Animal Profile

Harp 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. Due to the detailed behavior issues, this animal is only available for foster/adoption through one of ACC's New Hope Partners. If you are interested in adopting or fostering, please fill out the pre-screener form. This animal is not directly available for adoption through ACC and is only available by completing the pre-screener form. Adoption inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Harp 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. My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets. A volunteer writes: Harp poked his head out of his cubby to check what I was doing. When he saw the treat in my hand, he looked at me plaintively and explained that while he wasn't quite ready to come all the way out to say hello, could he still have the treat? Of course! We all have different types of days, some much better than others, and Harp is trying really hard to get more good days but herein lies the challenge. Like many of our more sensitive hearted friends, he's not loving the Care Center. We don't know much about his life prior to coming here and all the big changes and the different sights and sounds that come around with them have been a bit much for our Harp. He's hoping that all of the efforts he makes to come out for treats will help endear himself to visitors because he knows that a better future is just ahead. We applaud his best and hope you will too!

My medical notes are...

Weight: 8.7 lbs

Medical Notes

10/7/2024

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1 yrs Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: stray Subjective: scared, frozen, not hissing or growling, just wants to flee Observed Behavior - Is there evidence of Cruelty? NO Is there evidence of Neglect? no Is there evidence of Trauma? no Objective BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: white young teeth PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: intact male. two testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: fearful cat, apparently healthy Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks, adoption SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Harp was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 11/2/24 Vol. Harp was poised halfway between the cubby and the shelf in the main kennel, crouching with ears half-flat and eyes wide. He moves energetically between the cubby and the condo, continuing to crouch. When I placed some Temptations on the shelf, he grabbed them in his paw, and pulled them into the cubby to eat. I extended the packet of squeeze up and he licked it straight from the packet, relaxing slightly, then swiped at the empty packet. He avoids any attempt to be pet by hand. Highly skittish (may need more interactive toys). 11/3/24 Vol. Resting on the top shelf in the main kennel. Retreated to cubby when I approached, but quickly poked head out to investigate. Came forward for Temptations and squeeze-up, taking them back to the cubby to eat. Allowed me to retrieve the paper cup from the cubby and sniffed my hand, but after I closed the cubby door, poked head out the portal with airplane ears and hissed. Remained agitated, stress meowing, for a minute or so. After he calmed down a bit, gave him more squeeze-up, leaving my hand nearby. He ate the squeeze-up, then lightly batted my hand. Played with a pipe cleaner toy through the bars, batting hard at it. Enjoyed a few more Temptations, but remained skittish, darting forward to eat the treats. Continued playing with the pipe cleaner toy after I left. 11/6/24 Vol. Standing at rear of den with flattened ears. Ate a little Squeeze-up from the clicker but then he hissed and knocked the clicker from my hand. But I put 2 Squeeze-ups in his bowl and he ate it up. He also devoured the canned tuna I put in his bowl. He followed the laser with his eyes. 11/6/24 Vol. Harp was standing on shelf in kennel, watching the room with wide dilated eyes. When approached, he retreated toward back of kennel and lowered his ears somewhat. With some coaxing, he played with a feather toy, gradually becoming more animated. He crept forward to eat squeeze up from hand, but flinched away from attempted petting. Continued playing by himself after interaction, darting around kennel. Overall he seems conflicted. 11/14/24 ACFR Harp initially is at the front of the kennel soliciting attention by meowing and rubbing against the bars. He accepts squeeze up treat but retreats to the top of his den upon attempt to pet, airplane ears, tense body, pupils dilated. Remains conflicted throughout rest of interaction. 11/15/24 FB26 Treat motivated, but highly cautious with his surroundings. While eating he briefly allows a pass or two along the head but flinches throughout the interaction. Ears turn to the side when making contact. 12/2/24 FB32 Crouched down on top of den, accepts treats offered, allows petting when distracted. Without treats, he may step back, flatten his ears, and sniff my hand before allowing more petting and cheek rubs.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Playful,Curious,Timid,Skittish

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 10.09.2024: Harp was inside the den upon approach. He slowly retreats after lifting up den cover. Alert with eyes wide, scanning the room. Ears erect and forward. He was in a flight stance frozen in position. After, he allows petting with the scratcher tool along the head and body through the side portal door. However, he continues to remain crouched in place with no interest for offered treats. 11.07.2024: Upon approach Harp looked out of the cubby portal at the treats the assessor provided. but would only eat them the their hand was at a safe distance. The assessor attempted to pet with the scratch tool and by hand, but Harp scurried away from contact every time, low-growling. At one point he repeatedly batted the scratch tool. Due to high FAS, staff ended interaction. Harp is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He has tried 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.