Animal Profile

Benicio 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 Benicio is laying on top of his den, body and eyes relaxed as the assessor approaches. When the kennel door is opened, he quickly approaches the front of the kennel to greet the assessor, allowing and leaning into all petting and head bunting as he is pet with his tail held high but occasionally body rippling. When he attempts to push his way out of the kennel and the assessor maneuvered him back in, he begins low growling. When placed back in the kennel, he allows and leans into further petting on the head and cheeks and does not escalate. Benicio has warmed up and is displaying social behaviors in the shelter environment, allowing handling from staff and soliciting petting and attention. Due to behavioral challenges reported in the previous home and a prior bite/scratch history, the behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time. A volunteer writes: Benicio's approach to eating his treats could become the most shining element of his personality here at the shelter. Pressing his little kitty nose through the spaces on the door, he doesn't just enjoy the treats, he demands the treats. Helpfully wrapping his little paws out of his condo to explain he'd like some more, it's really more of a helpful distraction to what has otherwise been a pretty challenging stretch. Benicio doesn't love the Care Center but still talks a big game. Loafed on top of his cubby, he greeted me by stretching his paws out onto his door like he was flying before hopping right to the corner to air his grievances. Benicio doesn't always seem sure on where to start and the treats we're always bringing him have only gotten us so far when it comes to building a friendship. Benicio is hoping to find a patient and loving home where every element of his personality will be embraced as he comes out on his own time and in his own way.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.8 lbs

Medical Notes

7/25/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: Reported 3y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Hissing, spitting and striking at den door. Elected sedation to allow for decreased FAS Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: clean adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: male intact, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment apparently healthy Prognosis: good Plan: Sedated for exam and tasks using 0.1ml dexmedetomidine 500mcg/ml, 0.1ml ketamine 100mg/ml, 0.1ml butorphanol 10mg/ml IM intake tasks neuter new home SURGERY: Okay for surgery

8/15/2026

Request for gabapentin trial from feline behavior team Starting 100mg gabapentin in high value food PO BID indefinitely

8/30/2026

S: BARH - at front of kennel soliciting attention pink moist mm at distance In behavior notes, has shown improvement since starting medications O: EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge, corneas clear LUNG: Eupneic at distance MSK: Ambulatory x4 INT: Healthy haircoat at distance CNS: Appropriate mentation A/P: Continue gabapentin for FAS

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Spay/Neuter status: No

Date of Intake: 7/24/2026

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

If yes, Please elaborate:: None

Basic Information:: Benicio is a 3 year old male DSH. He is unaltered. owner is surrendering due to aggression towards them.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults.

How is this cat around strangers?: Benicio is shy and timid, he also hide initially, and her prefers contact on his own terms with strangers and visitors.

How is this cat around children?: No experiences.

How is this cat around other cats?: Around other cats, he will hiss and swat.

How is this cat around dogs?: No experiences.

Behavior Notes: Trims their nails: never done Brushes their coat: struggles or squirms/ swats Picks up or holds them: struggles and squirms Places them in a carrier: never done

Bite history:: 7/13/2026 was the last reported bite/scratch incident.

Energy level/descriptors:: low

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Previously lived with: 2 adults Behavior toward strangers: Benicio is shy and timid, he also hides initially, and he prefers contact on his own terms with strangers and visitors. Behavior toward children: No experience Behavior toward cats: Around other cats, he will hiss and swat Behavior toward dogs: No experiences Bite or Scratch history: Prior owner stated that Benicio began displaying aggression towards her fairly recently, over the last several weeks. She stated that he is friendly with other people but displays aggression towards her. She believes it is possible that the behavior may be due to him being unneutered and that she no longer feels safe with him in the home, to the point where she hasn’t been staying at home and has had her son taking care of him. The client did not give an exact date for this incident but stated that when she was on the couch, he attacked her legs unprovoked, breaking skin. She did not seek medical attention. 6/19/26: The client stated that she left the home and later on when reentering, he once again attacked her legs, scratching them and breaking skin. The wounds were self-treated. 7/13/26: The client stated that while she was walking, Benicio attacked her legs once again, swatting and cutting up her ankles. She attempted to kick out her leg to stop him. She described Benicio as “becoming wild” and described not being able to stop him, eventually being able to walk away. The scratches broke skin but she did not seek medical attention. Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: Low Other notes: Trims their nails: never done Brushes their coat: struggles or squirms/ swats Picks up or holds them: struggles and squirms Places them in a carrier: never done During intake, staff was unable to scan for MC as Benicio was experiencing high FAS. He was also growling consistently, flat ears, and lip licking, and hissing. Assistance was needed as he was not willing to go into a den by himself, admission staff member assisted with carefully dumping him into the den.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 07/31/26 FB09 Benicio was poking his head out of his den with dilated eyes and approached the front of his kennel. He sniffed the treats offered to him before eagerly licking them up. He allowed petting along his head while eating but once he finished, he began grumbling. He peered around the room while grumbling, eager to leave his kennel. The interaction was ended to prevent escalation/overstimulation. 08/15/26 FB09 Benicio was at the front of his kennel with neutral eyes and forward ears, meowing for attention. When opening the door, he leaned forward and head-bunted the handler's hand, ignoring the treats offered to him. He insistently tried to push outside of his kennel to explore, eventually getting overstimulated and hissing. The interaction was ended to reduce FAS.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Social,Affectionate,Curious

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: See relevant behavior flyers. Benicio has a prior history of behavioral challenges and a scratch history, please see known history above.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to prior scratch history and behavioral issues in his previous home, adult only home.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 7/27/26 Benicio is in his den, poking his head out with wide eyes and dilated pupils as the assessor approaches, beginning to low growl. He is softly spoken to, and treats are gently tossed into the kennel, and after a couple minutes he exits the den, body and tail held low and tense as he begins to eat the treats. When the assessor attempts to open the kennel door, Benicio quickly looks up and hisses loudly. Handler instead continues soft talk and offers a squeeze up on the scratcher tool, and Benicio comes forward to quickly eat it. When petting is attempted with the tool, Benicio will back up, lean away, and hiss/swat at the tool to avoid contact. He continues to accept treats when they are offered before walking back into the den, leaning his head out to observe the assessor and continuing to low growl. 8/27/26 Benicio is laying on top of his den, body and eyes relaxed as the assessor approaches. When the kennel door is opened, he quickly approaches the front of the kennel to greet the assessor, allowing and leaning into all petting and head bunting as he is pet with his tail held high but occasionally body rippling. When he attempts to push his way out of the kennel and the assessor maneuvered him back in, he begins low growling. When placed back in the kennel, he allows and leans into further petting on the head and cheeks and does not escalate. Benicio has warmed up and is displaying social behaviors in the shelter environment, allowing handling from staff and soliciting petting and attention. Due to behavioral challenges reported in the previous home and a prior bite/scratch history, the behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.