Animal Profile

Maria is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is an under socialized adult and is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. She has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to her stress levels, it is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful and under socialized adult 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. Maria is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is an under socialized adult and is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. She has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to her stress levels, it is in her best interest to move out of the kennel environment and into a stable home as quickly as possible. She would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful and under socialized adult cat adjust to strangers. Meet Maria! Maria arrived at ACC after her guardian could no longer care for her, and she's been trying her best to adjust to all the changes. She's a shy, sensitive senior girl who has spent most of her life keeping to herself and was rarely socialized. In the shelter she tends to retreat to high perches or cozy cubbies, watching quietly and engaging only when she feels safe. She allows gentle petting with a slow approach, but she's still figuring out how to trust again. My Ideal Home Maria will thrive in a calm, predictable home with cat-experienced adopters who understand the needs of a fearful, under-socialized adult cat. She'll need a patient family willing to offer her time, space, and quiet companionship while she settles in. A home with safe hiding spots, soft beds, and low-pressure interactions will help her feel secure as she adjusts at her own pace. Good with Kids? No - Maria would do best in an adult-only household. Fast movements and unpredictability can be overwhelming for her, and she'll feel safest in a quiet environment with adults who can read her signals and respect her boundaries. Good with Other Pets? There is limited history. She previously lived in a multi-cat home but spent most of her time hiding from people. A slow introduction to another calm, respectful cat may be possible, but she may also prefer being the only pet while she decompresses. Overall Health Maria recently recovered from a mild upper respiratory infection and has age-related dental disease. She is eating, comfortable, and stable, and our medical team can review her care needs with you. She has a permanent spay waiver due to age.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 10 lbs

Medical Notes

10/9/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: approx 8-10 years based on dentition and conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: os Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - timid, needed towel and slow approach for exam 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 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: severe wear and staining to remaining dentition, missing upper incisors, extruded canines PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: F suspected intact MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment Dental dz- approx 3/4 Prognosis: fair Plan: intake exam and tasks awaiting sort benefit from dental with placement or adopts SURGERY: Okay for surgery: N Permanent waiver due to age

10/10/2025

It is the policy of ACC not to perform surgery on any animal over the age of 8-10 years due to the higher risks incurred in a shelter setting. The veterinarian is hereby issuing a permanent spay/neuter waiver, from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY due to the estimated age of this animal. ACC does recommend you consult with your veterinarian to determine if surgical sterilization is appropriate.

11/11/2025

Progress exam: URI noted on rounds Subjective: QAR, no C/S/V/D Objective: EYES: OU watery LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: mild clear serous discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI PLAN: Per standing orders -Under the weather, & monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline PO q24h x10days -CTM, recheck in 3 days

11/14/2025

Start gabapentin 100 mg PO BID for FAS in shelter

11/19/2025

Progress exam: URI day 7 recheck Subjective: QBAR, no C/S/V/D present, sneezing noted on log. AS:1/2 Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days

11/22/2025

Progress exam: URI day 10 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. . AS:1/2 Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed URI appears resolved PLAN: Per standing orders -Move out of iso, signage placed -CTM on daily rounds while in QACC

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of Intake: 10/3/2025

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

Previously lived with:: 2 adults

How is this cat around strangers?: Always hiding.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Maria was brought in with limited information on her behavior history in a home environment. Previously lived with: 2 adults How is this cat around strangers: Always hiding. The cat was just left to roam the basement and never socialized with the owner. Cat would always hide around people.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/11/25 FB20 Maria is in her top cubby. She has a tense face on approach, sniffs scratcher tool with dry treat. Tolerates a few pets on her cheeks, skin ripples when pet along her body. She does not take treats at this time. 10/15/25 FB58 Curled up tense at the back of her cubby with eyes wide and dilated. She sniffs the scratcher tool and tenses more, hissing after a few pets. I offer her some treats and leave her be to not stress her out too much. 10/16/25 FB79 At the top part of her kennel, Maria is tense with wide eyes and her tight around her body. She has no reaction when i speak to her or when i toss in some treats. She doesn't lean in to sniff the tool and tolerates all pets on her head and cheeks but when pet down her back her back arches high and her shoulders hunch inward as she turns quick to look at the tool. She did not escalate and had no interest in the treats offered. 10/19/25 Vol. Maria was hunched up at the far rear corner of the ledge. I placed a tray of Squeeze Up and Temptations near her, but she showed no interest in them. I petted her with the scratcher tool, which she tolerated. She looked back at the tool to see what I was doing. She did not lean in or seem to desire it. I began to hear some faint grumbling, so I ended the interaction. She is shy but calm. 10/23/25 FB58 Sitting curled tightly at the back of the shelf, remains tense when treats are offered one by one. She shows some interest but doesn't eat them. She sniffs the scratcher tool and is tolerant of some pets but hisses when pet on her lower back for too long. 10/24/25 FB79 On the top part of her kennel, Maria is perched with her paws tucked, slightly wide eyes and her ears forward when i open the kennel door. She starts to look around the room behind me and when i bring in the tool for her to sniff she does lean in to sniff but tenses up with her ears tilting and her left eye twitching. She does remain tolerant for a few head pets before she pulls away moving back when i try to pet her cheek. 10/27/25 FB79 Maria is in her kennel on the top of her kurnda bed, she has her paws tucked away as she slow blinks when i speak to her. However when i bring in the tool with treats and leave them in front of her she tenses up with an arched back and now dilated eyes without showing interest. When i bring the tool closer she quickly darts to the top part of the kennel where she perched with a tight tail and hissed at me harshly as i spoke and tried to pet. When i ran the tool down her back she had airplane ears as she turned to look at the tool and lip lick but did not escalate. GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period,Adult cat socialization

Potential challenges comments:: It was noted that Maria was just left to roam the basement and never socialized with the owner. Cat would always hide around people.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to the behavior seen in shelter and needing a longer time to warm up, the behavior team feels Maria would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Maria was crouched in the back of her kennel as the assessor approached, body and face tense with her tail wrapped tightly around herself and her eyes wide. Maria made eye contact when spoken to and she remained frozen in her place as the kennel door opened. Maria tolerated petting along her head and body with the scratcher tool while leaning away from the scratcher, tilting her ears and raising her paw as if about to flee. Pick up was not attempted at this time to reduce stress. 11/07/25 FB61 Maria displayed similar behaviors during her re-assessment. Maria tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to her 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.