Animal Profile


Oreo The Goat

Hello, my name is Oreo The Goat. My animal id is #223035. I am a desexed male black cat at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 5 years 2 months old.

I came into the shelter as a agency on 3/24/2025.

Oreo The Goat 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.

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. Oreo The Goat 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. Oreo The Goat accepts attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home. A volunteer writes: There are so many ways to say hello! Some people hug, some shake hands or kiss your cheek, and others prefer a wave and a nod. None of those work for Oreo as he preferred to do a running hiss when introducing himself to me. I walked by his condo and was greeted by a decidedly unhappy Oreo who was preemptively explaining that he didn't want visitors. I don't think anyone would miss his heartfelt pleas, but sometimes the loudest voices are only working hardest to be heard and there's a lot more to Oreo than meets the eye. Before being brought to us, Oreo was a well known affectionate and extraordinarily playful sweetheart. Even though first impressions at the shelter may not be his thing at the moment, he's hoping for another chance to show everyone all he has to offer.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 14.6 lbs

3/28/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: approx 3-7 years based on dentition and conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: agency Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - timid, needed towel but allowed for handling Is there evidence of Cruelty? N Is there evidence of Neglect? N Is there evidence of Trauma? N Objective T = np P = wnl R = wnl BCS 7/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: mild wear and staining to visible dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI, two scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment Overweight Prognosis: good Plan: intake exam and tasks awaiting sort SURGERY: Okay for surgery: Y

3/31/2025

Pre-Op Exam Subjective: BAR, no coughing/sneezing/vomiting/diarrhea Objective: Eyes: Clear bilaterally, no discharge Nasal Cavity: No nasal discharge. Lungs: Eupneic Musculoskeletal: Ambulatory x 4 with no appreciable lameness. BCS = 7/9 Neuro: Appropriate mentation. Assessment: Clinically healthy Plan: -Okay for surgery

3/31/2025

Cat Neuter Was this cat a Cryptorchid? No Routine Feline Neuter Self tie of spermatic cord Surgeon: 1658 Additional Note: Green linear tattoo placed on ventrum

4/1/2025

[Post Surgical Exam] Attitude/demeanor: [BAR] Appetite: [eating well] C/S/V/D: [none] Incision site: [no swelling, bruising, or bleeding; sutures appear intact] Pain level: [appears comfortable] Licking, chewing, or biting surgical site noted: [no] Additional notes: [add any unusual notes here and notify VET or LVT if concerns present]

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Upon intake, minimal handling was done.

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

Basic Information:: Oreo is an approx. 5 year old DSH cat.

Previously lived with:: Adults, 1 child, 1 dog

How is this cat around strangers?: When around strangers, Oreo will initially hide but warms up before 2 weeks. He prefers contact on his own terms but can be friendly.

How is this cat around children?: When around children, Oreo hides initially, stress meows, and is tolerant.

How is this cat around other cats?: When around other cats, Oreo will stress meow, growl, and swat.

How is this cat around dogs?: Oreo has no experience with dogs.

Behavior Notes: Oreo enjoys when his coat is brushed. He will stress meow when being placed in a carrier and he is unbothered when he is held. Oreo would scratch furniture, meowed a lot, disliked cats and dogs.

Bite history:: No bite history.

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: No reported medical issues.

For a New Family to Know: Oreo was described as affectionate, very playful, talkative, couch potato, and a lap cat. He has only access to indoors and would spend most of his time in the living room. Oreo likes to chase and pounce on toys, chase bugs, and play with things that crinkle. Oreo would get interactive playtime twice a day, multiple times a month. Oreo enjoys scratching surfaces such as cardboard and rough rope, horizontal and vertical surfaces. Previous owner stated that Oreo is very active and affectionate. Oreo would eat Friskies wet and dry food. Oreo has 1 litterbox in the hallway which had a plastic liner and unscented litter. Oreo has a history of spraying anywhere in the home.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Cat Previously lived with: Adults, 1 child, 1 dog Behavior toward strangers: When around strangers, Oreo will initially hide but warms up before 2 weeks. He prefers contact on his own terms but can be friendly. Behavior toward children: Oreo hides initially, stress meows, and is tolerant. Behavior toward cats: Oreo will stress meow, growl, and swat. Behavior toward dogs: No concerns reported Bite or Scratch history: None Litter box training: Oreo has 1 litterbox in the hallway which had a plastic liner and unscented litter. Oreo has a history of spraying anywhere in the home. Energy level/descriptors: High Energy Level Other notes: Oreo was described as affectionate, very playful, talkative, couch potato, and a lap cat. He has only access to indoors and would spend most of his time in the living room. Oreo likes to chase and pounce on toys, chase bugs, and play with things that crinkle. Oreo would get interactive playtime twice a day, multiple times a month. Oreo enjoys scratching surfaces such as cardboard and rough rope, horizontal and vertical surfaces. Previous owner stated that Oreo is very active and affectionate. Oreo would eat Friskies wet and dry food. Oreo enjoys when his coat is brushed. He will stress meow when being placed in a carrier and he is unbothered when he is held. Oreo would scratch furniture, meowed a lot, disliked cats and dogs.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 4/02/25 FB61 In cat den upon approach, body tensed with eyes wide and pupils dilated. He flinches and blinks hard with each treat offered and every movement of his den/den cover so I keep hands-on interactions brief at this time. I speak to him softly and slow-blink, leaving him a piece of scent enrichment to explore later when he feels more safe. Needs time. Chonky. 4/07/25 FB61 In cat den upon approach, initially hidden from view. He remains hidden as I open the kennel door and when I lift the den cover he shoots out onto his perch with a tense body and face, tail low. He flattens his ears and hisses as I offer a catnip toy and treats… so I speak to him softly and slow-blink before ending the session there. When I check on him later I see that he’s eating the treats I left! Very skittish… but food motivated. 4/11/25 FB79 On the top part of his kennel, Oreo has his paws tucked away with a very relaxed/neutral face and body. He has no reaction when i speak to him and sniffs the tool when i bring it close. When i attempt to pet he sits up backing away from the tool as his eyes widen but he does tolerate pets on his cheeks as well as down his back with no reaction. 4/14/25 FB79 Today, Oreo displayed the same behaviors displayed in the previous enrichment note. 4/18/25 FB61 Today Oreo the Goat loved his visual enrichment session! He came right to the front of his kennel and paced back and forth, eyes focused on the fishing rod toy with his ears forward and body loose. I do not push petting today and I reward him with compliments and slow-blinks. Will continue to try and build positive associations and confidence using play therapy. 4/22/25 FB61 We focused on visual enrichment again. Oreo the Goat watched the pole type toy from his vertical cubby with his ears forward and his head moving back and forth to watch the toy. He does not hiss or focus on me. I reward with treats. He does hiss and swat when I approach the kennel and when I check on him later I see the treats have bene eaten. 4/30/25 FB58 Sitting at the front of the cage and eating his wet food as I approach before he jumps up onto the shelf. I put squeeze up at the front of the shelf through the food slot and he slowly moves forward to eat some, watching me at times. I click to mark each time he eats and when he steps back and allows me to place more squeeze up down. After I open the cubby door and lightly toss some dry treats into the main cubby area and after a moment, he jumps down to eat them as well. 5/02/25 FB61 In cat den upon approach, body and face initially hidden from view. He pokes his head out to sniff his catnip toy and he freezes and focuses on me when he notices me in the room. I use the bubble gun as some visual enrichment and I leave him some treats through his portal door. He remains too focused on me to eat the treats or engage with play but when I check on him later the treats have been eaten and he is playing! Likes play therapy. GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Energetic

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Sweet,People oriented,Curious,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavior flyer for more information. 5/13/25 Oreo The Goat has begun to show interest in interactions, pets with the scratcher tool, and socializations/clicker training with treats. He has even allowed the behavior team to pet him along his head and shoulders as he eats squeeze up.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Single-pet home,Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Adult only home with no other cats due to reported and observed fearful and defensive behaviors.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 3/10/25 Oreo The Goat was lying in his cat den as the assessor approached, body and face tense and pupils dilated. Oreo avoided eye contact when spoken to and he remained hidden as the kennel door opened. Oreo tolerated petting along his head and body from within his den while shifting further into the corner of his den to prevent further interaction. Oreo did not escalate further. Pick up was not attempted at this time to reduce stress. 4/10/25 FB61 Although tolerant initially, Oreo The Goat no longer allows petting or attention. Oreo was hunched on his perch as the assessor approached, body and face tense and pupils dilated. Oreo made eye contact when spoken to and he hissed and swatted at the assessor before the kennel door was even opened. He did it two more times and he continued to do so until the assessor was out of his line of sight. 5/13/25 FB58 On approach, Oreo The Goat is at the front of his cage with a neutral face and body, and follows the assessor over towards the cubby where he allows them to open the cubby door without issue. They begin to offer him treats once by one and he leans forward to eat them (the assessor clicker trains to mark him interacting appropriately). He sniffs the scratcher tool offered and ducks his head to rub along the tool on his own, continuing to accept pets and head and cheek scratches from the assessor with the tool with a neutral face and body, ears forward. When pet along his shoulders and back with the tool he even arches up into the touch slightly. The assessor then offers him squeeze up and he eats directly from the tube as well as when it is place down. As he eats, he allows the assessor to pet along the back of his head and back with their hand without issue. Pick up is not attempted. Oreo The Goat accepts attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.