Animal Profile

Sofritas is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She 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 cat adjust to strangers.

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. 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 Sofritas is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She 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 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. I will flourish in a calm environment and a low-traffic home. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. I would do best in a home with only adult humans. A volunteer writes: I won't say Sofritas has loved all of our efforts, but she certainly seems to enjoy watching us try. She watches our feather wands and laser pointers, looking curiously at our attempts. Maybe it makes the day a little brighter, I'm not sure. Though we know a forever home is on the horizon, home as the feeling that all of us seek still seems just beyond Sofrita's grasp. Sofrita's trying too, so this certainly isn't for lack of it, but Sofritas hasn't quite found a place to be herself and maybe she needs a little time to figure out who that is. Sofritas was brought to us from a home with other cats and things have likely felt outside her control for quite some time. Since coming to the shelter, she's decided to stay snuggled up in her den. Her quick glance up at me when I went to visit told me everything she wanted me to know at the moment. Except, I think there's a little more to Sofritas and I think she really wants a chance with you.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 6.08 lbs

Medical Notes

9/26/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1-3 years old Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR in feral den Observed Behavior - hissing, growling, and striking when approached; sedated for exam Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective: T = not performed P = WNL R = WNL BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Female intact, no spay scar or tattoo MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat, red/pink dye staining on paws, polydactyl in HLs CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Wood's Lamp Exam: Not performed Assessment: Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks Sedated with Dex/Ket/Torb 0.3mL IM - adequate sedation SURGERY: Okay for surgery

10/8/2025

Flagged by Behavior Team for high FAS (hissing, growling, swatting) Plan: Start Gabapentin 50mg (18mg/kg) PO BID x 14d

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Sofritas was brought in with limited information on her behavior history in a home environment

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PREVIOUS ASSESSMENT 09/28/25 Sofritas was lying down hiding in the den when removing the den cover, then she steps back and crouches down with her tail wrapped tight around her body and focuses on the assessor with a tense body and wide, dilated eyes. She ignores treats offered on the scratcher tool and then spits when reaching close. Her tail and back becomes pilo-erect and she begins growling. When making contact to give her chin rubs, she swats the tool with both paws and hisses. She remains tense and continues to growl when returning the den cover. Pick up was not attempted in order to reduce stress. 10/03/25 FB73 Sofritas is laying in her den, poking her head out as the kennel door is opened, low growling with very dilated pupils, ears to the side. A squeeze up is offered on the scratcher tool, which she does not take. She is tolerant of this for a few seconds before beginning to hiss, spit, lunge, and swat at the stick. Interaction is ended to reduce FAS. 10/04/25 FB73 Sofritas is laying inside of her den, peering through the portal door as I approach. She begins low growling, pupils very dilated. I attempt a feather wand and laser pointer. She watches the laser pointer from inside of her den but does not exit it. She watches the feather toy when used from outside of the kennel door, but hisses if attempting to open the door and use it in her kennel. Laser pointer is attempted again, and she does continue to observe it but does not engage further. Treats are left in the kennel and interaction is ended. 10/7/25 FB47 1st - In den. Hissed when the door was opened, then relaxed a bit and I marked. 2nd - Out of den. Hissed when the lock removed, then relaxed a bit and I marked. 3rd - Out of den. Hissed when the lock removed, then relaxed a bit and I marked. 10/08/25 FB32 1st - Hiding in den with head facing out of side door. Calm but tense upon approach. When opening the door, she hisses and focuses on me. I slow blink and turn my head to look away. When I look back at her, she looks to the side then re-focuses on my but then relaxes. I marked, closed the door, and walked away. 2nd - Hiding in the same spot. Remains calm and alert when lifting up the den cover. When I lower the den cover, the den wobbles and she hisses. I pull my hand away and then she pokes her head out and spits. I wait at the door and she calms down in about 30 seconds. I mark, close the door, and leave. *Enrichment Notes continued in GAN*

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Shy ,Timid,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: Potential to escalate to hissing, growling, spitting, swatting, or biting when reaching close or making physical contact.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to fearfulness and potential to escalate.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Sofritas is laying inside of her den, poking her head out of the portal exit quickly as the assessor approaches and opens her kennel door, body stiff and eyes wide. She ignores treats offered on the scratcher tool, low growling at it with her ears back. When attempting to pet her with the scratcher tool, Sofritas hisses and spits, swatting the tool hard. She remains tense and continues to hiss and low growl, interaction is ended to reduce FAS. Sofritas is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. She has tried to swat, scratch, 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.