Animal Profile

Winter 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. Winter is now beginning to accept treats and she has responded positively to gabapentin.

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 Winter 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. Winter is now beginning to accept treats and she has responded positively to gabapentin.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.72 lbs

Medical Notes

3/23/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~5-7 years based on dentition / condition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Subjective: Prior to sedation - BAR pink moist mm at distance, NATA CRT DT BEHAVIOR Observed Behavior - Offensive aggression in den - lunging, spitting, hissing, yowling, claws out Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL (sedated) R = WNL (sedated) BCS 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Mild gingivitis and staining, mild calculus of caudal dentition - LIMITED ORAL EXAM DT BEHAVIOR PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic, negative ITC ABD: Soft, nonpainful, no masses palpated U/G: Female - appears intact no tattoo or spay scar MSI: PRIOR TO SEDATION - Ambulatory x 4, full orthopedic exam not performed. Minimal frank blood at nail beds (self induced), no active bleeding INT: Healthy hair coat, no masses noted, no ectoparasites seen CNS: PRIOR TO SEDATION - mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Normal externally Wood's Lamp Exam: Not performed Assessment: HIGH FAS Overconditioned Mild dental disease Otherwise apparently healthy FI mature adult DSH Prognosis: Good Plan: SEDATED INTAKE Dexmedetomidine 0.11mL, butorphanol 0.11mL, and ketamine 0.12mL all given IM --> P still lunging / vocalizing after 15min Top up --> Dexmedetomidine 0.03mL, butorphanol 0.03mL, and ketamine 0.06mL all given IM. Light sedation achieved (lateral but still growling / mild movement of limbs / tense jaw), still needed to examine P in net. Reversed with 0.14mL antisedan IM - P sternal prior to leaving exam room Schedule pyrantel in food OK for appropriate intake tasks ADD Gabapentin 100mg (~22mg/kg) PO BID TFN (start tomorrow) SURGERY: Okay for surgery

3/30/2026

On 03/30/26 at approximately 7:30 am, I examined Winter 250119. She has appropriate mentation at this time with no neurologic signs present, and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at ACC.

3/31/2026

Rabies vax administered. // Completed

4/1/2026

Pre-Op Exam S/O: BAR, no c/s/v/d noted EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge noted Lungs: Eupneic, normal respiratory rate/effort ABD: Moderate distention with enlarged tubular structure palpated, region within that palpates firm - remainder palpates as soft tissue vs fluid MSI: Ambulatory x 4, no notable lameness CNS: Mentation appropriate Lat AXR: enlarged soft tissue tubular structure at caudoventral abdomen consistent with enlarged/distended uterine horns A: Suspect pregnancy vs pyometra vs other P: Spay today SURGERY: Okay for surgery

4/1/2026

Feline OVH Ventral Midline Incision - distended, dark, fluid filled uterine horns with focal region with firm contents (approx 6cm x 3cm) Ovaries Ligated with: Pedicle ties Uterine Body Ligated with: 3-0 PDS miller’s knot and 3-0 PDS surgeon's knot Abdominal Closure: 3-0 PDS simple continuous Subcutaneous Closure: 3-0 PDS simple continuous Skin Closure: 3-0 PDS intradermal, skin glue Green Linear Tattoo Placed Surgeon: 1438 Additional Comments: Smooth recovery **After waiting 30 minutes, uterine horns incised revealing copious dark fluid with abnormal fetal tissue - ro mummified/necrotic fetus

4/2/2026

[Post Surgical Exam] Attitude/demeanor: QAR, laying in den Appetite: Appears to be eating well C/S/V/D: None reported/seen Incision site: No swelling, bruising, or bleeding noticed/noted; sutures appear intact. There is some red bruising on the skin surrounding the incision area. Pain level: Appears to be comfortable Licking, chewing, or biting surgical site noted: None reported/seen Additional notes: Red bruising seen on the skin surrounding incision site, sutures appear to be still intact. Alerted DVM/rounds specialist. -992230

4/8/2026

[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

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Winter has been in the home for 4 years and is about 10 years old. For the 4 years, Winter was fine. Something triggered Winter that lead to the surrender. Client is unsure what it was. ??Lived Indoors? Previously lived with: Adults, children Behavior toward strangers: Winter was fine with visitors until the cat met the owners brother. Behavior toward children: Has lived with previous family for about 4 years and has been fine with the children. Behavior toward cats: No history. Behavior toward dogs: No history. Bite or Scratch history: Yes. On 3/20/26, Winter was smelling the toddlers shoes in the house, when the victim went to pick them up, Winter attacked him. Anyone who went near her after that she would swat hiss and attack any part of their body she could, though she only caused injuries to one person. Litter box training: No issues with litter box. Energy level/descriptors: Low energy level. Other notes: Winter allows to be pet but does not like to be picked up. Winter likes dry food and places with cat nip toys.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 3/26/26 FB61 In cat den upon approach, body and face tense. She pokes her cute head out to watch me as I use the wand toy as visual enrichment. She watches it with alert eyes and a softer expression. She hisses and retreats when I place treats and a catnip toy into her den. She is curious but scared and easily overwhelmed at this time. 4/4/26 FB79 Inside of her den, pretty lady Winter gets startled when i open the kennel door; she is perched with her paws tucked and forward ears but started to shift herself back as i spoke to her. She didn't tolerate any petting as she kept ducking and dodging the tool when i attempted petting. 04/06/26 FB61 In cat den upon approach, body neutral with her ears forward and her face relaxed. She sits upright and eats the treats offered immediately. I spend the remainder of the session clicking and rewarding each time she takes a step towards me. She eats all the treats during our clicker training session and she does not try to swat or hiss at any point during our interaction. 4/8/26 FB58 Laying outside den and at the front of the cage with a slightly tense face and body, eyes wide. I offer her some squeeze up in the cubby area and she steps forward to eat, tolerating some pets along her head and shoulders with the scratcher tool. At times she pauses to look over her shoulder with a tense body but goes back to eating when I pause.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: Please see relevant behavior flyers. Winter has displayed fearful behavior during their stay in the care center and has displayed distance-increasing behavior with extended handling. Winter also has a bite/scratch history. The behavior team does not at this time have enough information to determine what the trigger may have been, however fear aggression can occur when a cat perceives a threat and may escalate if they cannot escape. A fearful cat will feel more relaxed when given options, so provide her with the chance to move closer, investigate, or interact with you. Be sure to offer incentive such as treats or play time whenever the cat makes a small positive step.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No other cats OR multi-cat home with adopters experienced with introducing new cats,Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Winter has been repeatedly observed to escalate when she hears/sees other cats in the room during kennel cleanings. Although the behavior team cannot predict if these behaviors are shelter-specific, the behavior team is recommending that Winter goes to a home with no other cats at this time.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Before the kennel cover is lifted, Winter is heard lunging and striking the kennel door and growling. When the cover is lifted, Winter is crouched at front of the kennel with flattened ears and dilated eyes. She hisses harshly. Winter lunges forward at the scratcher tool with treats and hard swats it. The scratcher tool is held still and Winter sniffs it. After a few seconds she looks back up at the assessor and resumes growling. When the tool is moved, she hard swats again. The tool is removed and interaction ended. Winter is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and may require further investigation before placement in a home. She has tried to swat, 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. She may have a known history of behavioral issues that need to be addressed.