Animal Profile

Gus is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is an under socialized adult cat and is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has warmed up minimally once being moved to the free roam room and being reunited with his sibling from his previous home Compañero (237812), and has been deemed to be BONDED and spends a majority of his time sitting and sleeping next to him. However, despite staff using treats to build a positive association he has not made significant progress in opening up to interactions with people. Due to his stress level, 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, under socialized, adult 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. Gus is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is an under socialized adult cat and is not thriving in the care center and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has warmed up minimally once being moved to the free roam room and being reunited with his sibling from his previous home Compañero (237812), and has been deemed to be BONDED and spends a majority of his time sitting and sleeping next to him. However, despite staff using treats to build a positive association he has not made significant progress in opening up to interactions with people. Due to his stress level, 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, under socialized, adult cat adjust to strangers. What my friends at ACC say about me: Gus tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. I am looking for a home with a patient person. I would do best in a home with only adult humans. I have medical needs that staff will address with you when you meet me. A volunteer writes: An outgoing and friendly, affectionate, window sill loving cat sounds pretty close to perfection to me and it's Gus. As it sometimes happens, the cat you may meet in the shelter is different from the one his previous guardians described. It's not for lack of trying on anyone's part, nor is it reflective of the cat he can be, but it does tell us that Gus is a beautifully dynamic boy who hasn't felt much like telling us about himself right now. I can't say I blame Gus as he's a senior who has been dealt a hand he couldn't have anticipated. Brought to the shelter due to having too many cats in the home, Gus has been learning about shelter life by trying to shy away from it to learn from observation. When we open his condo door, we know Gus looks like he wishes he could be anywhere else, but we'd love for you to give him a chance and bring him home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 14 lbs

Medical Notes

10/10/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 8-13 years old Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - tense, allowed handling with towel wrap 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 7/9 EENT: Eyes clear, dark brown debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Missing majority of teeth, fracture maxillary canine, marked gingivitis PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male neutered, no scrotal testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, full hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Assessment: Grade IV dental disease Fractured canine Overweight Otitis externa AU Prognosis: Fair Plan: Intake tasks Submit CBC/Chem/T4 Ear cleaning Apply selarid Recommend dental with placement Already neutered

10/11/2025

BLOODWORK RESULTS CBC: HCT 45.1 WNL (HBG 13 low, MCV 53 low, MCH 15.2 low, MCHC 28.8 low) WBC 16.6 HIGH Neut 13.712 HIGH Monocytes 0.996 HIGH BIOCHEMISTRY: Sodium 155 HIGH TP 8.5 HIGH Globulins HIGH Chol low 122 A: Neutrophilia Monocytosis Hyperglobulinemia Hypernatremia r/o reduced water intake *Bloodwork changes consistent with marked inflammatory response - suspect d/t severe dental disease *No evidence of underlying disease causing contraindication for anesthetic/sedation for dental procedure P: Recommend dental procedure once placed CTM on rounds to ensure eating well, P is at risk of hepatic lipidosis in shelter *Seek placement

10/14/2025

Brief appetite check - QAR, hunched at back of kennel, retreats farther when approached, ate most of wet food tray, no c/s/v/d noted, eupneic. PLAN: CTM while at QACC, dental procedure with placement

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake cat was panting and hissing. Staff opted not to collar or scan due to level of FAS. Once in kennel cat calmed down.

Date of Intake: 10/3/2025

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

Basic Information:: Gus is a male DSH orange tabby who was surrendered by his family due to having too many cats in the home.

Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 14 other cats

How is this cat around strangers?: Shy and timid. Will actively avoid and retreat but warms up after two or more weeks and becomes friendly, outgoing, and tolerant. Plays gently but prefers contact on his own terms.

How is this cat around children?: No experience.

How is this cat around other cats?: Friendly and outgoing, plays gently.

How is this cat around dogs?: No experience.

Behavior Notes: Has never had his nails trimmed, is unbothered when having his coat brushed and will struggle or squirm when picked up, held or placed in a carrier.

Bite history:: No bite/scratch history.

Energy level/descriptors:: Low

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: He is an affectionate and quiet indoor cat who prefers contact on his own terms. He spends most of his time in bedroom or laying by a nearby window. He plays gently and loves things that crinkle, scratching on rough rope and wood and snacking on Temptations treats. He eats both wet and dry food preferably Friskies brand and is accustomed to having access to 5 uncovered litterboxes with unscented clumping litter located in the basement, living room, bathroom or kitchen of his home.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Previously lived with: 1 adult, 14 other cats Behavior toward strangers: Shy and timid. Will actively avoid and retreat but warms up after two or more weeks and becomes friendly, outgoing, and tolerant. Plays gently but prefers contact on his own terms. Behavior toward children: No experience. Behavior toward cats: Friendly and outgoing, plays gently. Behavior toward dogs: No experience. Bite or Scratch history: No bite/scratch history. Litter box training: Gus is accustomed to having access to 5 uncovered litterboxes with unscented clumping litter located in the basement, living room, bathroom or kitchen of his home. Energy level/descriptors: Low Other notes: He is an affectionate and quiet indoor cat who prefers contact on his own terms. He spends most of his time in bedroom or laying by a nearby window. He plays gently and loves things that crinkle, scratching on rough rope and wood and snacking on Temptations treats. He eats both wet and dry food preferably Friskies brand Upon intake cat was panting and hissing. Staff opted not to collar or scan due to level of FAS. Once in kennel cat calmed down.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/16/25 Fb58 Sitting next to his den with a tense face and body, eyes wide. He tenses more when the cage door is opened and the scratcher tool is offered, sniffing it but pulling back when I try and move it closer to pet. He seems wary of touch and when I try again, he is tolerant of a few pets before slowly moving on top of his den. He then moves to the shelf and loafs tightly with his tail wrapped. 10/17/25 FB58 Again sitting next to his den, tense and eyes wide - pulls back slightly when hand is offered out to him but remain in place otherwise. I am able to pet along his head and cheek, and he leans slightly. After 30 secs, he stands and moves to jump on top of the shelf. 10/20/25 FB61 Gus was hunched underneath some furniture in the free roam room, huddled next to another cat (Bujulito). He is tolerant of petting while shifting away from the assessor and tilting his ears. He is not too found of interacting with humans, however he is always next to another cat in the free roam room and is consistently respectful of their boundaries. Gus would make a great addition to a home that already has resident cats. 10/28/25 FB06 Gus was laying under furniture with Juna and Companeros. His ears were forward, body and face tense, and wide eyes. I only spoke to him during this interaction along with the other two cats. He remained tense while I spoke to him softly. 11/4/25 FB58 Sitting next to Companero, very wary with eyes wide and dilated - he is tolerant of a dew pets on his head but hits his limit and quickly moves to flee. Does not move far from Companero however and instead is just out of reach from me. 11/10/25 FB61 Spring was in the free roam room pouncing around on some toys. Gus and Companero came out of their hiding spots with their ears forward, their head held high and their tails lowered to watch her play. All of the free roam room cats watch spring play curiously. I spent the session using the bubble gun to engage all of the cats and play therapy. Gus is tolerant of touch while retreating with a low body and tail. All cats in this room at this time are respectful of each others boundaries and seek each other out for comfort. They can be seen huddled next to each other and exploring the room together. Gus would thrive in a home environment with another feline companion. 11/17/25 FB61 Gus has been showing consistent behaviors in our care center and has not shown improvement with daily interactions or enrichment offered. For this reason, the feline behavior team is going to discontinue recording daily behavior notes in Shelter Buddy. He is still going to receive daily enrichment and we will continue to monitor their behavior. Notes will resume if we notice any changes in behavior.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Laid back

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Timid,Skittish

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Bonded pair,New home adjustment period

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Gus is laid in the back of the kennel with his paws straight, forward ears and wide dilated eyes when the assessor approaches he has no reaction when spoken to softly and lower his head to avoid eye contact when the kennel door is open. When the pointer tool is brought close to his face, he looks up, sniffs and lowers his head once again, and when pet on the top of his head, his ears tilt followed by flattening onto his head and his body tensing up when the tool is passed down and around his body. His shoulders arch in and his back furr ripples, but he tolerates petting with no further escalation/reaction. When the assessor attempted pick up Gus stop using his back feet to push off the bedding and started to squirm in their arms - when released he quickly retreated to the other side of the kennel where he curled up in the back corner. 01/06/26 FB06 As the assessor entered the free roam room, Gus was laying under furniture with his bonded companion Compañero. His face and eyes were neutral, ears were forward. Gus had no reaction to the assessor speaking softly to him. Offering the scratcher due to Compañero growling and hissing, Gus leaned forward and sniffed. He tolerated pets on the head and some along his body with the scratcher. No pick up was attempted at this time. Gus tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents.