Animal Profile
Mittens
Hello, my name is Mittens. My animal id is #145552. I am a desexed female black cat at the . The shelter thinks I am about 7 years 1 months 2 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 7/2/2022, with the surrender reason stated as person circumstance- no time for animal.
Reserved
Someone has already placed a deposit on me. I'm no longer available.
Mittens is on the emergency placement list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and seems to be deteriorating. She is cautious of petting and now is also hissing and swatting when her kennel is approached. 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 to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers.
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.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 22 lbs
7/5/2022
[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age:7y Microchip noted on Intake?n History:o surrender Subjective: Observed Behavior -striking spitting growling Evidence of Cruelty seen -n Evidence of Trauma seen -n Objective T = P =180 R =eup BCS 9/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam:;limited but seems wnl PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G:female reported intact MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: obese Prognosis:good Plan:weight loss
7/26/2022
Progress Exam History: Intake 7/5/2022: Owner surrender, noted obese. Today, 7.25: URI signs seen on rounds. Subjective: BAR, no vomiting/diarrhea. Mild sneezing. Objective: Cageside exam performed. Eyes: Clear bilaterally, no discharge Nasal Cavity: Mild serous nasal discharge Lungs: Eupneic Musculoskeletal: Ambulatory x 4 with no appreciable lameness. Neuro: Appropriate mentation. Assessment: -Mild URI -Obese Prognosis: Good Plan: -Start doxycycline 10 mg/kg PO q24h x 10d until 8/4 -Move to isolation -Recheck day 7
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 4. Orange
Upon intake staff was able to collard and take a picture and transfer into a shelter carrier with no problem
Is this cat having litter box issues?: No
Basic Information:: Mittens is a 7 year old domestic short hair cat. She is being surrender because she is overweight, and she is unable to groomed herself.
Previously lived with:: 2 adults 1 child
How is this cat around strangers?: Around strangers Mittens is friendly and outgoing.
How is this cat around children?: Mittens has previously lived with a 7 year old child, she was relaxed and affectionate.
How is this cat around other cats?: Mittens has never been around other cats so her behavior is unknown
How is this cat around dogs?: Mittens has never been around dogs' so her behavior is unknown
Behavior Notes: Mittens enjoys getting her coat brushed and being picked up to be put in her carrier. She struggles during bath time and when she is picked up to be held
Bite history:: Mittens has no known bite history
Energy level/descriptors:: Low
Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No
Medical Notes: No known medical concern However she is overweight
For a New Family to Know: Mittens is described as affectionate, mellow, and talkative with a low energy level. When at home Mittens follows you around. Her favorite toy is a string, she was mainly an indoor cat and slept in her cat bed. She was fed four times a day brand Science Diet. She used a hooded litterbox and used crystals litter. Her favorite treat is cheese.
KNOWN HISTORY:: There is no information on Mittens' behavior in a home environment.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 7/06/22 Hunched in box upon approach, body and face tense and pupils dilated. She sniffs the treats warily initially, but after a few moments she steps out slowly to eat the ones closest to her. I am unable to clicker train because she pauses when she notices me and won’t step out of her box for more treats while I’m watching. She will eat them when I walk away however, so I just spend this session creating positive associations with treats and sweet-talk. Needs more time. 7/07/22 Resting in her hidey box, cautiously looking around with wide pupils. She lifts her head when spoken softly and makes eye contact, face tensing a bit. She wasn't interested in the treats given today, so I spent time talking and soft blinking. She seems very cautious of the door so she was given a shor-line cover to block stimuli and see if she starts to feel calmer. Will continue to build a positive association. 7/10/22 Lying by the front and watches movement in the room, growling whenever something is near her kennel. Hisses when the cage cover is lifted and will sit upright, focused on me, growling. Will lean away and growl louder when I extend the scratcher, so I placed treats by the front and continued to coax her. Sniffs temptations and squeeze ups but will not eat them. I spent time blinking, playing purring sounds, and sweet talking her and she eventually lies back down but she still focuses on movement and sounds in the environment. 7/11/22 Lying in front of kennel, cheeks round and face neutral. When I lift the cage cover she stands up and stretches, tail raising like she forgot she’s supposed to be scared, then she hunches back down and begins to huff, face tensing. I speak to her softly and slow-blink and she grumbles a bit, then I leave her some chicken and a silvervine toy for later. She’s more tolerant and curious in her kennel today but she’s not ready for petting yet. I am unable to clicker train her today because she does not eat the treats while I’m watching. Needs more time. 7/13/22 Lying in front of kennel, face and body tense. She makes and maintains eye contact with dilated pupils when approached, then begins to stress meow, huff, hiss and swat through the door. I spend some time speaking to her softly and slow-blinking, and she responds by relaxing her face slightly, returning slow-blinks and then looking away. She eats the treat offered and I finish the session by clicking and rewarding to build an association. Needs time. Very round, very stressed. 7/14/22 Lying by the front of the kennel, eyes wide and alert. She remains in place on approach and slowly eland forward to sniff the scratcher tool. She accepts gentle pets on her head then eats the treats given as a reward. She low growled a bit to stop petting so more treats were given to end on a positive note. She was given a double kennel with a hidey box to see if the extra space helps her feel less stressed out. - GAN.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Sweet,Graceful,Curious,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,Very high energy level,New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavior flyers for more information.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Mittens was lying underneath the kuranda bed with a tense face and wide pupils. She remained in place on approach and calmly leaned forward to sniff the treats given. Mittens accepted brief petting on her head, then stood up and came to the front, lifting her tail when petted along the back. Her tail sways two times then she hisses as she looks around the room cautiously. Pick-up was not attempted to avoid stressing her out more. Mittens appears to have warmed up to the shelter environment and now allows petting and handling. Mittens was lying calmly in her box upon approach, ears forward and face relaxed. She steps forward to greet the assessor as the kennel door opens, then she allows petting along her head and back with the assessor's hand while leaning in and raising her tail. Her tail sways and swirls around and to test her tolerance the assessor pets her back with a bit more energy. She then hisses and turns her head to watch in response, ears tilting. Mittens is affectionate and social but may have the potential to become overstimulated. Mittens seems to be a sweet and independent cat that is cautious and is still adjusting to the shelter environment. She might need time to adjust to her new home and adopter. Please be advised that there was a growling cat above Mittens which could stress her out resulting in hissing and feeling unsure. We believe that Mittens has potential to warm up more once in a calm environment. She should go an adult only home with experienced cat parents.