Animal Profile

Milkway 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. 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, 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 Milkway 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. 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, and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. A volunteer writes: Milkway has had a bit of a go of it recently, but he's trying and is really hoping for a fresh start. It can be hard for some cats to find their stride at the Care Center, so we do what we can to support them along the way. Adding blankets and hiding spots, treats and offers of pets in hopes they'll find something they like, partake in, and enjoy. Milkway has taken us up on the hiding spots, but hasn't much felt like coming forward to say hello. This means I can't say as I'd much as I'd like to about the glittering love he has to share. That's ok because I know that feeling safe and comfortable is paramount and sometimes it can be kind of evasive, especially when we don't know what's happening next. I've explained to Milkway that his family is out there and we're going to be helping him find the best blankets to hide in until you come in to meet him.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 10.3 lbs

Medical Notes

10/3/2024

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2y Microchip noted on Intake? No History: Stray Subjective: BARH. No csvd Observed Behavior - Very nervous, will flee. Had to be netted Is there evidence of Cruelty? no Is there evidence of Neglect? no Is there evidence of Trauma? no Objective P = wnl R = wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean- left ear tip, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: not performed due to temperament PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MN, no discharge MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal externally Assessment APH Prognosis: good Plan: no tx needed

10/6/2024

Beh req meds for FAS, starting on gaba 1mL PO BID x 14 days. To follow up with beh in 2 weeks

10/22/2024

S: QAR hiding in back cage O: EENT: no ocular or nasal discharge noted Oral Exam: not examined H/L: not examined Abd: diarrhea in litter box MSI: not rewieghed Mentation: no abnormal mentation A: fair - diarrhea, not eating all of food, unsure if cat is eating meds P: ? not sure what the plan is, cat is not doing well in shelter Gaba 100 PO SID Is the Initial Medical Status being Changed? yes New Medical Status: TR Is the Initial Behavior Status being Changed? no New Behavior Color:

11/12/2024

Adjusting gabapentin dose to 20 mg/kg PO BID (was on SID). No further reports of diarrhea noted.

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Milkyway was in carrier eyes dilated upon intake and wandering around the kennel. Due to in-and-out traffic at BRC, the carrier was placed in a kennel. Limited handling at this time. Updated: upon transferring cats into their carrier for EOD transport. He was approached slowly in a kennel and light pets on top of head. He was covered with a pillowcase and picked up. However, he got loose and ran to hide but came out of a corner, climbed the kennel, and flew to the lobby. He hissed while being netted. Once in the net, he remained shut down and placed in a cat carrier.

Date of Intake: 10/2/2024

KNOWN HISTORY:: Milkway was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment. Milkyway was in carrier eyes dilated upon intake and wandering around the kennel. Due to in-and-out traffic at BRC, the carrier was placed in a kennel. Limited handling at this time. Updated: upon transferring cats into their carrier for EOD transport. He was approached slowly in a kennel and light pets on top of head. He was covered with a pillowcase and picked up. However, he got loose and ran to hide but came out of a corner, climbed the kennel, and flew to the lobby. He hissed while being netted. Once in the net, he remained shut down and placed in a cat carrier.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/13/24 FB79 Inside his den, Milky Way has a tense body with wide dilated eyes and a tightly wrapped tail. He sniffs treats when tossed in the den, as well as sniffs the scratcher tool, but backs away towards the corner of his den when contact was attempted. 10/15/24 FB58 in den, completely hidden from view. I place tray with treats and give him a cage cover. He is not yet ready to come out. 10/23/24 FB1261 In cat den upon approach, completely hidden from view. He is not interested in the treat or toy offerings I present. I speak to him softly and I do not push hands-on interaction at this time. 10/29/24 FB1261 Displayed same behaviors as previous session. Remained hidden, will hopefully check out the toy and treats left for him when he feels more comfortable. 10/31/24 FB79 Inside den with wide eyes, Milkway remained tolerant of pets on his head and cheeks but his ears slightly tilted almost flattening to his head when i moved the tool down his back and around his body. 11/8/24 FB58 In his den and hidden from view, unable to coax out of the den with treats or when spoken to softly. I close the side door and lift the den cover and he is sitting curled up against the back with a tense face and body and keeps blinking (possibly slow blinking). He is tolerant of some pets along his side and cheeks with the scratcher tool but remains tense. I offer squeeze up at the front of the den before replacing the door and den cover - when I check back, it has been eaten.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

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

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

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

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: On approach, Milkway is in his den and completely hidden from view. He cannot be coaxed out with treats or when spoken to softly. When the den cover is removed, he is sitting in the den with a low and tense body, eyes wide and dilated and hisses. When the assessor offers the scratcher tool, he hisses and swats at it hard multiple times before biting it. When the Assess-A-Hand is offered, he again bites and hold onto it before swatting and holding it down for a moment as he low growls. The interaction is ended and pick up is not attempted. 11/5/24 FB1261 Milkway displayed similar behaviors during his reassessment. Milkway 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, 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.