Animal Profile

Jack Frost 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. Jack Frost 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. What my friends at ACC say about 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. Jack Frost tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend 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 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. A volunteer writes: Jack Frost, my sad-eyed tabby, how can we convince you to come out of your shell? Found all by your lonesome on a cold city block, you've been a quiet scaredy cat since arriving at the Care Center. It's a tough place to decompress, we know. But the other day when I stopped in to the adoptions room to meet you, you engaged me with your eyes and slow blinked, showing me that you want to make friends. And when our behavior team came by, they said you accepted pettings on your head and body, a sure sign that you want to trust humans. We're all on your side, Jack Frost, and we know your person is out there--someone who understands that shy cats need a little time and space before they can open up and reveal their capacity to love.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.86 lbs

Medical Notes

12/17/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 6-8 years based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray, reported to have been found in hallway Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - tense/frozen for tasks and exam, no interest in treats offered, allows ear cleaning but remains tense 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: 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears have brown coffee ground debris AU/ thickened canals AU. 1-2mm scabbed wounds on caudal aspect of ear base AU. No nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, moderate calculus on carnassial teeth, gingival recession, halitosis-- limited exam performed 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 x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Ear mites AU Healing wounds at base of ears AU, likely from pruritis/scratching Moderate to severe dental disease Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort + behavior assessment Clean ears Apply Selarid SURGERY: Okay for surgery, recommend rechecking ears at time of surgery to see if additional cleaning is needed

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

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

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PRIOR ASSESSMENT 12/19/25 Jack Frost was tightly crouched inside the den on approach, alert with wide eyes and ears erect and forward. He slowly retreated and shrank in place but allowed petting along the head and body using the scratcher tool. He remained immobile throughout the assessment, ignored offered treats, and the assessment was ended early to reduce stress. 1/24/26 Vol. In cubby throughout interaction, facing forward hunched at first then sitting. Hissed multiple times, wide eyes when door opened. Left treats near front and on perch. Swatted at scratcher tool when offered squeeze up. Left a small amount of tuna closer to him and near the front. Did give him slow blink and blinked back first time then no reaction to subsequent blinks. 1/28/26 FB73 Jack Frost has been observed and reported to hiss, spit, swat and lunge towards staff when cleaning is attempted. When the handler approaches and opens the cubby door, Jack Frost begins hissing, spitting, and lunging towards the handler. Treats are offered with the scratcher tool, and he does not take them, swatting at the tool and continuing to hiss, spit, and lunge to the front of the cubby, pupils very dilated and body tense throughout the interaction. Interaction is ended to reduce FAS. 1/30/26 Vol. In hidey box head down, eyes open and round, watching. Put treat bowl by entry - he squirmed further back into box - lifting his head and still watching. Ignored bowl. Approached with hard treat on scratcher tool - no reaction. Let rest, no reaction. Removed tool and ended interaction. Jack Frost remained alert in the box. 1/31/26 Vol. In den throughout interaction. looks like he was curled up sleeping. Offered dry treats on scratcher tool and briefly lifted cover. Was awake or woke up and in an almost sitting position. Swatted at scratcher tool. Left treats inside den. Offered squeeze up on scratcher tool, swatted. Left felt square sprayed with Feliway near den opening.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Jack Frost should be given a slow introduction to the home, one room at a time starting in a small room like a bathroom with food, litter and water because behaviors seen at the Care Center [very fearful, avoids contact, hides in cubby] strongly suggest that he will hide if allowed. Interact with him in this room until s/he seems sufficiently confident that you feel you can introduce him to the next part of the home without running the risk that he will hide. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to help introduce your cat to the home. Jack Frost 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.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: Due to behavior observed in the shelter, no children under age 13, respectful older children only. Counselor discretion.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Jack Frost is sitting in the middle of his hidey cubby, pupils dilated and hissing as the assessor approaches. When the cubby door is opened, he hisses and spits, retreating to the back of the cubby to avoid contact. He is able to be pet on the head and cheeks with the scratcher tool but hisses and swats after a few seconds of petting, not using claws, and lightly biting at the stick. Interaction is ended to reduce FAS. Jack Frost tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend 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 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.