Animal Profile

Whiskers has been placed on the at-risk list for medical reasons. He is and elderly cat with multiple issues, but his lack of appetite and unwillingness to accept supportive care due to fear and anxiety concerns us the most. He needs care and attention that we cannot provide.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Whiskers has been placed on the at-risk list for medical reasons. He is and elderly cat with multiple issues, but his lack of appetite and unwillingness to accept supportive care due to fear and anxiety concerns us the most. He needs care and attention that we cannot provide. What my friends at ACC say about me: I can go home today! I have medical needs that staff will address with you when you meet me. I am a shy, sweet, older gentleman, looking for the perfect forever home! I am a cat that is in need of a lap! I can't wait to be your new lap cat. Cheek and chin scratches make me so happy! 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 do best in a home without very tiny humans, although I could be open to older human children once I meet them. A volunteer writes: Whiskers has the most adorable little ears. Small but mighty, he uses them to listen closely for any gentleness and kindness coming his way. Then, with his big heart ready, he sits and waits. Whiskers had a home for his whole 12 years and was brought to us when his family could no longer care for him. We're here now to help Whiskers find his forever one and have welcomed him with open arms and a readiness to meet him where he is. We can certainly sympathize with his reasons for choosing not to roll around at the front and reach his paws out like a kitten, but please believe that Whisker's waiting for the chance to do his version of that. When I peeked in his condo, I saw Whiskers loafed on top of his den. He was listening closely and patiently for an invitation to join. Once I offered him my hand, he softly leaned his whole neck into me and hopped down to get a little closer. Closing his eyes as I petted him, my heart melted and I'm sure yours will too when you come to meet this new friend.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 19 lbs

Medical Notes

5/30/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: Reported 12y, but suspect may be older 12-17y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Tense, but allows all handling for exam and tasks. Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Evidence of Neglect seen- no Evidence of Trauma seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 9/9 EENT: Eyes OU mild nuclear sclerosis with dilated pupils, OS lower lid entropion, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: adult dentition with moderate tartar and linear gingivitis PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: male neutered MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment overweight lower lid entropion-OS dental disease Prognosis: fair-pending blood work Plan: intake tasks cbc/chem/T4 to lab Recommend entropion correction post placement/adoption SURGERY: already neutered

6/17/2025

CBC/CHEM/T4 BG- 220 mg/dl r/o stress vs endocrinoathy vs other P) monitor for PU/PD consider collecting urine

6/18/2025

SO: BAR, sneezing repeatedly in kennel, but appears to be eating with a very good appetite eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-mild P: continue to monitor appetite

6/20/2025

SO: BAR, diagnosed with mild URI eent: eyes clear, clear mucoid nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated, audible congestion msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-moderate P: 150ml LRS sc SIDx5d 0.8ml cerenia sc SIDx5d ctm appetite

6/25/2025

Issue List: - geriatric with chronic conditions - URI - Anorexia QAR EENT: ocular discharge noted; IAOU H/L: eupneic U/G: MC MSI: Ambulatory x 4, dull hair coat, obese CNS: Mentation quiet - no signs of neurologic abnormalities A) geriatric with URI and anorexia x days; will not allow for supportive care prognosis guarded to poor P) reach out to NH

6/28/2025

Recheck URI S: QAR, wet food eaten O: EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal discharge noted H/L: Eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion MSI: Ambulatory x 4 CNS: Mentation appropriate/ alert A: No evidence of URI Appears to be eating P: CTM

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake, Whiskers was aloof and allowed all handling.

Spay/Neuter status: Yes

Date of Intake: 5/29/2025

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

If yes, Please elaborate:: Noted none.

Basic Information:: Whiskers is an approximately 12 y/o, male, neutered, not declawed, DSH. His most recent veterinary care is unknown. His previous owner got him from a friend when he was a kitten and surrendered him due to allergies.

Previously lived with:: 2 Adults, 1 SMB

How is this cat around strangers?: Noted to prefer contact on his terms. He warms up before two weeks and is curious.

How is this cat around children?: No experience in living with children. Noted to hide from children who visited the home.

How is this cat around other cats?: No experience.

How is this cat around dogs?: Noted to be curious about the SMB, he lived with temporarily.

Behavior Notes: Whiskers scratches the furniture. His nails have never been trimmed. He struggles/squirms when brushing his coat and when placing him in a carrier. He stress meows when picked up/held.

Bite history:: Noted none.

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

For a New Family to Know: Whiskers is described as friendly, very active, and playful. He had access to the inside of his previous home and spent most of his time in the living room. He likes things that crinkle. He scratches on carpet/fabric surfaces. He eats Friskies wet food (not pate) and any brand of dry food. He had access to one uncovered litterbox, with unscented litter, that was located in the hallway of his previous home.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Cat Previously lived with: 2 Adults, 1 SMB Behavior toward strangers: Noted to prefer contact on his terms. He warms up before two weeks and is curious. Behavior toward children: No experience in living with children. Noted to hide from children who visited the home. Behavior toward cats: No experience. Behavior toward dogs: Noted to be curious about the SMB, he lived with temporarily. Bite or Scratch history: None Litter box training: He had access to one uncovered litterbox, with unscented litter, that was located in the hallway of his previous home. Energy level/descriptors: Medium energy Other notes: Whiskers is described as friendly, very active, and playful. He had access to the inside of his previous home and spent most of his time in the living room. He likes things that crinkle. He scratches on carpet/fabric surfaces. He eats Friskies wet food (not pate) and any brand of dry food. Whiskers scratches the furniture. His nails have never been trimmed. He struggles/squirms when brushing his coat and when placing him in a carrier. He stress meows when picked up/held. Upon intake: Whiskers was aloof and allowed all handling.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 6/8/25 Vol. Resting on top of den. Looked on uneasily while supplies were removed from kennel to prepare for transfer. Grumbled a bit when the den was pulled forward and resisted climbing down. Eventually climbed down and crouched at the back of the kennel. Opened the den to see if he would go in, he peered in but didn't enter. Grumbled again when the den was slowly pushed towards him. While he was facing the back of the kennel, allowed pickup and transfer to the den without resisting. 6/10/25 Vol. Lounging in back of den. No interest in Squeeze-ups. Followed the laser with his eyes. Tolerated a few minutes of head scratches with tool. Never moved from spot. 6/13/25 Vol. Sprawled on shelf, sleeping. Head up slowly when opened door, yawning and waking up. When fully awake, he got up, turned around and sat with paws tucked against the back wall of the shelf. Allowed head scratches with tool and stretched neck for chin scratches. Approached with hand and Whiskers did not sniff or move to engage so continued with tool, giving lots of head and chin scratches. He would wait patiently for more when stopped. Gave plenty and ended interaction. 6/14/25 Vol. Mostly in loaf position facing forward in cubby when approached, spoken to & door opened. Offered dry treats on scratcher tool & left them in front of him. Allowed petting with scratcher tool. Yawned, sort of licking lips. Ignored squeeze up offered on scratcher tool. Leaned into cheek rubs & chin rubs by hand. 6/17/25 Vol. Also seemed to be under the weather, his eyes were teary and he sounded congested. Despite feeling unwell, he ate 2 Squeeze-ups from clicker and ate some tuna with gusto. Sweet old man. 6/18/25 Vol. Whiskers was lying on shelf in main kennel, sprawled out on his side. His body was loose and his eyes were squinty. He accepted squeeze up without getting up from his lying position. He allowed gentle pets on his head, and leaned into cheek and chin rubs. He is under the weather and appeared to have low energy. 6/20/25 Vol. In top cubby, big boy up against back wall, head resting on wall, sleepy, eyes and ears normal. Ignored treat bowl by cubby entry. Allowed head scratches with tool, eyes closing, stretching for chin scratches. Looks up when stopped. Gave plenty of scratches and ended interaction. 6/24/25 Vol. Looking so sad sitting in the back of his den. Gave him some Squeeze-ups and a catnip toy. He also ate up some tuna which he seemed to enjoy. Gave him lots of love and pets.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Sweet,Timid

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

Potential challenges comments:: Tensed up when reaching around his body and gently pulling him off of the den. When he climbs down and crouches down in the litter box and the assessor attempts pick up, he quickly swats and hisses. Due to his size and weight, he might feel unbalanced or uncomfortable when handled.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: No young children under 13 years old due to being uncomfortable with pick up. Counselor discretion is advised.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Whiskers is a shy, calm, and sweet cat who may be uncomfortable with pick up. He was lying down on top of the den with a neutral body and wide eyes. He ignores treats offered and allows petting on the head. He leans in for cheek rubs and looks back when stroking his body. He tenses up when reaching around his body and gently pulling him off of the den. When he climbs down and crouches down in the litter box and the assessor attempts pick up, he quickly swats and hisses. After giving him a few seconds to recover, he continues to tolerate more petting and cheek rubs. Whiskers interacts with the observer, tolerates attention and petting, but appears moderately/somewhat fearful or stressed in the shelter and he did not appear to like being picked up during the behavior evaluation. He quickly swatted and hissed when pick up was attempted. Please keep in mind there are many reasons why a cat may be uncomfortable with this type of handling and that this may not necessarily translate into a home environment. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend that 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 future home with children should be counseled in respecting the cat’s space and for the family to use care when picking him up, especially while he is still adjusting to his new home. 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.