Animal Profile

Peppertwist 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. Peppertwist 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 have lived with cats in my previous home. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. Hi, my name is Peppertwist and the shelter has been a little overwhelming for me. I came from a home with many cats, who I've gotten along with well. Because I've lived in this home my entire life, I have little experience with people and am hesitant of new experiences. I would enjoy living in a quiet home, preferably one with lots of vertical space so I have a place to perch and observe the room. I would also appreciate having experienced, patient adopter(s) who are willing to take things slow with me. I would benefit from socialization, using rewards whenever I make a small positive step like making eye contact, allowing petting, or sniffing your hand. I'd prefer to take things at my own pace and would appreciate some good old fashion TLC. If you can open your heart to adopt a cat like me, I'll hopefully have the confidence to come around to my new people, like you!

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.8 lbs

Medical Notes

10/21/2025

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1yr based on dentition/conformation Microchip noted on intake? scans negative History: owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - timid; hiding in back of den and had to be carried out; tries to flee at times Is there evidence of Cruelty? no Is there evidence of Neglect? no Is there evidence of Trauma? no Objective P = 200 R = 24 BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears thick crusted debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: clean adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI; 2 testicles descended 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 Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Approx. 1yr MI DSH ear mites Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks ear cleaning Apply selarid SURGERY: Okay for surgery

10/30/2025

Pre-Op Exam S: QAR at front of cubby with dilated pupils O: cage side exam only EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge noted H/L: Eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion MSI: Ambulatory x 4, healthy haircoat CNS: Mentation appropriate/ alert A: Appears to be a good anesthetic candidate P: Neuter today

10/30/2025

[Surgery - Cat Neuter] Was this cat a Cryptorchid? No Routine Feline Neuter Self tie of spermatic cord Green Linear Tattoo Placed near Midline Surgeon: 2172 Additional Note: Ears cleaned

10/30/2025

Feline Neuter performed by Vet: 2172 Patient anesthesia form uploaded to Shelter Buddy in Vet Documents.

10/31/2025

Post-Op Exam S: QAR laying down in cubby O: EEN- eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge RESP- eupneic, no coughing/sneezing or audible congestion while cage side or noted on board MSK/i- Ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat. Unable to visualize surgery site but no apparent discharge on bedding. Neuro- alert/appropriate A: Appears to be healing well post op P: Monitor

11/21/2025

SO: BAR, taking treats offered eent: eyes OS mucoid dc with mild blepharospasm and inflamed conjunctiva, clear mucoid nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-moderate conjunctivitis P: ofloxacin OS BID x7d 0.9ml doxycycline 50mg/ml PO SID x10d monitor appetite

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Peppertwist was brought in with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. Lived in a home with 30+ other cats.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: Prior assessment on 10/21/25: Upon approach Peppertwist is in his den, standing at the very back with dilated pupils. He is tolerant of all petting with the scratcher tool but remains stiff, turning his body to face the back wall to avoid further contact afterwards. Treats are offered but he ignores them, remaining tense throughout the interaction. 10/25/25 Vol. In the back of cubby looking forward. Offered dry treats on scratcher tool. Ignored. Slow approach with scratcher tool to try to pet. Hissed and swatted. Left dry treats on perch. Offered lickable treat on scratcher tool. Looked at, then ignored. Left more dry treats on perch. Looked at dry treats with head through portal opening then back into cubby. 10/26/25 Vol. Peppertwist was lying on his side, head up, in the top cubby. I put treats on the ledge in front of the cubby, and he wasn’t interested. I opened the cubby door, and his pupils dilated a little, but he didn’t move. I talked to him for a few seconds, but then someone came in the room, and he got up and moved to the back of the cubby. 10/27/25 FB47 Peppermint Twist was in the cubby and pulled back and sat up tall when spoken to. He sniffed the treats a little bit and allowed gentle petting with the scratcher tool, but petting with the hand was not attempted. He remained in place. 10/29/25 Vol. Peppertwist was dozing on his side towards the back of the floor of the main condo. He opened his eyes, looking relaxed, stretching, and extending his paws and claws. I opened the door and began to sweet-talk him. His eyes were wide, pupils dilated, ears up and whiskers down. Ignored dry treats and eyed me, unblinking, jumped up to the ledge, and then through the portal where he batted at the tool extended with the treat. He spent some time following the laser light but not engaging. A further treat offer met with an attempt to bat at the tool. Continued to talk with him quietly as he relaxed and blinked before ending interaction. Needs more time. 10/31/25 Vol. Peppertwist stayed in his cubby with his front paws hanging over the cubby entrance. It was difficult to see his body language due to him hiding. He showed a little interest in churu but not enough to emerge from cubby. When the cubby was slowly opened to peek at him, he was sitting up crouched in the back, ears flat and lip licking. interaction ended, left with a tray of churu and catnip mouse. A few minutes later, he was out of the portal, rolling around with the catnip mouse and pouncing around his kennel. He engaged with a feather wand through the window. 11/1/25 Vol. In cubby when approached, sat up and moved to back of cubby. Ears flat and licking lips. stepped away momentarily. Offered dry treats on scratcher tool. Hissed and growled. Left treats nearby. Offered squeeze up on scratcher tool on opposite side. Hissed, growled and licking lips. Offered squeeze up through main door near portal opening. Ignored but looking towards perch.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Mellow,Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Sweet,Curious,Skittish,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: Peppertwist 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, he 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: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: Due to behavior observed may be intimidated by young children, no children under 13 up to counselor discretion.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Peppertwist was relaxed in the main area and watched from a distance. He was cautious and initially backed away from the scratcher tool, but accepted slow, gentle petting on his head and body. After a few strokes, he leaned in and enjoyed chin scratches. He showed curiosity with treats and slowly approached to eat, though he became hesitant when touched on the head and retreated again. The assessment was ended early to minimize his stress. Peppertwist 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.