Animal Profile
Baloo
Hello, my name is Baloo. My animal id is #233399. I am a female brown tabby cat at the Staten Island Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 8 months 2 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a aco - impound on 8/1/2025.
Baloo is on the At Risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. She has begun to hiss and trembling intensely whenever someone is standing in front of her kennel. She is no longer tolerating any handling. 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 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. Baloo is on the At Risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and is deteriorating in the Adoptions room. She has begun to hiss and trembling intensely whenever someone is standing in front of her kennel. She is no longer tolerating any handling. 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 and who have experience with helping a fearful cat adjust to strangers. Baloo is a beautiful female cat who came to us as a stray. She's still adjusting to being in a shelter environment. Right now, Baloo is very fearful and overwhelmed. She isn't comfortable with petting, won't take treats from hands, and only ventures out to eat when the care center is quiet and staff have gone home. She is looking for a calm, adult-only home with an experienced and patient adopter who understands that trust takes time. With consistency, compassion, and a safe space to feel secure, Baloo has a chance to slowly build confidence and start to feel safe in a home of her own.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 4.1875 lbs
8/1/2025
[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 8 months Microchip noted on Intake? scan negative History: ACO impound Subjective: Observed Behavior - tense, tries to flee, biting at towel Is there evidence of Cruelty? no Is there evidence of Neglect? no Is there evidence of Trauma? no Objective BCS 3/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: limited oral exam, clean adult teeth seen PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Female MSI: Left forelimb lameness, distal limb bent abnormally at carpus, no swelling or fracture palpated, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment left forelimb abnormality and lameness- R/O healed fracture vs congenital abnormality vs other underweight Prognosis: fair Plan: recommend radiographs with sedation monitor appetite and weight SURGERY: Okay for surgery
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow
KNOWN HISTORY:: Baloo was brought in with limited information on her behavior history in a home environment.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 08.02 Baloo is on top of is den upon approach. She displays dilated pupils and flinches as the door is opened. When scratch tool it extended to greet she shifts his weight to flee. The scratch tool is removed and she is offered slow blinks with a soft voice. Her eyes remained dilated, and she shifted her body again, ready to flee. 8/5 Baloo is in her cubby lying down. When the cubby door is opened, Baloo's pupils dilate and she avoids looking towards the staff. She is offered slow blinks and is spoken to softly. 8/07 Upon opening Baloo's cubby, she appeared stiff, was shaking, and hissing repeatedly. Her eyes were open wide and ears were down to the side. She was then approached with a cat scratching tool, which was used to give her gentle pets to the forehead. She lowered her head and closed her eyes—her body relaxing a bit. When approached with a hand, she did not hiss, but her eyes widened once again. She allowed light petting on her nose and forehead. Afterwards, she was rewarded with a squeeze-up but showed little interest. 08.14 Baloo is lying in the back of her cubby. When she notices staff, she lets out a hiss. An extendable scratcher is offered to her and she sniffs it. Staff lets the scratcher sit there for a moment before slowly moving it and petting her paw. She tolerates it, so staff begins to pet her cheek. Baloo remains frozen as staff pets her. When staff remove the scratcher, they go to remove an empty food tray. While they are doing so, Baloo hisses and lunges, swatting at the staff member. The interaction ended there to avoid increasing FAS. 8/19 Baloo is in the back of her kennel with dilated pupils, pressed up against the back of the kennel. The cubby door is opened and she begins to hiss. Baloo is offered slow blinks and is spoken to softly. She begins to tremble and continues hissing. The door is closed to avoid further FAS
Potential challenges comments:: Baloo has displayed fearful behavior during their stay in the care center and has displayed distance-increasing behavior with extended handling. Fear aggression can occur when a cat perceives a threat and may escalate if they cannot escape. A fearful cat will feel more relaxed when given options, so provide her with the chance to move closer, investigate, or interact with you. Be sure to offer incentive such as treats or play time whenever the cat makes a small positive step. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to desensitize your cat to their fear stimulus.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Baloo is on top of her den sleeping. She is spoken to softly and she wakes up. Baloo hisses and begins to shiver. Her pupils dilate and ears flatten and continues to shiver. The scratch tool is introduced, Baloo leans in and sniffs scratch tool, beginning to lip lick. He tolerates petting then hides his face with flat ears. Baloo tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his/her new home. We recommend this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, she may not be a great fit for young children. Any home with older children prepared to adopt this cat should conduct a thorough interaction and endeavor to monitor this cat around their children to prevent these behaviors from being reinforced