Animal Profile

Michael 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. 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 Michael 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. A volunteer writes: Michael was abandoned in a pop-up crate outside someone's home and though that's all we know about his life before, Michael wants us to know he's more than that or at least he'd really like the chance to be. Michael was hopping all around his condo when I visited, seemingly excited at the prospect of a visitor but not entirely sure how to entertain one. I assured he'll win the most friends just by being himself and it was more than fine by me if he needed a few extra moments to get ready. I sat by his kennel and read to him as he did and though Michael looked like he was still trying to find a place for himself, he eventually decided his place was leaning into my arms. Theatrically stretching himself out and affectionately looking up, Michael has so much love to share. He's only waiting for someone to give him a little extra moment to get himself together and be the best little kitty he can be.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 10 lbs

Medical Notes

4/5/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~1-3 years based on dentition / condition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: DOH, Stray Subjective: BARH, pink moist mm, NATA CRT dt behavior Observed Behavior - Nervous and hissing but tolerated exam in towel Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL R = WNL BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Mild staining of dentition with mild gingivitis PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2s, Lungs clear, eupneic, negative ITC ABD: Soft, nonpainful, no masses palpated U/G: Male - intact, two symmetrical scrotal testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, full orthopedic exam not performed INT: Healthy hair coat, no masses noted, no ectoparasites seen CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Normal externally Wood's Lamp Exam: Not performed Assessment: Mild gingivitis Apparently healthy MI young adult DSH Prognosis: Good Plan: OK for appropriate intake tasks Consider routine dentistry post placement SURGERY: Okay for surgery

4/14/2026

On 04/14/2026 Michael was examined. The patient has appropriate mentation at this time (no neurological signs present) and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at QACC.

4/15/2026

Rabies vaccine /// Done Records updated.

4/17/2026

Pre-surgical exam, anesthesia, and surgery performed by offsite vet. Medical record uploaded to Vet Documents. Green linear tattoo placed lateral to incision. Spay/Neuter - ACCEPTED

4/18/2026

[Post Surgical Exam] Attitude/demeanor: QAR 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

4/24/2026

Post Surgical Exam Attitude/demeanor: BAR Appetite: eating C/S/V/D: none Incision site: unable to view incision site. Cat is swatting and hissing Pain level: appears comfortable Licking, chewing, or biting surgical site noted: not observed Additional notes: none

4/26/2026

Behavior staff requesting behavior modification medication due to FAS. P not currently on any medications. ADD Gabapentin 100mg (~22mg/kg) PO BID TFN

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Michael was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment. Bite or Scratch history: Client found a cat in a popup create in front of her home. While trying to bring the cat in her home, the cat scratched her left hand. Upon arrival the cat was handled by being picked up and placed in a carrier without aggression.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 4/06/26 FB61 In back of kennel, body and face tense. He flinches and begins to squint his eyes when offered treats. I attempt petting him with the scratcher tool and he hisses while flattening his ears. He does not engage with the treats or the catnip toy for the duration of time I’m in the room. 4/8/26 FB58 Curled at the back of his cubby with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated, eyes wide, and tail wrapped tightly. He hisses multiple times and tenses as the cubby door is opened to place the enrichment cup. I don't push for an interaction today, and he doesn't approach the front to investigate the treats. 4/16/26 FB61 In cat den upon approach, initially hidden from view. I drop some treats into his kennel and he pokes his head out, sniffing around. Michael makes eye contact with me and hisses when spoken to and I spend a few moments speaking to him softly and slow-blinking before lowering the cage cover back down. When I check on him a few moments later, I see he is hunched in the front of his kennel and he's eating all the treats offered! He does tense and hiss when he notices me again, but he does not retreat or lunge. Will continue to build positive associations. 4/20/26 FB79 At the front of the kennel, Michael hissed when i lifted the kennel cover and had a tense body with wide eyes and airplane ears. When i start to speak to him he hissed again and started to lip lick while looking around the kennel. After a few moments i speak again and he watches me with his wide dilated eyes but remained still while continuing to lip lick. 4/23/26 FB61 Hunched in center of kennel (since his den has been removed for an unknow reason - he needs it back) with his face and body tensed and ears flattened. He hisses continuously when offered treats and a catnip toy and I keep the interaction brief to reduce stress. He eats the treats offered after I've walked out of his line of sight. 4/25/26 FB79 Perched at the front of the kennel, Michael had his paws tucked but slightly wide eyes and his ears forward when I lifted the kennel cover; he hissed but settled down quickly as I spoke and slow blinked. When I opened the cubby door he hissed again with a tilted ear and when I tossed in treats he leaned in to sniff and started to eat. I was able to pet his head with the tool as he enjoy treats but when I finished he pulled back and hissed once again. 4/27/26 FB61 Hunched on perch, body and face tense with his tail curled around his paws. Before I go up to his kennel I can hear that he is vocalizing loudly. When I check on him, he's peering through the holes in his kennel and he is vocalizing curiously at the cat in the kennel next to him, his ears forward. When I offer treats he steps forward to sniff them, his eyes alert and his face and body tense. He eats the treats offered after I close the portal door.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Laid back

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Skittish

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Adult only home due to fearfulness and avoidant behaviors displayed in shelter.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: At the top of the kennel, Michael is perched with wide dilated eyes, his ears forward and his tail wrapped; he can be heard hissing when the assessor approached and looking into the kennel. Michael continued to hiss when he was spoken to as well as when he noticed the tool in the assessors hand. Before it was brought close he reached out and struck it with force. With a tense body and arched back he quickly jumped down next to the den when petting was attempted and hissed harshly as the assessor made contact with the top of his head - he did not tolerate petting then proceeded to darting inside the den where he could still be heard hissing and low growling. Michael is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He has tried to swat / scratch / bite / is extremely fearful in the shelter environment and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.