Animal Profile

McMeow is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He 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. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. McMeow is healing from an old wound.

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 McMeow is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He 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. He would do best in a home with adopters who are willing to give him plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. McMeow is healing from an old wound. What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. A volunteer writes: McMeow was brought to us with many other cats. We don't know much about his history prior to coming to us but in our efforts to piece together his likes and dislikes, we've fallen a bit short. At least on the former because we actually have a pretty good idea about what he doesn't like. First on that list is, of course, the shelter. Hunching over to make himself tiny in his den, or at least staying very, very still so we won't even know he's there, McMeow accepts pets on his head and perfectly fluffy cheeks, but will lean away after a little while. He seems interested in the treats we offer because he'll take a break from playing statue to sniff them, but he doesn't eat them in front of us. That's ok and we'll keep trying. McMeow may not have had the same opportunities that other cats have had to make friends with people, so he's a kitty who will need some time to adjust and space to be in order to show all the sparkly sides of his dynamic personality.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 8.34 lbs

Medical Notes

2/10/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: approx 1-3 years based on dentition and conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: stray Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - timid but allowed for handling and tasks with towel 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 4.5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: mild wear and staining to dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat, abrasion with scabbing to the R side of the muzzle CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment Wound- healing to R side of muzzle Prognosis: good Plan: intake exam and tasks wound healing - no treatment needed aTT awaiting sort SURGERY: Okay for surgery: Y

2/12/2025

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: Healing wound P: Neuter SURGERY: Okay for surgery

2/12/2025

Routine Feline Neuter Single incision over midline of scrotum, sharp dissection to exteriorize each testicle Self tie of spermatic cords Green linear tattoo placed Surgeon: 1438 Additional Note: Smooth recovery

2/13/2025

[Post Surgical Exam] Attitude/demeanor: BAR Appetite: Appears to be eating well C/S/V/D: No reports Incision site: No swelling, bruising, or bleeding; sutures appear intact Pain level: Appears comfortable Licking, chewing, or biting surgical site noted: No Additional notes: None -VA 992230

2/21/2025

Start gabapentin 25 mg/kg PO BID for FAS in shelter

2/27/2025

Progress exam – URI signs noted on rounds, sneezing and congestion reported S/O: QAR, no c/s/v/d noted. Fresh food in kennel is uneaten. EENT: Eyes clear, mild mucoserous nasal discharge noted H/L: Eupneic, normal respiratory rate/effort CNS: Mentation appropriate A: URI - mild P: No treatment indicated at this time 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

3/2/2025

recheck, URI day 3 not on doxy S/O QAR, not in the den but doesn't come to the front of the kennel, hissing when approached, visual exam only, food trays don't appear very disturbed EENT: no ocular dc, mild active bilat serous nasal dc HL: eupneic MSI: amb x 4 A. URI- mild signs but questionable appetite, r/o second to FAS P. Start MF BID x 3 days CTM and recheck in 3 days

3/5/2025

Recheck URI/appetite - QAR, ate some medical feeding and some wet food, no c/s/v/d noted, no active nasal discharge. CTM and recheck URI as scheduled.

3/7/2025

Behavior team reports slight improvements since starting gabapentin. Okay to continue indefinitely.

3/9/2025

recheck URI day 10 S/O QAR, comes up to the front of kennel, no c/s/v/d, fair appetite noted, wet and dry food trays somewhat disturbed EENT: no ocular or nasal dc HL: eupneic MSI: amb x 4 A/P. URI- appears resolved aTT CTM while at QACC, no further tx needed aTT

3/10/2025

Continuing to monitor appetite. Patient BAR, skin tent WNL. Flees when exam/handling is attempted, very high FAS. Food trays appear undisturbed. Start mirtazapine to pinna q24h x 4d until 3/14, medical feeding q12h x 4d until 3/14 to minimize handling. Monitor closely

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

During intakes minimum handling was done.

KNOWN HISTORY:: McMeow was brought in from a hoarding situation with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. During intakes minimum handling was done.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 2/19/25 FB58 In his den and hidden from view - cannot be coaxed out with treats or when spoken to softly. I lift the den cover and he is sitting with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated. He is very wary of the scratcher tool when it is offered out and while tolerant of some very brief and light touch - he turns his head away quickly when touch is attempted on his head with eyes wide and dilated and lip licking. While there are no swats today, he cowers against the back of the den with a hunched and tense body and continues to appear uncomfortable with touch. 2/22/25 FB79 Sitting in the front of his kennel, McMeow has a neutral face and body with his eyes soft and a loose tail. He leans in for sniff the treats that i placed down in front of him but had no interest; he does however; allow pets on his head and cheeks as well as down his back with no reaction. I offer the treats my hand and he does lean in to sniff but again has no interest. 2/24/25 FB79 Today, McMeow was inside of his den with paws tucked and a neutral face; his eyes slightly widen when i lift the den cover and he tenses up crouching his body as he backs into the corner. He does allow pets on his head and cheeks as well as down his body as he remains very still throughout the interaction. 2/26/25 FB58 Loafed next to den with tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated. When the cage door is opened, he pulls back and away and when the tool is offered, he runs away and up onto the shelf, flinching each time touch is attempted. 3/4/25 FB61 Also a loaf today, resting next to den with dilated pupils and tail wrapped around feeties. He makes eye contact and slow-blinks when spoken to and he does not show interest in the treats offered. I spend the session blowing bubbles, which he watches curiously with a tilted head. He retreats into his den when someone enters the room. Curious and appears to enjoy visual enrichment, but still very shy around people. 3/6/25 FB79 Today, McMeow displayed the same behaviors described in the previous enrichment note. He was inside of his den with a wide eyes when i lifted the den cover for a better view. He isn't interested in any treats and has no reaction when the tool is introduced for petting as he sits with his tail wrapped around his legs. 3/10/25 FB79 Sitting in the front of his kennel when i approached, McMeow has very soft eyes and tucked away paws. He slow blinks when i speak to him softly, he leans in to sniff the treats that i placed down for him through the cubby door but doesnt feel comfortable enough to enjoy. McMeow maintained a still, tolerant body with soft eyes and forward ears until i brought my hand in closer for pets and he quickly stood retreating into his den.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: McMeow came in with 11 other cats, it is likely that he was not appropriately socialized to humans.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

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 McMeow would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: On approach, McMeow is sitting in his den with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated and ears tilted. When the assessor slowly offers the scratcher tool out to him, he tenses and pulls his head back. while initially tolerant of touch along his head (remaining tense and frozen), when the assessor moves the scratcher tool along his side, he tenses and stands on his back feet and swats with his front paws. The interaction is ended and pick up is not attempted. McMeow is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. McMeow is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He has tried to swat, 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.