Animal Profile

Groucho 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; however, he may be somewhat conflicted since he occasionally has good days where he welcomes petting and attention. 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. She 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.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Groucho 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; however, he may be somewhat conflicted since he occasionally has good days where he welcomes petting and attention. 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. She 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. What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! It is unknown if I have ever lived with other animals or children. I am looking for a home with a patient person. I can be slow to adjust to new environments. I prefer to take things at my own pace. I will flourish in a calm environment and a low-traffic home. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I'm sensitive and shy. I'll need extra help from you. I would do best in a home without very tiny humans, although I could be open to older human children once I meet them. A volunteer writes: Groucho came to the Care Center with a cat friend (Harpo, since adopted), two small dogs, and three turtles. Now, this sweet, calm tabby is looking for a new crew to hang with in a true forever home. In the cat adoption room he's quiet yet engaged with the humans who come to greet him--allowing pettings but still giving off a scaredy-cat vibe. It seems like Groucho wants to be more outgoing and make human friends, but he tends to retreat to protect himself. Cats like Groucho come into our care all the time, and once they find new pet parents to love them, they blossom. Want to give a good cat with deep BFF potential the same chance? Then you must meet Mr. Groucho today!

My medical notes are...

Weight: 12.3 lbs

Medical Notes

7/16/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 7-8 years based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: ACO-impound, left behind by eviction Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - tense, frozen for exam and then attempted to flee for tasks, opted to sedate using 0.2 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.2 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) IM (only mild sedation reached) Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear OU, ears dirty AU, superficial abrasions AS, no nasal discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, moderate tartar (PDDZ 3/4) PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Ear mites Moderate dental disease Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Clean ears 0.2 ml antisedan IM Await sort/behavior assessment SURGERY: Okay for surgery, clean ears at surgery

7/17/2025

Cat was housed in a room with a panleukopenia positive cat. Due to being high risk, this cat should be monitored for panleuk and isolated from other cats for two weeks. This cat's quarantine starts on 07.16.2025-07.30.2025

7/30/2025

SO: Last day of panleukopenia quarantine BAR, sitting inside of kennel eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: no clinical signs of panleukopenia appreciated P: OK to move out of quarantine monitor for URI symptoms

8/2/2025

SO: Reported sneezing with decreased appetite QAR eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, sniffling and sneezing appreciated, audible congestion msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-mild P: temporary waiver for surgery

8/2/2025

[Spay/Neuter Waiver - Temporary] Your newly adopted pet has been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection 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.

8/4/2025

Some wet food missing from dish. EEN: Green ocular and nasal discharge. Nasal congestion. ORAL: Intermittent open mouth breathing. RESP: Increased inspiratory effort A: URI moderate Plan Move to cat isolation Doxycycline 50mg/ml 1 ml po sid x 7d LRS 150 mls SQ Cerenia 10mg/ml 0.5 ml SQ

8/5/2025

Pet did not eat o/n. EEN: No ocular discharge. Clear nasal discharge RESP: Eupneic ORAL: Increased frequency of swallowing A: Pet appears less dull today. Anorexic r/o oropharyngeal pain P: LrS 100 mls sq sid x 3d Cerenia 10mg/ml 0.5 ml sq sid x 2 days Zorbium 1 ml topical

8/7/2025

Last day of supportive care for moderate URI, on doxycycline until 8/10. S: QAR, in den. Ate well o/n. O: EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge noted H/L: Eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion while cage side ABD: Relaxed MSI: Ambulatory x 4, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate/alert A: Appears to be responding to supportive care Eating URI signs resolving P: CWCT Recheck at end of meds course

8/9/2025

Recheck URI S: QAR, in den. All food bowls eaten, meds eaten. O: EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge noted H/L: Eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion MSI: Ambulatory x 4, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities A: URI appears resolved P: Ok to move out of ISO Monitor

8/13/2025

SO: Reported having scab behind ear on symptoms board, had abrasions behind ears and was diagnosed with ear mites on intake BAR, shrinking away from handling in kennel eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: ear mites P: selamectin 45mg topically recommend ear cleaning at time of neuter

8/18/2025

Noted on symptoms board to have ocular discharge OD S: QAR in kennel, food bowls eaten O: EENT: Eyes clear, no appreciable ocular or nasal discharge noted H/L: Eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion MSI: Ambulatory x 4, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate/alert A: No evidence of conjunctivitis Resolved URI P: Monitor

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

KNOWN HISTORY:: Groucho was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 8/3/25 Vol. Groucho was pretty sick. I noted on the white board that he had green discharge from both eyes, was breathing through his mouth, and didn’t appear to be eating (no interest in squeeze-up, dry treats, or wet food). He was lying in his litter box with his head hanging over the rim of the box. He allowed me to clean up his eyes a with a lightly moistened tissue. Groucho really leaned into head and cheek rubs. I think he would have been happy to rest his head in my hand for as long as possible. 8/6/25 Vol. Under-the-weather kitty. Sign on cubby said to move him to ISO. Low energy, does not engage, just sitting behind his litter box. 8/10/25 Vol. Resting in litter box with dilated eyes, but returned slow blinks with sweet talk. Did not investigate a cup of Temptations and squeeze-up in the cubby. Shifted away from portal when tidying the main kennel area. Leaned forward to sniff the scratcher tool, then allowed head scratches, leaning in after a minute. Flopped onto his side and moved his head around to get scratches all over. 8/12/25 Vol. He was sitting behind his litter box with his tongue sticking out. He was not interested in eating or playing and was generally unresponsive. 8/13/25 Vol. Groucho was lying curled up at back of cubby behind litter box. He looked up and gave slow blinks when approached. He poked his head into main kennel to sniff treats, but did not eat. When spoken to sweetly, he rubbed his face against kennel wall and then leaned into cheek rubs, without coming out from back of cubby. He rolled around on his back and moved his head around to get scratches in different spots. With some other coaxing, he stood up and came partway into main kennel to seek more petting. After a few moments he withdrew back into cubby and lay down again. 8/20/25 Vol. Lying down in his cubby. Gave me some slow blinks and allowed several minutes of head scratches by hand. Ate Squeeze-ups from my finger. Played with new tassel toy I just bought from Chewy. Ate up all the tuna I gave him. Much improved! 8/25/25 ACFR Laying in the back of his cubby, getting up, coming forward, and meowing when the door is opened. He allowed petting on the head for a few seconds before retreating to the back of the cubby once again, pupils dilating and lip licking. Treats are able to be slowly placed in front of them and he accepts and eats them. Allows some more petting on the head and cheeks with the scratcher tool for a few more seconds before tensing, ears back, and lifting a paw.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Mellow

VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Sweet,Affectionate,Curious,Timid

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Uncomfortable with pick up,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Initially fearful (tense body, wide eyes, steps back, lip licks, and softly stress meows); however, he has made significant improvements with receiving attention since the previous evaluation. Now he head bunts and leans in hard for cheek rubs; however, he is uncomfortable with pick up. During pick up, he tenses up, stands his ground, stiffens out his limbs, and struggles/squirms when held. After placing him back down, he retreats to the back of the kennel, hisses, flattens his ears, widens his eyes, whines/cries, and then retreats to the cubby to hide. He recovers fairly quickly and continues to tolerate more petting and cheek rubs. We recommend coaxing him with treats, petting, or cheek rubs into a larger-spaced area so then it is easier to reach around his entire body. In addition, using a large, thick towel will help provide safe restraint around his body, face, and legs to prevent him from flailing or squirming and to reduce fear from visual stimuli during handling.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: No young children under 13 years old due to initial fearfulness and being uncomfortable with pick up. Counselor discretion is advised.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 07/18/25: Groucho was lying down hiding in the den with his front limbs extended forward, focused on the assessor with a tense body and wide eyes when removing the den cover. He steps back and curls up in the den when reaching close to offer treats. He tolerates petting on the head and cheeks but lip licks and softly stress meows when pet on the body. Pick up was not attempted in order to reduce stress. 08/17/25: Groucho has made significant improvements with receiving attention since the previous evaluation; however, he is uncomfortable with being handled. He was lying down in the bottom cubby with his front limbs extended and his head and ears forward, focused on the assessor with a neutral body and eyes. He sniffs treats offered and gently head bunts for petting. He lean in hard and rolls over for cheek rubs. The assessor is able to halfway coax him with treats, which he eats, and more petting to take a step into the main kennel area; however, when stroking his body and attempting to nudge him out, he is still unsure about coming out and steps back into the cubby. When reaching around his body and pulling him forward, he tenses up, stands his ground, and stiffens out his limbs to prevent himself from being removed from the cubby. When lifted out and repositioned in the assessor's arms, he struggles and squirms when held. After placing him back down in the main kennel area, he retreats to the back of the kennel, hisses, flattens his ears, widens his eyes, whines/cries, and then retreats to the cubby to hide. After about one minute, he recovers fairly quickly and continues to tolerate more petting and cheek rubs. Groucho interacts with the observer, tolerates attention and petting, but appears moderately/somewhat fearful or stressed in the shelter and he did not appear to like being picked up during the behavior evaluation. Please keep in mind there are many reasons why a cat may be uncomfortable with this type of handling and that this may not necessarily translate into a home environment. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, he may not be a great fit for young children. Any future home with children should be counseled in respecting the cat’s space and for the family to use care when picking him up, especially while he is still adjusting to his new home. 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.