Animal Profile

Soot 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 Soot 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. What my friends at ACC say about me: 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 would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. Soot 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, and lunge 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. A volunteer writes: Soot was found in a laundry basket in a building stairwell. He was left with some food and water to help him get by, but otherwise he was on his own to find a kind face in the crowd. If this sounds like way too much of an adventure to you, please rest assured that Soot unequivocally agrees. Though help came and brought him here, I'm not sure this change has brought Soot all that much comfort. Soot hasn't felt much like coming out of his den to say hi and tries his best to keep to himself. He'll hiss a greeting in response to our hellos and makes a point not to even sniff the treats we sincerely offer. We don't know much more about Soot's history than what I've shared here, but still we're hopeful that with a patient and loving family beside him, Soot's days of solitary adventure will be behind him and nothing but love is ahead.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 9.18 lbs

Medical Notes

1/25/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 6-7 years based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - Tense body + frozen for tasks, needs firm restraint or will attempt to flee 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, moderate tartar + gingival recession (PDDZ 3/4) PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes 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 Assessment Moderate tartar + PDDZ Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort Recommend dental when placed/adopted SURGERY: Okay for surgery

2/27/2025

SO: BAR in kennel, eating wet food eent: eyes clear, serous nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, sniffling and sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-mild P: treat in place fortiflora 1 sachet PO SID with food x7d to support appetite

3/1/2025

Canceling fortiflora as reported not eating,.

3/1/2025

SO: Was reported not eating fortiflora, but plate of fortiflora from overnight appears eaten. BAR, laying sternal in cubby eent: eyes clear, clear serous nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: URI-mild P: restarting fortiflora until 3/5

3/2/2025

QAR in den. EEN: No ocular or nasal discharge RESP: Eupneic NEURO: Normal mentation. No neurologic deficits noted. A: DOHB Plan Awaiting hold

3/5/2025

Eating small amount of wet food, has not touched medicated food. QAR sitting on top of kennel. Sneezed several times, lightly sniffing food when offered. Mild serous ocular discharge, small amount of nasal discharge. Start: -doxycycline (10mg/kg) 0.8ml PO q24h (if temperament allows ONLY) -extend Fortiflora x 7 days

3/8/2025

Recheck mild URI S: QAR on top of den, looks at me during the interaction O: EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge noted H/L: Eupneic, no coughing/sneezing or audible congestion CNS: Mentation appropriate/alert A: No evidence of URI Food bowl appears disturbed P: CTM in care Recommend placement for behavior

3/11/2025

On 3/11/2025 at approximately 10 am, I examined Soot 219274. He has appropriate mentation at this time with no neurologic signs present, and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at ACC.

3/14/2025

SO: Rechecking mild URI BAR, perched on top of den 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

3/15/2025

SO: Vomited brown liquid during rounds observation BAR, perched on top of den. Offered treats, did not eat them then vomited brown liquid. Possibly ate some wet food. 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: Vomited-r/o self limiting v other P: monitor for further occurrence

3/16/2025

Fresh food dishes in cage. Pet jumps on top of den as I speak to him. No vomit or diarrhea in cage. RESP: Eupneic A: Apparently well P: Monitor

3/24/2025

Feline neuter performed by Vet: 1657 Patient anesthesia form uploaded to Shelter Buddy in Vet Documents. pain managements: Simbadol 1.8 mg/ml Injection- 0.6 ml was given Pre-SX as a one time dose for pain management. Onsior 20 mg/ml Injection- 0.45 ml was given Post-Op as a one time dose for pain management.

3/24/2025

Hx: presents for neutering BAR H pink EENT- No ocular or nasal discharge HL- 200hr reg nm UG- MI MSI- NSF A) No contraindications for anesthesia based on PE P) Feline Neuter Not cryptorchid Self tie (open technique) with spermatic chord tied with testicular vessels (6 throws) Green Linear Tattoo Placed near Caudal Midline Expect some swelling and even a small amount of bloody discharge from the two scrotal incisions. The empty scrotum may even look puffy and red. This should all improve in the next 5- 7 days.

3/25/2025

Hx: post op Q-BAR eating eent- no nasal or ocular discharge hl- eupneic abd- relaxed ug- mc msi- amb x 4; incision is apparently CDI neuro- nsf A) 1 day post op neuter- healing P) Placement/homing

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

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

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 3/14/25 Vol. On top of hidey box eyes open, ears front - head comes up when put in squeeze treat bowl but no other reaction. Approached with hard treats on scratcher tool, Soot sniffed and ignored. Dropped treats and Soot gently lifted paw to push tool down. Waited a minute and tried to approach again - Soot moved back, eyes narrow, ears flattening. Tried again - same thing. Let tool rest, Soot rearranged himself to sit comfortably. Sweet talked and ended interaction. PRIOR ASSESSMENTS 02/27/25: Soot was resting in his cubby with his head down, ears erect, and large pupils, showing signs of caution or stress. When approached, he hissed and slowly leaned forward to sniff the scratcher tool, briefly allowing pets along his head. However, he quickly swatted and retreated, avoiding further contact. Soot also ignored the offered treats, indicating a preference to keep his distance. 03/09/25: Soot is a shy, timid, and independent cat whose behavior has been consistent during his time in shelter. He was lying down in loaf position at the back of the kennel next to his den with his head and ears forward, focused on the assessor with a tense body and wide eyes. When spoken to and opening the door, he stress meows and then gets up to sniff treats offered. When reaching close to allow him to sniff the assessor's hand, he quickly and gently swats at the assessor's hand. Soot steps back and stress meows again. When reaching close to pet with the scratcher tool, he retreats and climbs on top of the den crouching down. He slightly leans in for cheek rubs, but then stress meows and flicks his tail when stroking his body. Pick up was not attempted in order to reduce stress.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

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

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Bite/scratch history: On 03/01/25 at around 6:30 pm, Staff was cleaning Soot's kennel in the adoption room. He reached into the kennel to remove Soot's food tray and Soot swatted at him - resulting in two one-inch scratches (one on his right thumb, one between his thumb and pointer finger) - both drawing blood. Staff quickly removed himself from the kennel and no further escalation occurred.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to fearfulness and bite/scratch history and behaviorally deteriating.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Soot has deteriorated since his prior assessment. He’s easily aroused, his ears going back and pupils dilated, and while he allows brief petting, he quickly escalates, crouches, and then attempts to swat or lunge. He ate squeeze up treat but backed away and became defensive when approached again. Soot 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, and lunge 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.