COUNT CHOCULA – 20722
Safe - 2-22-2018 Manhattan Rescue: Feline Rescue of SI Please honor your pledges: http://felinerescueofstatenisland.org/donation/
***SAFE 02/22/18 *** 7 year old COUNT CHOCULA was dumped at the shelter for litterbox issues. It is not known whether or not the owner cleaned his box or even took him to the vet to see if something was wrong. Poor Count Chocula is extremely frightened in the shelter and needs a new home asap where he can decompress and relax.
MANHATTAN CENTER
Hello, my name is Count Chocula. My animal id is #20722. I am a desexed male orange tabby cat at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 7 years old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 14-Feb-2018, with the surrender reason stated as animal behaviour – destructive tendencies.
ZIP Code From: 10032
Count Chocula is at risk for behavior reasons. Count Chocula is very fearful in the care center, and allows minimal handling and no petting. Information provided by his previous owner suggests that Count Chocula is likely an anxious cat outside the care center environment too. Medically, we have no concerns for Count Chocula, who presents as a healthy cat.
My medical notes are…
Weight: 10.125 lbs
15/02/2018
[LVT Intake Exam] Microchip Scan: negative, placed 981020023335899 Evidence of Cruelty: no Observed Behavior: hissing and swatting in carrier, lunging when out of carrier, could not handle via towel, net and later feral den used Sex: neutered male Estimated Age: 7y+ Subjective: reported inappropriate litter box use for 6y, seemingly healthy animal otherwise, could not CT but MC via net Eyes: clear Ears: clean Oral Exam: mild staining Heart: could not auscultate Lungs: could not auscultate Abdomen: could not palpate Musculoskeletal: WNL BCS 5.5/9 Mentation: BARH Preliminary Assessment: behavior urinary issues? Plan: DVM intake, CT when calm
15/02/2018
[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age:7 year reported Microchip noted on Intake?n Microchip Number (If Applicable): History : o surrender, urinates outside box Subjective:thorough exam not possible due to behavior Observed Behavior -trying to bite, creaming, striking Evidence of Cruelty seen -n Evidence of Trauma seen -n Objective T = P =200 R =wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam:appear clean H/L: NSR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: minimal. could not feel bladder U/G: could not feel testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate – no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: appears healthy Prognosis:good Plan:in home, proper litter box care should be first step
Details on my behavior are…
Behavior Condition: 5. Red
Count Chocula was in a carrier and did not like to be handled. He would back away and arch his back and did not want to come out of the carrier.
Date of Intake: 2/14/2018
Is this cat having litter box issues?: Yes
Basic Information:: Count Chocula is a male orange tabby that is estimated to be 8 years old. His previous owner found him as a stray 8 years ago and has jumped from family member to family member since then until he began to urinate around the house and they were unable to take care of the issue.
If yes, Please elaborate:: Count Chocula has had litter box problems for the last 6 years where he urinates in the corners of the room and occasionally in piles of laundry. His previous owner has tried to remedy this with spray and infusers but Count Chocula did not correct this issue.
Previously lived with:: 1 Adult
How is this cat around strangers?: Count Chocula is friendly around strangers and will rub along their legs and feet.
How is this cat around children?: Count Chocula was not around children in his precious home.
How is this cat around other cats?: Count Chocula was not around cats in his previous home.
How is this cat around dogs?: Count Chocula was not around dogs in his previous home.
Behavior Notes: Count Chocula tends to scratch at furniture at home as well as using scratching posts. He as daily litter box accidents where he urinates outside of the box. Count Chocula is afraid of Baths, having his nails trimmed and being in carriers. He does not enjoys being picked up and held for longer than a moment.
Bite history:: Count Chocula has no history of having bitten another person or animal.
Energy level/descriptors:: Low energy, Shy, Independent
Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No
For a New Family to Know: Count Chocula is an independent cat that enjoys to be left alone most of the day while he hides and hangs out in his favorite spots. He likes to play with balls when there is nobody in the room and is used to being indoors all day. He eats dry cat food. Count Chocula tends to scratch at furniture and also uses horizontal cardboard scratching posts.
KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 1 adult Behavior toward strangers: Friendly, will rub along their legs and feet Behavior toward children: Unknown Behavior toward cats: Unknown Behavior toward dogs: Unknown Bite or Scratch history: None Litter box training: Has daily litter box accidents, urinating outside the box Energy level/descriptors: Low energy, Shy, Independent Other notes: Count Chocula is an independent cat that enjoys to be left alone most of the day while he hides and hangs out in his favorite spots. He likes to play with balls when there is nobody in the room.
MEDICAL BEHAVIOR:: 02/15/18 Observed Behavior -trying to bite, screaming, striking
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 2/15/18 Urinating outside litter box past six years. In den on approach. Hissed and started deep growling when door opened. Lay in place, growled louder when offered treats. Covered cage, left alone for now. 2/18/18 Sitting up next to den, head poking portal, very tense posture, eyes dilated. Started hissing and growling on approach. Screamed loudly and charged front when cage cover lifted.
Cage Condition:: Cage is neat
Reaction to assessor:: Count Chocula immediately growls when approached and focuses on the assessor with dilated eyes.
Reaction when softly spoken to:: Count Chocula continues to growl and appears tense. His right ear shifts back and forth from facing the front and to the side.
Reaction to cage door opening:: Count Chocula becomes stiff and alert.
Reaction to touch:: Count Chocula sniffs the assess-a-hand and appears unsure, but he allows gentle strokes with a slow approach and starts to lean in. He seems to appreciate petting all over, but when petting was attempted with the assessor’s real hand, he swipes and hisses.
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Mellow
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Sweet,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Inappropriate elimination,Fearful
Potential challenges comments:: Count Chocula previous owner reports that he was urinating outside the litter box for 6 years. They have tried to modify this behavior by purchasing sprays, infusers, and changed the size and shape of the litter box, but he continued to have accidents. His previous owner reports he mostly kept to himself, so we believe he may not have been completely comfortable in the home which may have contributed to the behavior seen. We cannot be sure whether this behavior will continue in a different home environment, but we recommend that potential adopters be comfortable with management and modification techniques for elimination outside the litter box should this behavior continue in a home environment. We also recommend he be provided with numerous litter boxes throughout the house as he adjusts to his new living space. The extra boxes can be removed as he learns the space and successfully defecates in his main litter box(es). Count Chocula 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 him 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: : New hope only
Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Count Chocula is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He appreciates attention and petting with a fake hand, but charges and attempts to swat with a real hand. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.
For more information on adopting from the NYC AC&C, or to find a rescue to assist, please read the following: http://urgentpodr.org/adoption-info-and-list-of-rescues. If you are local to the Tri-State, New England, and the general Northeast United States area, and you are SERIOUS about adopting or fostering one of the animals at NYC ACC, please read our MUST READ section for instructions, or email [email protected]. Our experienced volunteers will do their best to guide you through the process. * We highly discourage everyone from trusting strangers that send them Facebook messages, offering help, for it has ended in truly tragic events.* For more info on behavior codes and ratings, please click here: http://information.urgentpodr.org/acc-placement-status-descriptions. For answers to Frequently Asked Questions, please see: http://information.urgentpodr.org/category/frequently-asked-questions/. You can call (212) 788-4000 for automated instructions.
View all entries in: Safe Cats 2018-02