Animal Profile

Florence is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and although a level 2 previously, she has now begun to deteriorate behaviorally. Florence used to solicit attention, lean in for petting and allowed pick up. Now she hisses and shows conflicted/distance increasing behaviors. 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. Florence displayed social behaviors in our care center previously and she has the potential to revert to those behaviors once she is in a more calm and secure environment.

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. Florence is on the at-risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and although a level 2 previously, she has now begun to deteriorate behaviorally. Florence used to solicit attention, lean in for petting and allowed pick up. Now she hisses and shows conflicted/distance increasing behaviors. 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. Florence displayed social behaviors in our care center previously and she has the potential to revert to those behaviors once she is in a more calm and secure environment. 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 would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. Florence appreciates attention and petting. She will likely need time to warm up to her new home. We recommend that she go to a home with some cat experience preferred or at least be well counseled in fearful cat behavior. Due to the behavior shown, she may not be a great fit for young children. 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. Florence tolerates attention and petting but may be intimidated by small children. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to her new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home. A volunteer writes: Are you looking for a kitty who's up for anything? Because that's Florence! As long as by anything you mean stretching out on a comfy blanket. Florence puts so much work into this that it's practically a full time job. She also seems to find admirable and infinite entertainment in people watching gazing out her condo door. Since we seem to have the same hobbies, I went over to say hi and Florence came barreling to the front to invite me over. Snuggling into my arms for emphasis, she's a friendly and gregarious kitty who takes great pride in hosting new friends. Circling around to point out her cubby, her toys, and treats, I was completely charmed by her efforts to include and welcome me. Florence let me know when it was time to take breaks from pets and snuggles but this is completely understandable given how much effort she exerts on lounging around.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 15.625 lbs

Medical Notes

11/10/2024

DVM Intake Estimated age: 2 years Microchip noted on Intake? Yes History: Owner surrender Subjective: BARH, no coughing/sneezing/vomiting/diarrhea Observed behavior: Hissing, swatting, spitting, growling. Sedated with 0.2 mg/kg butorphanol, 10 mcg/kg dexmedetomidine IM Evidence of cruelty seen: No Evidence of trauma seen: No Evidence of neglect seen: No Objective: P: WNL R: WNL BCS: 9/9 OP: Mucous membranes pink and moist. No dental disease. EENT: Eyes, ears, and nares clear bilaterally, no discharge noted. PLN: Small/soft/symmetrical/nonpainful CV: No murmurs or arrhythmias, pulses strong and synchronous. RESP: Eupneic, no crackles/wheezes GI: Soft, nonpainful, no palpable masses. UG: female spayed, scar noted, no discharge INT: Good hair coat, no areas of alopecia or pruritus, no ectoparasites or masses noted. MS: Ambulatory x4, no pain on palpation of epaxials NEURO: Mentation appropriate, cranial nerves intact, no deficits noted. Assessment: Obese Prognosis: Good Plan: Recommend weight loss Surgery: Spayed

1/8/2025

Start gabapentin 20 mg/kg PO BID for FAS in shelter (dosed for lean body weight).

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake, Florence walked into her den on her own, once inside she began to low growl and did so until she was placed into her kennel. Did minimal handling due to her body language.

Spay/Neuter status: Yes

Date of Intake: 11/8/2024

Is this cat having litter box issues?: Yes

If yes, Please elaborate:: noted to have litterbox accidents if left alone too long. Urinates on furniture, defecates outside the box on her bed and previous owner's bed. Litterbox issues began in the last 2 years. Litterbox was scooped every 2-3 days, 1 litterbox, only cat in the home. The litterbox is located in the bedroom, it is quiet and accessible. Was not seen by a vet for this particular issue. Modifications have been attempted; changing litter type, cleaning the entire box, scooping more often, moving litterbox, and blocking areas that were soiled. The previous owner thought it was Florence's way of showing discontent with being left alone and not cleaning the room.

Basic Information:: Florence is a 8 y/o female spayed cat. She was adopted from ACC and spent 2 years with the previous family. She was surrendered due to moving out of state.

Previously lived with:: Adults

How is this cat around strangers?: will hide initially, is shy and timid but will warm up before two weeks. Will play gently with visitors.

Behavior Notes: growls when nails are trimmed, struggles or squirms when picked up/held and when placed into a carrier. Enjoys being brushed and picked up/held. Plays roughly. Will nip and swat if pet too long. Has litterbox accidents.

Bite history:: has bitten in the past when playing. The previous family felt it was due to getting too into the game and not realizing it is only a game. The bites have broken skin.

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: Yes

Medical Notes: on urinary SO

For a New Family to Know: Florence is known as friendly and affectionate. She is a lazy couch potato who also prefers contact on her own terms. She is an indoor cat who spends most of her time in the bedroom. She plays gently at first, but becomes rough over time. She gets interactive play time once a day. She enjoys scratching on carpet/fabric, cardboard- vertical or horizontally oriented. The previous family's favorite thing about Florence is that she has a floofy belly. She enjoys both wet and dry foods, she was prescribed urinary SO. Her favorite treat is cat soups. She is used to having 1 litterbox in the home that is covered. She uses both unscented or scented clumping sand.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Previously lived with: Adults Behavior toward strangers: will hide initially, is shy and timid but will warm up before two weeks. Will play gently with visitors. Behavior toward children: Unknown. Behavior toward cats: Unknown. Behavior toward dogs: Unknown. Bite or Scratch history: Bitten in the past when playing. The previous family felt it was due to getting too into the game and not realizing it is only a game. The bites have broken skin. Litter box training: She is used to having 1 litterbox in the home that is covered. She uses both unscented or scented clumping sand. noted to have litterbox accidents if left alone too long. Urinates on furniture, defecates outside the box on her bed and previous owner's bed. Litterbox issues began in the last 2 years. Litterbox was scooped every 2-3 days, 1 litterbox, only cat in the home. The litterbox is located in the bedroom, it is quiet and accessible. Was not seen by a vet for this particular issue. Modifications have been attempted; changing litter type, cleaning the entire box, scooping more often, moving litterbox, and blocking areas that were soiled. The previous owner thought it was Florence's way of showing discontent with being left alone and not cleaning the room. Energy level/descriptors: Medium Other notes: Florence is known as friendly and affectionate. She is a lazy couch potato who also prefers contact on her own terms. She is an indoor cat who spends most of her time in the bedroom. She plays gently at first, but becomes rough over time. She gets interactive play time once a day. She enjoys scratching on carpet/fabric, cardboard- vertical or horizontally oriented. The previous family's favorite thing about Florence is that she has a floofy belly. She enjoys both wet and dry foods, she was prescribed urinary SO. Her favorite treat is cat soups. growls when nails are trimmed, struggles or squirms when picked up/held and when placed into a carrier. Enjoys being brushed and picked up/held. Plays roughly. Will nip and swat if pet too long. Has litterbox accidents. Upon intake, Florence walked into her den on her own, once inside she began to low growl and did so until she was placed into her kennel. Did minimal handling due to her body language.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 11/13/24 FB1261 In cat den upon approach, initially completely hidden from view. She pokes her head out immediately when offered a treat and I click and reward each time she takes a step further towards the front of her kennel. When I try to pet her she retreats immediately. Florence's ears were forward for the duration of the assessment. 11/15/24 FB79 Inside of her den, Florence starts to vocalize and low meow when she hears me open the kennel door and speak to her softly. She peaks her head out when i toss some treats near her den opening and starts to scan the room behind me as her eyes slightly dilate. Florence accepts pets on her head and cheeks as she enjoys some treats as well as slowly takes a few more steps out to get some more treats but gets spooked by the sounds of people talking and quickly ducks back into the den. 11/18/24 FB1261 Crouched on top of perch, body tense, ears forward and face neutral. She sniffs each treat offered and takes some steps towards the front of the kennel, however she remains hyper-fixated on the room behind the assessor and pauses often to look past the treats that she's sniffing. When I attempt petting she leans away and begins to growl. I am unable to clicker train today, but after I close the kennel door and once the room was more quiet she begins to eat her treaties. I speak to her softly and slow-blink before ending the session. 11/21/24 FB58 Laying at the front of the cage with a neutral face and body. She sniffs my hand and accepts some pets before she turns and looks at my hand. I offer her some dry treats which she eats, and she allows a few more pets before she begins to grumble as she eats the treats after turning to look at my hand again. Continuing to show signs of overstimulation. 11/26/24 FB26 At the front of the cage and on top the den with a curious face and neutral body, ears forward. She sniffs the hand offered out to her and accepts pets on her head and cheeks as she leans into the touch. She allows these pets for an extended period and accepts pets along her back as she eats treats.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Mellow

VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty

CHARACTER TYPE: : Social,Shy ,Sweet,Affectionate,Playful,People oriented,Curious,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Inappropriate elimination,Overstimulation,Rough play,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Florence’s previous owners report that she was eliminating outside the litter box. We advise potential adopters to be aware that this behavior may continue in a home environment, and that they be comfortable with management and modification techniques for this behavioral challenge. Previous owner reported that Florence has bitten in the past when playing; she might have a tendency to play rough and or get over stimulated. We recommend adopters who are familiar with signs of behavioral arousal and agitation in cats, so that interactions can be ended before Florence becomes overstimulated. We also recommend fishing pole-type toys for play as they allow for interaction and vigorous, stimulating exercise while keeping human hands at a distance. Please see behavior flyer for more details. 12/3/24 Florence's threshold for petting and interactions has increased significantly as she has acclimated to the shelter environment. Previously, after a few pets on her head or cheeks she would be slightly tense and when pet along her back she would turn to watch the assessor's hand. Now, she solicits attention and will head bunt and rub her cheek along the assessor's hand, as well as accept pets along her back with her tail mid-level or high. 1/4/25 FB79 Florence has been noted to become overstimulated when pet while still displaying friendly behaviors upon approach.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: The behavior team recommends Florence goes to a adult only home due to the behavior displayed in shelter.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 11/11/24 Inside of her den out of sight, Florence has wide/dilated eyes when the assessor lifted the den cover to get a better view; she backs away towards the corner while wrapping her tail around her legs and lip licking when she was spoken to softly. Florence showed no interest in treats that were tossed in the den with her and low hissed when the scratcher tool was slowly introduced in the den in attempt to make contact. Sniffing the tool but ducking and backing away from it, Florence very briefly tolerates pets on her head before she once again begins to lip lick. She tolerated pets on her body but hissed when the tool was brought back up towards her head in attempt to pet once more. Pick up was not attempted to limit FAS. 12/3/24 Upon re-eval, Florence is in her den and vocalizes from inside when she sees the assessor open the cage door. She pokes her head out purring with ears forward and a neutral face and body, coming out fully with her tail raised. She sniffs the hand offered and accepts all pets as she leans into the touch and eats the treats offered to her. She is tolerant of being lifted and placed back down, vocalizing but not escalating. 1/5/25 During re-evaluation, Florence was inside of her litter where she stood with a high tail and poked her head through the cubby door vocalizing and slow blinking at the assessor when they approach and speak to her softly. She very briefly allows pets on her head and cheeks before she becomes tense and hisses when being pet on her cheek and proceeds to hiss and raise her paw/attempt to swat when the assessor pets on her cheek and up her back. Florence does not escalate but does low growl/grumble when lightly pet once again. She enjoys treats and pick up was not attempted at this time. Florence tolerates attention and petting but may be intimidated by small children. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to her new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.