Animal Profile
Bella
Hello, my name is Bella. My animal id is #135571. I am a desexed female gray cat at the . The shelter thinks I am about 3 years 10 months 2 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 8/26/2022, with the surrender reason stated as person circumstance- no time for animal.
Reserved
Someone has already placed a deposit on me. I'm no longer available.
Bella is on the emergency placement 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 their stress levels, it is in his 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 him/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. Bella is on the emergency placement list due to her 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 their stress levels, it is in his 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 him/her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who has experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. A volunteer writes: Bella is a beautiful and shy kitty, whose trust you must take the time to earn. Since that cannot be done in an hour or so people spend at the shelter, Bella has been with us for a while. If you give her a chance and you are an especially gentle person, however, you will get a sense of who she really is. We were told that Bella was uncannily attuned to her previous owner's emotions. She is waiting for a kindred spirit whose emotional life matches her own. If you listen intently, can you hear Bella calling you? I can go home today! What my friends at ACC say about me: I lived with children in my previous home. I have been known to shower my favorite people in love! I am finding the shelter a little overwhelming, but when it's just you and me and some peace and quiet you'll see what a love bug I am. 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 do best in a home without very tiny humans, although I could be open to older human children once I meet them. I prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets. Please check here for updated adoption hours.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 14.6 lbs
8/26/2022
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3-4 years based on dentition and periodontal disease, c/w owner report Microchip noted on Intake? NO History: Owner surrender Subjective: Observed Behavior -Upon opening the carrier, patient was hissing and actively swatting/growling. Sedation required for examination Evidence of Cruelty seen - NO Evidence of Trauma seen - NO Objective (following sedation) T = N/A P = 120 bpm R = 18 bpm BCS = 8/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: MM pink and moist, CRT < 2 seconds. Mild periodontal disease/dental tartar present (1/4) PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Spayed female, spay scar present MSI: Ambulatory x 4 (prior to sedation), skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities (prior to sedation) Rectal: Externally wnl Assessment Spayed female Obese Periodontal disease (1/4) Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks performed Awaiting behavioral assessment SEDATED: 0.15 mL dexmedetomidine, 0.15 mL ketamine, and 0.15 mL butorphanol IM Reversed with 0.15 mL antisedan IM
9/13/2022
S: Reported sniffling on white board today. BAR in kennel, eating well. O: EENT: Mild serous ocular/nasal discharge with frequent sneezing observed H/L: Eupneic MSI: Unremarkable A: URI P: Treat in place, fortiflora SID x 7 days
9/20/2022
Hx: has had URI BAR H eating eent- no nasal or ocular discharge; no sneezing msi- amb x 4 A) No URI-like signs P) Placement
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 4. Orange
Bella was very nervous during intake - she had a low tense body, and wide dilated eyes. She was uninterested in treats. When approached in the carrier, she retreated - burying her face in the linens. She maintained this posture throughout intake. No further handling occurred.
Is this cat having litter box issues?: No
Basic Information:: Bella is an approximately 2-year-old spayed, female, gray and white DSH cat.
Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 1 child (14 y/o)
How is this cat around strangers?: Bella is reported to be shy for anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Previous owner states that this is due to her being an indoor only cat not exposed to many strangers. Plays gently with adults, but will try to play a little rough with hands.
How is this cat around children?: Bella lived with a 14-year-old child and was reported to be affectionate with them. Plays gently with children.
How is this cat around other cats?: Bella is reported to not have spent time with other cats.
How is this cat around dogs?: Bella is reported to not have spent time with dogs.
Behavior Notes: Bella is reported to scratch furniture around the home, specifically the couch. She will hide in fear around the home. When riding in the car Bella is fearful and will hide, but is still curious. Bella struggles when trying to be bathed. Bella will struggle, swat, and attempt to bite when trying to trim her nails. She isn't bothered when brushing her coat. When picked up and held, Bella will struggle and will not allow it for more than a few minutes. When being put in a carrier, she will struggle and try to bite. Bella isn't bothered when disturbed while sleeping/resting.
Bite history:: No reported bite history.
Energy level/descriptors:: Medium
Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No
Medical Notes: Previous owner stated that they have not taken Bella to the vet since before early 2020.
For a New Family to Know: Bella is described as a shy, independent, fearful, and quiet cat. Her previous owner's favorite thing about Bella is that Bella always seemed very aware of her owner's emotions. Bella's favorite thing to do is play hide and seek with her previous owner. When you're home, Bella will be in her favorite spot, and rarely seek attention. Bella enjoys playing with string. Bella has been kept only indoors. She eats both wet and dry food either Meow Mix or Purina (green bag) brand, roughly 1 cup a day. Bella is reported to be litterbox trained with a hooded litterbox and Fresh Step clumping litter. Bella does scratch on furniture, and had a rope scratching post she did not use.
KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor cat Previously lived with: 1 adult, a child (14 y/o) Behavior toward strangers: Shy for anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. Plays gently with adults, but will try to play a little rough with hands. Behavior toward children: Affectionate with 14 year old. Plays gently Bite or Scratch history: None reported. Litter box training: Yes, trained. Energy level/descriptors: Medium energy level Other notes: Bella is described as a shy, independent, fearful, and quiet cat. Her previous owner's favorite thing about Bella is that Bella always seemed very aware of her owner's emotions. Bella's favorite thing to do is play hide and seek with her previous owner. When you're home, Bella will be in her favorite spot, and rarely seek attention. Bella enjoys playing with string.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 9/8/22 Resting softly on approach in the cubby. Alert with normal shape eyes. She remains wary with her surroundings and consistent with her behavior at the care center. Accepts brief pets along the head while slowly retreating. 9/9/22 In cubby, sniffed treats, allowed gentle petting and seemed to appreciate it for a little while but then gives quiet stress meows and pupils dilate and she pulled back. Ignored catnip but followed the laser. 9/13/22 May be under the weather, she was sniffly during the interaction. She doesn't show interest in treats or squeeze ups, possibly because she cannot smell them. She watches the scratcher tool and slowly leans away from it but allows gentle brief strokes on her cheeks before moving away. I respected her boundaries and kept the interaction short to reduce stress. She may just be an independent girl. 9/14/22 Lying down at back of top cubby, resting her head on her front paws. Perks up when spoken to and opening the door, sniffs treats offered. Welcomes petting on her head and squints her eyes. When reaching for cheek rubs, she steps back and sits up, becoming more alert and unsure about attention. When I reach close to pet her again, she bats the tool with medium force. She used to appreciate cheek rubs but is not in the mood today. 9/16/22 Tolerated petting especially on the head, less so farther down while lying quietly but then she tired of petting and hissed. She also sniffed treats without eating. She appeared to be relaxed until she got upset. 9/17/22 Tolerant with the interaction. Accepts pets and remains comfortable in place. Ignores offered treats. 10/31/22 Lying down at back of top cubby curled up. Sits up when removing litter box in front of her. Ignores treats offered and curiously walks forward to sniff my hand. Gently head bunts for petting and allows brief cheek rubs. Looks up and sees neighboring cat above her, so she quickly steps back, short-stress meows, and gently swats my hand but misses. She begins flicking her tail and tries to swat at me again when I slowly reach close to pet. Still conflicted about attention. 11/1/22 Standing by the front on approach. Alert with soft eyes. She head bunts and body leans against the scratcher tool. Ate offered treats and remained calm throughout the interaction. 11/3/22 Resting on the ledge. Alert with soft eyes. She head bunts the hand when petted. However, after a few strokes along the back she began to head follow and get slightly annoyed. She then got overstimulated and began to swipe the scratcher tool. Kept short to avoid any further possible escalation. Left offered treats which she went for to eat. 12/5/22 Lying down at front of bottom cubby. Allows brief petting on head and cheeks, then pulls head away. Walks out to main kennel area, accepts more attention, then short-stress meows and steps back when stroking body. Sensitive to touch on back. Consistent behavior.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Curious,Timid,Calm,Sweet
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Pet-induced aggression,Fearful,Uncomfortable with pick up,New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments:: Head bunts to solicit attention and leans in for cheek rubs but may resort to soft swat or batting when touched on her back, sides, or underbelly. During pick up in the past, she tensed up and grumbled.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Bella is a shy, calm, and curious cat whose behavior has remained consistent with her previous evaluation. She was at the back of the bottom cubby curled up with her head and ears forward, focused on the assessor with a neutral body and eyes. When spoken to and opening the door, she leans her head forward to sniff treats offered. She allows petting on her head and slightly leans in for cheek rubs. When stroking her back with the scratcher tool, she softly bats the tool away. When briefly tugging on the towel under her, she gets up and walks to the front. Bella continues to welcome petting on her head and takes one step out of the cubby. When the assessor reaches around her to attempt pick up, she quickly steps back, short stress meows, lip licks, retreats to the main kennel area, and jumps on the shelf. Bella tolerates more petting at the front but then pulls her head back and tilts her ears, no longer interested in petting. Bella interacts with the observer, tolerates attention and petting, but appears moderately/somewhat fearful or stressed in the shelter and she did not appear to like being picked up during the previous behavior evaluation. She grumbled when pick up was attempted. Please keep in mind there are many reasons why a cat may be uncomfortable with this type of handling and that this may not necessarily translate into a home environment. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to her new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, she may not be a great fit for young children. Any future home with children should be counseled in respecting the cat’s space and for the family to use care when picking her up, especially while she is still adjusting to her new home. 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.