Animal Profile

Chanel is on the At Risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. She is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. Without providing activity for her mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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 him/her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid bite/scratch incidents.

You may know me from such films as...

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. Chanel is on the At Risk list due to behavior. She is not thriving in the care center and continues to display challenging behavior during interactions. She is extremely intelligent and high energy, and needs to expend energy constructively with interactive play sessions 3-4X/day. In addition to playtime, this cat would also benefit from mental exercise from activities such as puzzle toys/games, lick mats, or clicker training. Without providing activity for her mind and body, the cat may react with rough play, potentially resulting in bite/scratch incidents. 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 him/her plenty of time and space to adjust, and who have experience with feline body language, overstimulation, rough play, and who have the time to invest in managing these behaviors on a consistent basis to avoid bite/scratch incidents. A volunteer writes: Chanel came to us with a "label" but she's been busy proving everyone wrong. When she first arrived at the shelter, the little tuxedo girl was all prickles and attitude, keeping everyone at arm's length. But give her time, and Chanel reveals her true self: a sweet, curious cat who actually loves attention and petting on her own terms. She has blossomed beautifully in our care and is now a genuinely pleasant companion to spend time with(see her VIDEO).Chanel is lively, independent, and endlessly entertaining. She loves to watch the world from a perch, scratch everything in sight (carpets, wood, cardboard, she's not picky), and alternate between energetic play sessions and long, satisfying naps. Chanel is a high-energy girl who plays hard and has a history of overstimulation. She does best when she initiates contact, and she'll let you know when she's had enough - so reading her cues is key. She has not lived with other cats or dogs. One thing she hasn't come around on yet: the carrier. Patience and positive reinforcement will be her friend there. Chanel will do better in an experienced and adult only home where her new owners will respect her boundaries and let relationships build over time. If you're looking for a cat who will keep you on your toes, reward your patience, and eventually curl up for pets on her schedule, Chanel just might be your girl.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 7.6 lbs

Medical Notes

2/14/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1 year per owner reports, exam agrees Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender due to behavior challenges Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - growling + hissing, swats at den door -- opted to sedate using 0.1 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.1 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) + 0.1 ml Ketamine (100mg/ml) IM. Adequate 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, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, clean/white PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact female, no OHE scar or tattoo noted MSI: Ambulatory x 4 (prior to sedation), skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities (prior to sedation) Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Apparently healthy Intact female Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort/behavior assessment 0.1 ml anti-sedan IM Recovery uneventful SURGERY: Okay for surgery

2/27/2026

SO: BAR, appears to be eating with good appetite 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: URI-mild P: fortiflora 1 sachet PO SID x7d

3/5/2026

SO: BAR, comes to kennel door taking treats 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: URI apparently resolved P: monitor for recurrence of clinical signs

3/12/2026

Requesting 2 week gabapentin trial period for in shelter FAS 50mg gabapentin in food BID x14d trial period

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Is this cat having litter box issues?: No

Basic Information:: Chanel is a 1-year-old DSH who was surrendered due to their behavior.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults

How is this cat around strangers?: Reported to be hiss, swat, bite, nip. Curious and plays roughly

How is this cat around children?: Reported to be hiss, swat, bite, nip. Curious and plays roughly

How is this cat around other cats?: No experience

How is this cat around dogs?: No experience

Behavior Notes: Trims nails: Growls, swats, bites, nips Brush their coat: Growls, bites Picks up them up: Scratches, bites Picks up and put in carrier: Unk

Bite history:: Incident reported on 2/4; DOH quarantined at home.

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Chanel is reported to be active, playful, distant, independent and likes to watch from afar. Chanel spends most of her time in the room, in the living room and is only an indoor cat. Chanel is reported to play hard. They enjoy scratching on carpets, wood and carton. The client states that Chanel's favorite things are to sleep and eat. Chanel also eats both wet and dry food. She pays rough and has a lot of energy, she is reported to swat and bite when playing. There was 1 litter box in the home, and it was located in the living room. The litter was scented with clumping litter.

KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Cat Previously lived with: 2 adults Behavior toward strangers: Reported to be hiss, swat, bite, nip. Curious and plays roughly Behavior toward children: Reported to be hiss, swat, bite, nip. Curious and plays roughly Behavior toward cats: No experience Behavior toward dogs: No experience Bite or Scratch history: Chanel has a tendency to be aggressive and will swat, hiss, and scratch at owners without warning. Owner stated that Chanel gets overstimulated easily and prefers contact on her own terms. On 2/4/26, there was a scratch incident that broke skin, She stated the cat swatted at her and it made contact with her flesh. Litter box training: Yes, there was 1 litter box in the home, and it was located in the living room. The litter was scented with clumping litter. Energy level/descriptors: High energy Other notes: Chanel is reported to be active, playful, distant, independent and likes to watch from afar. Chanel spends most of her time in the room, in the living room and is only an indoor cat. Chanel is reported to play hard. They enjoy scratching on carpets, wood and carton. The client states that Chanel's favorite things are to sleep and eat. Chanel also eats both wet and dry food. She pays rough and has a lot of energy, she is reported to swat and bite when playing. Trims nails: Growls, swats, bites, nips Brush their coat: Growls, bites Picks up them up: Scratches, bites

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 2/15/26 FB32 Lying down in loaf position in the middle of the kennel with a tense body and wide, dilated eyes. Hisses upon approach and opening the door. Sniffs treat offered on tool. Allows petting on the cheeks but freezes and low grumbles. When reaching around her head, she hisses, steps back, and sits up. Kept interaction short to reduce stress. 2/18/26 Vol. Chanel is in loaf on top of her den, eyes wide, pupils dilated, ears up, whiskers neutral. Upon approach after lifting the shoreline, she hissed twice quickly. She observes the tool extended with the treat carefully, then licks it and then eagerly licks a second treat. She low growled when pet with the back of the tool. Upon receiving a toy mouse sprayed with catnip, she licked it tenderly, then nestled her head on her paws and closed her eyes. In response to crunchy treats lightly tossed at her, she thumped her tail rapidly, then slowed down and blinked slowly. A further attempt to engage her met with a hiss. 2/20/26 Vol. Chanel was crouched on top of her den. Her eyes were wide and partly dilated, and she hissed when approached. She climbed off of den with the front half of her body to sniff and paw at a catnip toy for a few moments, then climbed back on top of den. She returned a slow blink, then hissed. She leaned forward to eat squeeze up from scratcher tool without much hesitation. She accepted more squeeze up, but gave occasional low grumbles. Played with catnip mouse on her own after interaction 2/21/26 Vol. Is on top of den box, lying down, facing forward, hissed when approached, spoken to and door opened. Hissed again. Offered dry treats on scratcher tool. Leaned closer, sniffed and ate treats. Slowly attempt to pet with scratcher tool. Hissed, Offered squeeze up on scratcher tool. Ate, stood up slightly hunched at one point to eat squeeze up, lying down again. Attempted to pet with scratcher tool, hissed and swatted. Gave more squeeze up on scratcher tool. Ate squeeze up. Left a felt square sprayed with Feliway, sniffed and I gave her some catnip and a couple of toys. 2/24/26 FB32 Crouched down on right kennel, pokes head out and walks to back of left kennel when spoken to and opening the door. Sniffs and accepts treats offered. When pet on the head, she leans back and hisses. Recovers fairly quickly and accepts more treats in the middle of the kennel but too nervous to walk to the front for treats. 2/25/26 FB73 Chanel is laying at the back of her kennel, pupils dilated and hissing once as the handler lifts the shoreline cover. When petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, she leans away and hisses. Treats are offered and she is softly spoken to and after a few seconds she slowly approaches the front of the kennel, hesitantly sniffing the crunchy treat before beginning to eat them. A few more treats are offered, and she continues to accept them, pupils dilated and remaining slightly tense as she eats. ~GAN!

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Lively

VOCAL:: Talkative

CHARACTER TYPE: : Social,Sweet,Affectionate,Insistent,Curious

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,Rough play,Other,New home adjustment period,Carrier aversion

Potential challenges comments:: Owner reported overstimulation, rough play, and a bite/scratch history (see Known History above for more details). Chanel has a very serious carrier aversion and when we tried to put her in a carrier she got very upset and struggled significantly. She may respond to behavior work over time, see below, but if she doesn't, she may need medication in order to get her successfully into a carrier. To work on this challenge, start by leaving the carrier out and open with a cozy blanket or towel and treats. Let your cat inspect it. Try feeding your cat at mealtime increasingly close to the door. Once she can eat by the door try feeding inside the carrier. When she is comfortable inside the carrier you should try briefly closing the door. If the cat panics, open the door right away. The goal should be able to leave the door shut for increasing amounts of time over many days, until she seems generally comfortable in the carrier. If she becomes upset then you’re working too quickly. Be patient! The goal is to make the carrier a happy place for your cat! See https://www.tenthlifecats.org/all-about-cats/cat-behavior/carrier-aversion

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Adult only home due to potential challenges.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Chanel is sitting at the front of the kennel with forward ears and wide, dilated eyes. She reaches her paws through the bars and lightly bats at the assessor. Once the kennel is opened, she attempts to nudge her way out. She is offered the assess-a-hand which she sniffs, and begins to pet herself with it, head bunting and scent marking. When the hand pets along her body, her tail is high and begins to sway slightly. She is pet again on her cheeks, and she meows loudly, hisses, and nips at the hand. Chanel wraps her paws around the hand and pulls it towards her, rolling on her back as she continues to nip at it. The interaction is ended, and Chanel is back at the front of the kennel meowing loudly. Chanel interacts with the observer and solicits & appreciates attention, but does get overstimulated quickly. We recommend that due to the behaviors seen in the care center, and her behavior history in her previous home, that this cat will do best in an expericed, adult only home and be well counseled in overstimulation, rough play, and carrier aversion.