Animal Profile

Mystique 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 Mystique 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 Mystique is a solitary cat who is used to having her own space. She would do best in a quiet home where she can decompress and feel safe.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 12.12 lbs

Medical Notes

3/16/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~2-4 years based on dentition / condition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: OS / DOH Subjective: BARH, pink moist mm at distance prior to sedation, NATA CRT dt behavior Observed Behavior - In den - hissing / spitting / lunging /swatting with claws out, vocalizing loudly Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL (sedated) R = WNL (sedated) BCS 7/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Mild staining and calculus on caudal dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic, negative ITC ABD: Soft, nonpainful, no masses palpated U/G: Female - spayed prior, green tattoo present MSI: In kennel prior to sedation = Ambulatory x 4, full orthopedic exam not performed RFL digit IV digital pad small wound superficial with healthy granulation tissue present INT: Feces caked on hind end, no masses noted, no ectoparasites seen, blue flea collar on with underlying hypotrichosis CNS: In kennel prior to sedation = Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Dried feces as above no other external abnormalities Wood's Lamp Exam: Not performed Assessment: High FAS Mild dental disease Overconditioned RFL digit IV digital pad small wound - healing Otherwise apparently healthy FS young adult DSH Prognosis: Good Plan: SEDATED INTAKE -- dexmedetomidine 0.12mL, butorphanol 0.12mL IM @11:54 AM -- checked on P periodically --> P still sternal, lunging, and hissing --> gave 0.2mL ketamine IM @12:23PM Antisedan 0.12mL IM @12:41PM for reversal P was sternal in carrier prior to leaving exam room OK for appropriate intake tasks, flea collar removed, sanitary shave performed Schedule pyrantel in food ADD gabapentin 100mg PO BID in food TFN (start tomorrow) Paper litter only Consider routine dentistry with placement SURGERY: Surgery not indicated @tt

3/26/2026

On 03/26/26 at approximately 8:30 am, I examined Mystique 249754. She has appropriate mentation at this time with no neurologic signs present, and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at ACC.

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake the cat was hissing, growling, and striking from the carrier. Staff used a net to remove the cat from the carrier, and placed her in a den. No further handling was attempted.

Date of Intake: 3/16/2026

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

Basic Information:: Mystique is a aprox. 3-year-old, female, cat. She came to ACC via owner surrender.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 1 child

How is this cat around strangers?: She hisses, growls, swats, and bites at strangers.

How is this cat around children?: She hisses, growls, swats, and bites at children. She has previously lived with one 3-year-old child.

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

How is this cat around dogs?: No experience.

Behavior Notes: There have been no attempts to trim her nails, brush her coat, or pick her up. She struggles, hisses, growls, and swats when placed in a carrier.

Bite history:: There is a scratch history. She is reported to swat and scratch when approached quickly. On 3/16 Mystique was being placed in a carrier. She scratched the right hand of her previous owner. This left one scratch which was treated at home.

Energy level/descriptors:: Low

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: She is a independent, withdrawn, solitary, cat. She prefers contact on her own terms. She is a indoor cat. In her previous home she spent her time in the basement. She is not typically interested in play. She did not receive interactive play in her previous home. She eats dry food. She is reported to hide in fear, and swat/bite when approached quickly. In her previous home she had access to a uncovered, automatic, litterbox located in the basement. She used scented, clumping, clay, litter. There were no other cats in the home, and she could not see outside cats.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 2 Adults, 1 Child Behavior toward strangers: She hisses, growls, swats, and bites at strangers. Behavior toward children: She hisses, growls, swats, and bites at children. She has previously lived with a 3 y/o Behavior toward cats: Unknown Behavior toward dogs: Unknown Bite or Scratch history: She has scratched multiple times in the past. She is reported to swat and scratch when approached quickly. Please see potential challenges section for info on most recent incident on 3/16/26 Litter box training: Yes, in her previous home she had access to an uncovered, automatic, litterbox located in the basement. She used scented, clumping, clay, litter. Energy level/descriptors: Low Energy Level Other notes: She is an independent, withdrawn, solitary, cat. She prefers contact on her own terms. She is an indoor cat. In her previous home she spent her time in the basement. She is not typically interested in play. She did not receive interactive play in her previous home. She eats dry food. She is reported to hide in fear, and swat/bite when approached quickly. There were no other cats in the home, and she could not see outside cats. There have been no attempts to trim her nails, brush her coat, or pick her up. She struggles, hisses, growls, and swats when placed in a carrier. Upon intake the cat was hissing, growling, and striking from the carrier. Staff used a net to remove the cat from the carrier, and placed her in a den. No further handling was attempted.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 3/1726 FB06 Mystique is lying in the litter cubby with wide eyes and forward ears. As I open the door, she starts hissing and low growling. I offer her the scratcher and she turns her face and body away showing no interest. I am able to pet her head and body some as she continues to hiss, growl, lick lips and flatten her ears. Her tail is wrapped tightly around her body. 8/23/26 FB61 Lying in cat den upon approach, body and face hidden from view. She hisses when I open the kennel door to offer treats and a catnip toy so I do not push further petting at this time. Not interested in interaction. 3/26/26 FB61 We have begun a behavior modification plan called the "Fraidy Cat Club", an Operant Conditioning training method where an unpleasant stimulus is removed when a desired behavior is observed. In this case, the negative stimulus is the presence of feline behavior staff; as soon as an improvement is noted, staff will "mark" the behavior with a sweet "good boy/girl" and then leave. The idea is that the cat learns to relax because every time they do, they "operate" on the stimulus causing it to be removed. This is currently their "reward" or "motivator" since they are too nervous to accept any other forms of enrichment. In time, we hope that the cat will improve enough so then we can transition to positive reinforcement. 4/01/26 FB61 Today I tried offering a chicken heart, which Mystique did sniff while in her den and watching me with a tense expression. When she stops hissing I mark the behavior with a "good girl" and walk away. I do believe this is having a positive impact on her already, her hisses are softer today and she did not try to swat. 4/3/26 FB58 In and begins to hiss and growl, lunging at the front as I am opening the cage door, sits with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated, and ears tilted. She continues to hiss and growl and lunges as I slowly slide the enrichment cup towards the side of the den. I sit with her quietly as she whines and continues to low growl, hissing at times. He eyes remain wide and she watches me with a wary face and hunched body for some time before she begins to look around the room. At times, she turns around in the den and seems to begin to become a little more comfortable in my presence. She then begins to groom herself in front of me!! Grooming shows that she is comfortable and by the end she does poke her head out to sniff at the enrichment cup and eats a little. As I close the cage door, she does hiss a little more. 4/4/26 FB79 Inside of her den, Mystique has wide eyes and forward ears with her tail out of sight when the kennel cover was lifted; she hissed at my presence followed by some lip licking then settled down after a few second. Mark with "nice girl' and lowered the den cover.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: There is a scratch incident on 3/16/26: Owner stated that this morning they were placing Mystique in a carrier to bring her to the shelter, and she scratched his right hand and broke skin. He received one scratch, and treated the injury at home. Owner stated that Mystique has scratched several times in the past. These incidents occurred when she was approached quickly. Client stated their wife adopted the cat from a family friend a few months ago. The cat has never warmed up to the family, and regularly swipes/scratches/bites them. Client stated the last time Mystique scratched and drew blood was this morning (3/16/26). As stated about, Mystique has been noted by her previous owner to be very sensitive to quick approaches and when she is startled. Given that she was adopted from a family friend, her previous history in her initial cannot be known at this time.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: She previously lived with a 3 year old and it was reported that she hisses, growls, swats, and bites at children. Due to the reported behavior and the behavior seen in shelter and needing a longer time to warm up, the behavior team feels Mystique would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: On approach, Mystique was in her den and hidden from view - shehissed when the cage door was opened and as the den door was closed. As the den cover was removed - she she hissed, growled, and lunged to swat at the front of the den with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated and ears tilted back. When the scratcher tool is introduced, she bites at the too; and swats with both paws. As the cover is replaced, she again lunges at the front and swats as she growls. Pick up was not attempted. Mystique is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. She has tried to swat, scratch, bite, 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. She may have a known history of behavioral issues that need to be addressed.