Animal Profile

Painter is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. He is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. Without providing activity for his mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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 feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid (further) bite/scratch incidents.

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. 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 Painter is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. He is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. Without providing activity for his mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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 feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid (further) bite/scratch incidents. A volunteer writes: Painter is a young man, a handsome tiger brought to the care center with a kitten and without much information. He is a gentle and shy cat who is starting to come out of his shell, discovering or may be rediscovering the good feeling of a giving human touch and the soothing sound of a friendly voice. He leans slowly into my hand, blinks softly and dearly while staying in place(see his video). I feel a purr under my fingers. Beautiful Painter is getting there...Readying himself to meet his new family that should give him time and space to acclimate to a new page in his life. Lovely Painter is already neutered and could go home today...Come and meet him soon at the Manhattan Care Center. What my friends at ACC say about me: I have potential behavior challenges that staff will address with you when you meet me. 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 would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. I would do best in a home with only adult humans.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 12.4 lbs

Medical Notes

5/11/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2 to 4 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - Tense body for exam. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = 160 R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean adult teeth PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male intact MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: WNL externally Assessment Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks SURGERY: ok for surgery

5/20/2025

Rejected due to URI

5/21/2025

disregard

5/23/2025

SO: BAR, sitting in kennel, appears to have eaten some food eent: eyes clear, mucoid nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-moderate P: 1.1ml doxycycline 50mg/ml PO SID x7d medical feeding

5/29/2025

Recheck URI S: BAR, meowing at kennel door. Food bowls empty. O: EEN- Eyes clear, no appreciable discharge or epiphora. No nasal discharge noted. H/L- Eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion noted MSK/i- Ambulatory x4 Neuro- alert/appropriate A: No evidence of URI P: Monitor

6/9/2025

QAR in den. Eating well per log. Urinated in litter box. EEN: No ocular or nasal discharge RESP: Eupneic MSI: BCS 5/9 ambul x4 NEURO: Normal mentation. No neurologic abnormalities noted. A: apparently well. DOHB P: CTM

6/11/2025

On 6/11/2025 at approximately 8:30 AM, Painter was examined. The patient has appropriate mentation at this time (no neurological signs present) and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at MACC. Hx: on DOH for biting/scratching a person BAR eent- no nasal and no ocular discharge hl- clear and eupneic msi- ambulatory x 4; bcs- 4-5/9 neuro- no apparent deficits A) no apparent neuropathy present P) consider removing from DOH observation

6/16/2025

On 6/16/2025 at approximately 8:48 AM, Painter was examined. The patient has appropriate mentation at this time (no neurological signs present) and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at MACC. Hx: on DOH for biting/scratching a person Q-BAR eating eent- no nasal and no ocular discharge hl- clear and eupneic msi- ambulatory x 4; bcs- 5/9 neuro- no apparent deficits A) no apparent neuropathy present P) placing on quarantine observation

6/25/2025

On 6/25/2025 at approximately 8:30 AM, Painter was examined. The patient has appropriate mentation at this time (no neurological signs present) and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at MACC. Hx: on DOH for biting/scratching a person BAR eent- no nasal and no ocular discharge hl- clear and eupneic msi- ambulatory x 4; bcs- 5/9 neuro- no apparent deficits A) no apparent neuropathy present P) consider removing from DOH observation

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Painter was brought in without information on his behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 5/23/25 In hidey box, up against entry. Sleeping so soundly that did not move or react when put in treat bowl. Started to approach with tool - but he was sleeping and whiteboard noted that he may be sniffling. Ended interaction. 5/27/25 Vol. Came right up to kennel door for attention. Ate up 2 Squeeze-ups which he thoroughly enjoyed. Spent rest of interaction just rubbing his little head. Sweet boy. 6/1/25 FB32 Crouched down at front of kennel. When a neighboring cat below was stress meowing, hissing, and growling during an interaction, Painter loudly stressed meows and swatted (redirected aggression) through the bars but missed my face. Painter may be stressed out from the "emotional contagion" and may not do well with other cats. 6/4/25 FB26 Initially social and seeks attention, allowing petting along the head and body. He remains calm at first but soon exhibits pet-induced aggression by delivering a strong nip after a few strokes. Despite this, he resumes seeking attention, though the aggressive behavior persists. 6/9/25 FB47 Painter was exhibiting normal behavior and mentation. 6/9/25 FB47 Painter was exhibiting normal behavior and mentation.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Social,Shy ,Calm,Sweet,Curious,Timid

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

Potential challenges comments:: On 6/1/25, ACS Staff was cleaning Painter's kennel, he was fine the whole time until they touched the stomach to have the cat go on top of the shelf and he immediately started biting and grabbing/scratching their left forearm. On 6/15/25, Painter was rubbing against bars and ACS staff attempted to show another ACS how to clean around him while in kennel. ACS went to pet his head and Painter reacted by biting her right arm, causing five puncture wounds, and then let go. He may flinch or nip when pet, and he may tense up and flick his tail when picked up and held. He is very food motivated with high-valued puree treats, which can help build a positive association and tolerance with petting and handling when appropriately rewarded.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No other cats OR multi-cat home with adopters experienced with introducing new cats,Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Adult only due to overstimulation, fearfulness, and bite/scratch history. No other cats due to observations of redirected aggression in the shelter (see Enrichment Note from 6/1/25 for more details).

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 05/12/25: Painter was in the back of the kennel, hunched with large pupils and forward-facing ears. He pulled back slightly when approached with the treat bag. However, he sniffed the treats, began eating them, and allowed gentle petting—but then gave a single hiss. When offered squeeze-up, he licked it off the assessor’s finger, and while eating more from a food tray, he allowed a bit more petting. He’s a sweet cat who will need time to warm up to his new home. 06/08/25: Painter is a social, calm, and sweet cat who may be shy at times. He was curled up resting in the den upon approach and immediately rushes to the front of the kennel to greet the assessor when spoken to and opening the door. He eagerly accepts puree treat offered but initially flinches when pet on the head. He can be easily distracted with more puree treat and remains calm when receiving cheek rubs and stroking his body. During pick up, he tenses up, rests his front limbs on the assessor's arm, flicks his tail, and allows petting all over when held for 10 seconds. After placing him back down, he continues to appreciate more puree treat and tolerates more petting and cheek rubs. 06/29/25: Painter had 2 separate bite/scratch incidents in shelter with staff during cleaning and feeding times (see Potential challenges comments above for more details). Painter 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, scratch, bite, and displays conflicted behavior during basic animal care. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.