Animal Profile

Cantaloupe 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. Due to the detailed behavior issues, this animal is only available for foster/adoption through one of ACC's New Hope Partners. If you are interested in adopting or fostering, please fill out the pre-screener form. This animal is not directly available for adoption through ACC and is only available by completing the pre-screener form. Adoption inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Cantaloupe 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. Cantaloupe came to ACC as a stray, so we don't have much information about them outside of the Care Center. They have remained tense and anxious while with us in the center and have not allowed staff to handle her much at all. She is looking for a quiet calm environment where she can decompress and be her very best self.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 12.1 lbs

Medical Notes

12/4/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: approx 3-7 years based on dentition and conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: stray Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - needed net, growling, sedated as precaution Is there evidence of Cruelty? N Is there evidence of Neglect? N Is there evidence of Trauma? N Objective T = np P = wnl R = wnl BCS 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: moderate wear and staining to visible dentition with calculus PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: FS, green linear tattoo MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment Dental dz approx 2/4 Prognosis: good Plan: intake exam and tasks sedated for intake with 0.12mL dex/torb/ket IM- adequate sedation achieved reversed with equal vol antisedan IM awaiting sort SURGERY: Prior altered

12/7/2025

Feline beh req gaba for trial, starting on gaba 100mg PO BID

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Cantaloupe was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on her behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 12/7/25 FB06 Cantaloupe was crouched down at the front of the kennel as I lifted the cage cover. Her eyes were wide, body tense and ears forward. She hisses, lunges and swats the glass. As she backs away, I open the kennel door just a crack to fit the scratcher in with squeeze up on it. As it approaches her, she swats it. I left there for a few moments and she didn't swat anymore. She sniffed at it from afar. I wiped the treat in a little pile and removed the scratcher. I spoke to her softly through the kennel door. She had no other interest in the treat. She just remained in a crouched position with wide eyes as I spoke to her. 12/09/25 FB06 Laying loaf alongside her den, ears are forward, eyes are wide. I slowly open the kennel door enough to fit the scratcher in. I placed treats on the end and slowly moved it towards her. She leans forward and sniffs them. I dumped them into a pile in front of her and she sniffed again. As she was eating the crunchy treats I attempted to pet her with the scratcher. She backed away slightly and hissed. I closed the door and leaned over to get her an enrichment treat from the cart, she hissed, lunged and swatted. I reopened the door and placed the treat in front of her using the scratcher. She leaned and sniffed the catnip and treat filled tube. I attempted petting again with the scratcher, this time she was tolerant of head pets. I left the cage cover up for the remaining time I was in the room as she laid there just watching out the window on the door of the room. 12/11/25 FB20 As den cover is slowly lifted, Cantaloupe hisses and swats the door hard, spitting. She hard stares with dilated eyes and airplane ears. I slow blink at her and when she stops hissing, cover her again. 12/14/25 FB06 Spending extra time with Cantaloupe today, some progress was made. As the cage cover is lifted, she has wide eyes, forward ears laying loaf and hissing. As I move close to the kennel she lunges and swats the glass. She is very treat motivated so using the scratcher, I place a few treats in the kennel. She moves forward to eat them and I am able to pet her with the scratcher. When she finishes the treats, she looks up staring at my hand while still petting with the scratcher. As I move the scratcher to her cheek, she eventually leans in enjoying it. When i attempt to pet her back, she backs away alongside her den, hisses and swats the scratcher. We did this a few times with the treats until other people entered the room. With a quiet place and time, I think this young lady will make a turn around. 12/16/25 FB06 Cantaloupe displays the same behaviors as previously. She is crunchy treat motivated and while eating treats, she will tolerate head scratchers with the scratcher.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period,Adult cat socialization

Potential challenges comments:: Cantaloupe is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. She is very apprehensive of people; she hisses, lunges, and swats. It is difficult to predict if she will respond to socialization and we are unsure if she will thrive in a human home environment. We recommend all attempts to socialize this cat before placing her into a human home, however please be mindful that older cats will require more time and skill in order for them to be comfortable around people. Please speak to an adoption counselor to learn more about socialization techniques.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Cantaloupe is loafing at the front of the kennel with tilted back ears and dilated eyes. She softly hisses when she sees the assessor, and when the door is opened, she lunges forward, spitting as she strikes the door. She lays back down and watches carefully as assessor uses scratcher tool to drop dry treats in front of her. Cantaloupe sniffs the tool and then begins eating the treats. After a few passes of the tool on her cheeks, she hisses and bats with intensity at the tool, claws extended, pulling it towards her. The tool is removed and Cantaloupe resumes eating her treats. The interaction is ended to prevent further escalation and to not increase her stress. Cantaloupe 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 and scratch, 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.