Animal Profile

Thumper Tail 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 and other methods 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.

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. Thumper Tail 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 and other methods 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. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form What my friends at ACC say about me: I have lived with cats in my previous home. I'm an independent kitty who likes to do my own thing. I am looking for a home with a patient person. Thumper Tail, due to prior owner history and a bite/scratch history we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only cat parent home who has been well counseled on under-socialized cats. It could be with you! Click here to learn more about the adoption process!

My medical notes are...

Weight: 5.56 lbs

Medical Notes

1/30/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 6 months based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender, multicat household Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - tense in den, opted to sedate due to DOH incident occurring when being picked up. Sedated using 0.1 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.1 ml Butorphanol (100mg/ml) + 0.1 ml Ketamine (100mg/ml) IM but minimal sedation reached so gave additional 0.1 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.1 ml Butorphanol(10mg/ml) and adequate sedation reached. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 3/9 EENT: Eyes clear OU, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult incisors, retained deciduous maxillary canines, otherwise WNL PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x4 (prior to sedation), skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat. Bob tail. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities (prior to sedation) Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Underweight Bob tail Retained maxillary deciduous canines Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake exam + update tasks Await sort + behavior assessment 0.2 ml antisedan IM SURGERY: Temporary waiver due to weight

2/9/2026

On 2/9/2026 at approximately 2:40pm, I examined Thumper Tail 246545. He has appropriate mentation at this time with no neurologic signs present, and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at ACC.

2/11/2026

SO: BAR, tense with dilated pupils in kennel eent: eyes clear, serous nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, repeated sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-mild P: starting fortiflora 1 sachet with food to support appetite for 7 days try to avoid hands on treatments due to behavior and FAS level

2/27/2026

SO: Diagnosed with mild URI BAR, appears to be eating dry food and treats with good appetite eent: eyes clear, mucoid nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, sniffling and sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-moderate P: 0.5ml doxycycline 50mg/ml PO SID x7d

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Thumper Tail was brought in without information on his behavior history in a home environment. Bite History: Previous owner's daughter arrived at MACC on 01/30 to surrender two cats on her mom's behalf. The client explained she was chasing one of the two cats named Thumper Tail around the house in attempt to place him inside the carrier around 12:20 pm earlier today (1/30/26). When she was able to catch and pick up Thumper Tail, he proceeded to bite and release both of her forearms approximately 4 times. The bite did break skin causing bleeding and leaving 2 puncture wounds on each forearm. The client stated she would be seeking medical attention. Thumper Tail lived with other cats in his previous home.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PRIOR ASSESSMENT 2/7/26 Thumper Tail was inside the den, appearing fearful with a hunched body and large pupils. He shrunk back from contact when approached with the treat bag, and when left alone for a minute, he halfway came out of the kennel, possibly to investigate treats. But as soon as the kennel door was opened, he fled back into the kennel, where he crouched again. When petting was attempted with the scratcher tool, he allowed it while hissing several times and arching his back. 2/2/26 FB73 Thumper Tail is curled up pressed against the back wall of his den, pupils dilated and body tense, turning his body around to face away from the handler as they approach and lift the den cover. When petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, contact is able to be made on his head and cheeks, but he flinches, leans away to avoid contact, and attempts to flee from the den. Interaction is ended to reduce FAS. 2/13/26 Vol. Thumper tail was curled up sleeping on top of den. When approached, he looked up with squinty eyes and returned slow blinks. He did not show interest when offered squeeze up on scratcher tool, remaining in place with a somewhat tense body. He tolerated brief petting on his head with scratcher tool, scrunching his head down into his shoulders. 2/15/26 Vol. Earlier, was sitting at the front of the kennel, near food and water bowls. Fled to den when treats were dropped in through the bars. Later, was resting in den away from the portal. Flinched when a cup of Temptations and squeeze-up were dropped in. Checked back after 10 minutes and had not eaten. Did not show interest in a wand toy. Raised cover and was facing forward in den with dilated eyes. 2/20/26 Vol. Thumper tail was inside den away from opening. He did not react when offered treats on scratcher tool, remaining quiet and out of sight. When offered a feather toy, he swatted it hard (not playfully) one time, then retreated further into den. Ended interaction to limit FAS. 2/26/25 Vol. Sitting on top of his den with totally flat ears and wide eyes. He hissed when kennel doors were opened. Gave him some toys rolled in catnip which he started to sniff at. Swatted at the clicker with Squeeze-ups but not in a playful way. Followed laser with his eyes. 3/1/26 FB73 Thumper Tail is laying inside of his den, pupils dilated, body tense, and crouching forward. When petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, he is initially tolerant of petting on the head and cheeks, remaining tense and leaning away. After a few seconds, Thumper Tail begins hissing and hard swatting at the scratcher tool with claws several times. Interaction is ended to reduce FAS.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Kitten socialization,Uncomfortable with pick up,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Thumper Tail is an older kitten/young cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is very apprehensive of people and may escalate. 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. Thumper Tail 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. He may be uncomfortable with handling as evidence by when he bit the previous owner when they were attempting to catch and pick up Thumper Tail (see Known History above for more details).

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Adult only home due to bite/scratch history and potential to severely escalate to spitting, lunging, swatting, batting, grabbing, or biting.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Thumper Tail's behavior has significantly declined during the past 1 month in shelter. He used to show curiosity when offered treats and allowed brief petting while retreating and hissing; however, during the re-evaluation, Thumper Tail severely escalates to spitting, lunging, swatting, batting, grabbing, or biting. He was hiding in the den curled up at the back and immediately spits and swats at the door when removing the den cover. He lip licks and lunges to swat the door again, then hisses with a tense body and alert eyes. He is very quick in his movements and swats the door again when attempting to raise the den front door. When reaching close with the scratcher tool towards the den side door, he hisses and repeatedly bats at the tool with his ears flattened. When pet on the body, he hisses, grabs, and bites the tool. He swats and puts his mouth on the tool when entering from the front door and swats again when reaching close for cheek rubs. Pick up was not attempted in order to reduce stress. Thumper Tail appears to be fearful and may not have had much human interaction up to this point. During the assessment, severely escalates to spitting, lunging, swatting, batting, grabbing, or biting, so he would benefit from extra socialization. He has a bite/scratch history, is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room, does not currently tolerate petting or handling, and may require further investigation before placement in a home. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.