Animal Profile

Harley is on the At Risk list due to behavior. He is an under socialized adult cat, is not thriving in the care center, and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, 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/decompress, and who have experience with helping a fearful/under socialized adult cat adjust to strangers. Medically, due to have bite wounds of unknown origin when Harley arrvied, he is on a six month observation quarantine.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Harley is on the At Risk list due to behavior. He is an under socialized adult cat, is not thriving in the care center, and continues to display distance-increasing behavior when approached for interactions. He has not warmed up despite staff using treats to build a positive association. Due to his stress levels, 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/decompress, and who have experience with helping a fearful/under socialized adult cat adjust to strangers. Medically, due to have bite wounds of unknown origin when Harley arrvied, he is on a six month observation quarantine. Harley is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is apprehensive of people and while showing no aggressive behaviors, he tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. Please be mindful that older cats will require more time and skill in order for them to be comfortable around people, we recommend offering high value treats and food to help build a positive association to humans. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home. Hi there! My name is Harley and I've been at the Queens ACC since March (yes, you read that right)! I arrived as a stray so the staff don't know what my life was like before coming to ACC, but I had various injuries that I'm recovering from really well. I only require a little extra paperwork to be filled out and a few extra vet visits this year because one of my injuries was likely a bite wound (now fully healed). I'm thankful for everyone at ACC taking such good care of me, but I think I'd like to find my forever home now. So what are you waiting for? Ask about me today!

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.7 lbs

Medical Notes

3/24/2025

Your newly adopted pet has bite wounds and the staff veterinarians are issuing a TEMPORARY waiver from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY. Follow up care at your regular veterinarian is recommended to ensure continued treatment through to the resolution of the issue. At the time of a full recovery you may choose to have your veterinarian perform the spay/neuter surgery, or make provisions to return the pet to ACC for sterilization.

3/24/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: approx 1-3 years based on dentition and conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: aco impound Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - hissing, swatting, needed to be sedated for exam Is there evidence of Cruelty? N Is there evidence of Neglect? N Is there evidence of Trauma? Y- bite wound Objective T = np P = wnl R = wnl BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: clean adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI, two scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, approx 1cm in diameter puncture wound to by the right temple, approx 2mm deep, minimal pocketing, approx 2-3 days old, moderate swelling surrounding the wound, superficial abrasions to the nasal planum CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment Wounds- suspected bite wound Prognosis: good Plan: intake exam and tasks sedated with 0.09mL dex (0.5mg/mL), 0.09mL torb (10mg/mL), 0.09mL ketamine (100mg/mL)- reversed w equal vol antisedan convenia 0.45mL SQ DOH-V SURGERY: Okay for surgery: N Temporary waiver due to wounds

3/31/2025

Diarrhea reported twice Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D noted Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4 NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed Diarrhea PLAN: Per standing orders -Start fortiflora 1 packet PO q24h x5days & psyllium husk PO 1/2 scoops q24h x5days -CTM, recheck on 4/5

4/10/2025

Progress exam – URI signs noted on rounds S/O: BAR, sniffling, no c/s/v/d noted, fair appetite reported (AS 2). EENT: Mild serous ocular discharge, mild serous nasal discharge noted H/L: Eupneic, normal respiratory rate/effort CNS: Mentation appropriate A: URI/conjunctivitis - mild P: Start fortiflora PO SID x 7 days Monitor in place, placed UTW sign and appetite log Recheck in 10 days +/- doxy and move to iso if URI progressing CTM while at QACC

4/13/2025

Appetite declining, scores dropped from 2 to 3. B-QAR in kennel, eupneic, no active c/s/v/d at time of exam. Plan: -Start LRS 20 ml/kg SQ q24h x 3d until 4/16 -Start cerenia 1 mg/kg SQ q24h x 3d until 4/16 -Continue fortiflora, CTM closely

4/16/2025

Recheck appetite, last day of supportive care - QAR, empty food tray/great appetite, no active nasal discharge, sneezing reported, no c/v/d. Plan: Continue fortiflora and recheck as scheduled

4/20/2025

URI recheck day 10 S/O QAR, no c/s/v/d appreciated, no ocular or nasal dc A/P URI resolved Con't to recheck as scheduled

5/14/2025

Brief recheck: QBAR, no diarrhea noted in kennel or reported on log/rounds board. Diarrhea appears resolved.

6/14/2025

Start gabapentin 100 mg PO BID for FAS in shelter

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Harley was brought in from a hoarding situation with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PRIOR ASSESSMENT 3/25/25 FB58 On approach, Harley is laying with a flat and tense face and body, head down. He sniffs the scratcher tool when it is offered out to him and tolerates pets along his head and back but remains tense and doesn't lean in. Pick up is not attempted. 3/27/25 FB32 Lying down in loaf position at front of kennel with neutral body and eyes. When spoken to and opening the door, he climbs on top of the den and to the shelf to retreat. He crouches down with a tense body and wide eyes, but calms down when offered and accepting treats. He was handled with a towel, turns his body further into the back corner, squirms the handler's arms until fully restrained, transferred into the den, and transported to the Cat Holding room. Has potential to tolerate attention, but may still attempt to avoid humans when possible. 3/28/25 FB61 Lying on perch upon approach, body and face tense. He shifts away as I open the kennel door and he flattens his ears when offered treats. He sniffs the treats and catnip toy offered but he remains too focused on me to eat them as I watch. I speak to him softly and end the session. 4/2/25 FB58 Laying at the back of his cage with a neutral face and body, he tenses when I open the cage door and jumps up onto the shelf. I place some squeeze up and dry treats in his empty tray and place it in front of him. He begins to eat and tolerates two pets on his head as he eats before he tenses and pulls back to hiss. I leave him to eat his treaties in peace. 4/7/25 FB79 On the top part of his kennel, Harley has wide eyes when i speak to him and his ears tilt when i use the tool to pet on the top of his head. He did remain tolerant and still as i pet down his back and back up to his cheeks but started to lip lick shortly after and showed no interested in the treats i placed down as he watched me with wide eyes for any other movement. 4/10/25 FB79 Today, Harley was laying in the main part of his kennel with his paws tucked and a neutral/relaxed face and body. He has no intertest when i tossed in treats and didn't react when i spoke to him or slow blinked. However when i reached in slowly he quickly stood with a mid level tail and jumped to the top part of the kennel where he perched with tilted ears and how wide eyes. He allowed pets on his head and cheeks but his eyes dilated when i reached in to pet down his back. He remained still and tolerant but tense with hunched in shoulders and a wrapped tail. 4/12/25 FB79 Today, Harley perched with his paws away a neutral face and relaxed body. No reaction when i spoke to him but started to slow blink and lean into the pets i gave on his cheeks! He remained still and tolerant today no little to no movement as i pet his head/cheeks and down his body. -GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Timid,Skittish,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: Harley came from a home with about 20+ other cats, it is likely that he was not appropriately socialized to humans. "Spirit cats" in a shelter context refer to cats who are very shy with people, preferring to live in a quiet environment and interacting with other cats rather than humans. They are often a good choice for patient, kind individuals who can create a safe and comfortable space for them to thrive. We cannot be certain whether or not Harley will warm up to socialization in shelter or in a home environment and clients should be counseled on the potential of Harley being a Spirit Cat. During the two week litter box observation period, he was reported to appropriately use the litter box and no accidents were observed.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to the behavior seen in shelter and needing a longer time to warm up, the behavior team feels Harley would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 4/24/25 Harley is a shy, timid, and independent cat whose behavior has been consistent over the past month since his initial evaluation. He was lying down curled up at the back of the kennel grooming himself upon approach. When spoken to and opening the door, crouches down and focuses on the assessor with a tense body and wide eyes. He ignores treats offered and allows petting on the head, cheeks, and body with the scratcher tool; however, he turns his head away and his back twitches. When reaching close to pet with the assessor's hand, he climbs on top of the shelf to avoid attention and crouches down with his tail wrapped tight around his body. He allows brief petting on the head and cheeks, and he remains tense when the assessor rotates his body to attempt handling. During pick up, he squirms when lifted up. After placing him back down, he retreats and hides into the cubby area. 5/23/25 Upon re-eval, Harley continues to display the same behavior as previously observed. He is willing to engage and eat treats but may hiss during petting and is tolerant but does not lean in with pets using the scratcher tool. Pick up has not been attempted. Harley is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is apprehensive of people and while showing no aggressive behaviors, he tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. Please be mindful that older cats will require more time and skill in order for them to be comfortable around people, we recommend offering high value treats and food to help build a positive association to humans. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.