Animal Profile

Princess Leia 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.

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. Princess Leia 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. What my friends at ACC say about me: I have been known to shower my favorite people in love! 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 do best in a home with only adult humans.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 8.5 lbs

Medical Notes

9/26/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5 years Microchip noted on Intake? Negative History: Owner Surrender; DOH-B Subjective: BAR-H, MM pink and moist Observed Behavior - Orange; At back of kennel and would not come forward. Hissing, backing away and attempting to avoid handling. Retreated into den and then lunged during injectable sedation administration; unable to safely complete intake tasks without chemical restraint. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: Weight: 8.5 lb P = 110 hr (sedated) R = 16 rr (sedated) BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: NSF PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: FI; no spay scar or green spay tattoo observed MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: -Apparently healthy Plan: -Standard intake tasks for cats performed under sedation. -Sedated with Ketamine/Dexmedetomidine/Butorphanol 0.1 mL each IM; reversed with atipamezole 0.1 ml IM. -Nails trimmed. -Start Gabapentin 100 mg PO BID indefinitely. -Continue DOH-B hold/observation. -FELV/FIV test due. SURGERY: Okay for surgery. -Collect blood for FELV/FIV test at time of surgery.

10/4/2026

Progress exam (sedated)-Decreased appetite and possible constipation History: No stools noted for last 8 days. On/off appetite. Subjective: BAR, mild dehydration (~2 years) Observed Behavior - Hissing in crate, ears pinned, no lunging. No neurologic abnormalities. Objective: P = wnl R = wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: minimal tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated. No feces noted in abdomen. U/G: intact female-no scar or tattoo seen MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: 1. Decreased appetite - suspect due to stress vs medical reason 2. No defecation while in shelter - suspect second to above Plan: 1. Sedated with DKT 0.1mL of each- minimal sedation but able to exam without any problems 2. SQ LRS 100mL 3. Cerenia 0.36mL 4. Vitamin B12 0.25mLs 5. Transdermal Mirtaz AD 6. Simabdol 0.5mL SQ 7. Gabapentin 50mg PO BID while in shelter 8. If continuing to not eat, give Midazolam IM 9. Cleared from Rabies hold SURGERY: Okay for surgery

10/5/2026

DOH release from observation On 10/05/2026 at approximately 11:47am, I examined Princess Leia 266445. She has appropriate mentation at this time with no neurologic signs present, and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at ACC.

10/14/2026

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: No obvious distention MSI: Ambulatory x 4, no notable lameness CNS: Mentation appropriate A: Appears to be suitable candidate for anesthesia, ASA status I P: Accepted for surgery - spay/neuter today Was this cat in heat, pregnant or have a pyometra? no Ventral Midline Incision Ovaries Ligated with: self-tie Uterine Body Ligated with: 3-0 Monocryl, two circumferential ligatures Abdominal Closure: 3-0 Monocryl simple continuous pattern Skin closure: 3-0 Monocryl intradermal Green Linear Tattoo Placed near Midline Surgeon: 990665 Additional Comments:

10/16/2026

Post Surgical Exam Attitude/demeanor: QAR Appetite: EATING WELL C/S/V/D: NONE Incision site: UNABLE TO SEE DUE TO HIGH FAS Pain level: Appears comfortable. Licking, chewing, or biting surgical site noted: NO Additional notes: 992299

10/18/2026

DVM Progress Exam, Brief -P is QAR, is eating some dry food (2/3) and has defecated -P appears healthy -CTM through routine shelter operations practices and allow placed monitoring log to D/C at end of days scheduled

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake the cat was minimally handled due to DOH status. Staff were able to scan for m/c. The cat walked from her carrier into her den on her own.

Date of Intake: 9/24/2026

Basic Information:: Princess Leia is a aprox. 5-year-old, female, cat. She came to ACC via owner surrender.

Previously lived with:: 4 adults, 2 children

How is this cat around strangers?: She stress meows and hides from strangers.

How is this cat around children?: She stress meows, avoids, and bites children. She has previously lived with two children, ages 17 and 9 months.

How is this cat around other cats?: No experience.

How is this cat around dogs?: No experience.

Behavior Notes: She stress meows, hisses, and bites when her nails are trimmed. She stress meows when her coat is brushed. She struggles when held. She struggles, stress meows, and hisses when placed in a carrier.

Bite history:: There is a bite history with children. Previous owner stated their 9-month-old baby was playing on the floor under her highchair and Princess Leia was playing with her cat toys close by. She stated the baby screamed out of excitement which startled Princess Leia and led her to hiss and scratch the baby on the forehead, leaving a bruise and a small scratch wound that drew blood. The client stated Princess Leia ran away imminently after the incident.

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: She is a independent cat who prefers contact on her own terms. She spends most of her time in the bedroom. She plays roughly, and will fetch small items. In her previous home she received interactive play about once a month. She likes to scratch carpet, fabric, and wood material. She loves to sleep with her people. She eats dry food. She is reported to hide in fear, scratch furniture, scratch people, and bite people. In her previous home she had access to one, uncovered, litterbox. She use scented, clumping, litter.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 4 adults, 2 children Behavior toward strangers: She stress meows and hides from strangers. Behavior toward children: She stress meows, avoids, and bites children. She has previously lived with two children, ages 17 and 9 months. Behavior toward cats: No experience. Behavior toward dogs: No experience. Bite or Scratch history: There is a bite history with children. Previous owner stated their 9-month-old baby was playing on the floor under her highchair and Princess Leia was playing with her cat toys close by. She stated the baby screamed out of excitement which startled Princess Leia and led her to hiss and scratch the baby on the forehead, leaving a bruise and a small scratch wound that drew blood. The client stated Princess Leia ran away imminently after the incident. Litter box training: In her previous home she had access to one, uncovered, litterbox. She use scented, clumping, litter. Energy level/descriptors: Medium energy level. Other notes: She is a independent cat who prefers contact on her own terms. She spends most of her time in the bedroom. She plays roughly, and will fetch small items. In her previous home she received interactive play about once a month. She likes to scratch carpet, fabric, and wood material. She loves to sleep with her people. She eats dry food. She is reported to hide in fear, scratch furniture, scratch people, and bite people. She stress meows, hisses, and bites when her nails are trimmed. She stress meows when her coat is brushed. She struggles when held. She struggles, stress meows, and hisses when placed in a carrier. Upon intake the cat was minimally handled. The cat walked from her carrier into her den on her own.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 9/29/26 FB25 Princess Leia is inside of her den. As I slide in a dish of treats toward the den opening, she can be heard low-growling and hissing. When I lift the den cover, she is crouched in a tight position with wide eyes. She has normal mentation, watching me carefully, she just appears to be fearful. I leave her with the treats to hopefully enjoy later. 10/05/26 FB47 Princess Leia is in her den upon approach. Her face and body are tense, her pupils enlarged. When I open the kennel door she begins to growl quietly and hiss. I slowly slide a tray of treats towards the den door opening using a tool. As it approaches she begins to move slightly, almost looking like she is considering fleeing. I pull the tool back once the treats are in place and close the kennel door. I speak to her softly from the other side of the glass. She relaxes slightly, no more defensive behavior, but remains tense. 10/29/26 ACFR98 Princess Leia was crouched tensely at the back of the ledge. Upon approach, she began hissing, yowling, spitting, and lip licking with her ears pinned back and her eyes dilated. She swatted twice at the long target stick with churu on it, and then backed away while continuing to growl and lip lick. No further interaction was attempted due to high FAS, although she also swatted at the stick that was used to push a tray of churu towards her on the ledge.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Please see relevant behavior flyers.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to known history and scratch that occurred with a young child, the behavior team recommends an adult only home.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 10/1/26 Princess Leia is in her den hidden from view. When a scratcher tool with squeeze up is slowly extended to the portal, she peeks her head out with fully dilated eyes and tilted ears, low grumbling. She ducks back in when the tool moves closer to nudge a tray of treats to her. Inside the den, she begins hissing repeatedly. She allows petting gently on her cheeks and a pass along her body, still grumbling loudly but not escalating further. The interaction is ended to avoid increasing fear, anxiety, and stress. 11/1/26 Princess Leia is on the high ledge in her kennel. She is curled up and sleeping upon approach, sitting up and looking at the assessor as they slowly enter. She returns slow blinks and her expression and ears are neutral as they speak softly to her. She hisses as squeeze up is placed near her and begins to low-growl. She tolerates a scratcher tool being run over her head and body, her body tense and she is lip-licking. She begins to stress vocalize and her eyes dart around the kennel as if she may flee. The assessor retreats and closes the door. She now has flattened ears and wide eyes, though after a bit, she settles and again returns slow blinks. No pick up is attempted. Princess Leia tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. 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.