is opened, he sits up, slightly tense as he observes the assessor. He is spoken to softly and relaxes after a few seconds, allowing the assessor to place treats in front of him, which he leans forward to sniff at and begins to eat. He is tolerant of petting on the head, shoulders, and down his back with the scratcher tool but does tense slightly on initial contact. He is able to be coaxed to the front of the kennel slowly using treats and allows the assessor to slowly place a small tray of tuna in front of him. The assessor attempts to pet him with their hands, and he immediately backs away, stiffening and looking at the assessor with wide eyes. He is able to be coaxed to the front of the kennel again with more soft talking and begins to eat his tuna. The assessor attempts petting with the scratcher tool and he is again tolerant of petting on the head, shoulders, and down his back. As the kennel door is closed and the interaction is ended, Lucky Kentucky calmly walks to the back of the kennel, curling up and laying down. Lucky Kentucky tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, he may not be a great fit for young children. Any home with older children prepared to adopt this cat should conduct a thorough interaction and endeavor to monitor this cat around their children to prevent these behaviors from being reinforced.