04/19/2025
*** SAFE WITH Wildlife Freedom Foundation RESCUE - 04/20/2025! ***
PLEDGE / DONATION LINK (via HOMEPAGE):
https://www.wildlifefreedomfoundation.org/
♦♦TO BE KILLED♦♦
"Royce is on the at-risk list due to behavior. He is not thriving in the care center and while he is making some progress in coming out of his shell, the shelter environment is not conducive to him making continued progress due to his sensitivity to environmental stimuli (loud noises, sudden movements, etc.). He has begun to deteriorate and can escalate/re-direct with little warning. He shows curious behaviors but can be easily triggered. 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 with sensitivities to loud noises and a potential for overstimulation.."
*** A volunteer writes:
Turning his head like a parrot to watch me as I read my book to him, Royce wants to understand. He wants to understand why he's here and when he can finally have a family to call his own. And while it's hardly too much to ask, he really isn't the most patient of cats. He's quick to let us know this isn't where he wants to be, but Royce has been making progress and though progress is a process, it's certainly worth celebrating how far he's come. I wasn't sure I'd ever get to meet Royce because each time I walked by his condo, he kind of left me talking to his den and is why I've been trying to make friends through reading to him. In his previous home, Royce was known as a lap cat and has been described as an adorably curious guy. While we haven't quite seen those behaviors exactly at the Care Center, we know he's tr[TRUNCATED]. ***
♦♦NEW HOPE RESCUE PARTNERS ONLY. PLEASE MESSAGE THIS PAGE IF YOU CAN ADOPT HIM AND NEED TO BE PUT IN TOUCH WITH A NEW HOPE RESCUE PARTNER♦♦
QUEENS ACC ADOPTABLE
ROYCE 218974:
6YR | Neutered | O/S | 13.0625 lbs
MEDICAL:
Weight: 13.0625 lbs
2/21/2025:
DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: 3-7 years old
Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative
History: Owner surrender
Subjective: BAR
Observed Behavior - tense body, tucked tail, allowed all handling
Is there evidence of Cruelty? No
Is there evidence of Neglect? No
Is there evidence of Trauma? No
Objective:
T =
P = 240
R = 40
BCS 9/9
EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted
Oral Exam: Mild-moderate dental calculus
PLN: No enlargements noted
H/L: NSR, Grade II heart murmur, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic
ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated
U/G: Male, no scrotal testicles
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat
CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities
Re**al: Externally normal
Assessment:
Obese
Grade II heart murmur
Prognosis:
Plan:
Intake tasks
Spot BG: 139
SURGERY:
Already neutered.
3/1/2025:
Reported to have high FAS in shelter; demonstrating hissing, growling or swatting.
*Starting gabapentin 100mg PO q12h, check in with FB in 2 weeks to assess progress
3/15/2025:
Continues to be timid/nervous and conflicted, but pokes head out occasionally for pets.
*Continue with gabapentin as previously prescribed
3/26/2025:
Progress Exam, DOH-B
S/O: QAR in den, no c/s/v/d noted
EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge noted
Lungs: Eupneic, normal respiratory rate/effort
CNS: Mentation appropriate
A: Obese, heart murmur
P: CTM while at QACC
4/4/2025:
On 04/04/2025 Royce was examined. The patient has appropriate mentation at this time (no neurological signs present) and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at QACC.
BEHAVIOR:
KNOWN HISTORY: Previously lived with: 3 Adults; 1 child
Behavior toward strangers: Curious, Shy & Timid
Behavior toward children: Curious
Behavior toward cats: No experience
Behavior toward dogs: No experience
Bite or Scratch history: Has scratched another person 6 mos ago, please see "potential challenges" section for more info.
Litter box training: Royce has access to 1 covered, scented litterbox located in the living room.
Energy level/descriptors: High Energy Level
Other notes: Royce can be described as lazy/couch potato, a lap cat, and friendly. He spent most of his time in the living room and enjoyed playing with things that crinkle, chasing bugs or moths, and received interactive playtime multiple times a month. He enjoys scratching on carpet/fabric and was noted to also scratch furniture. The previous owner's favorite thing about him was that he was talkative. If he were to hiss, growl, swat, or bite, it was noted that these behaviors are usually defensive. Royce will struggle or squirm when his nails are trimmed, his coat is brushed, when picked up/held, and when placed in a carrier.
During intakes minimum handling was done.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:
2/27/25
In den and hidden from view, can't be coaxed out. When the den cover is lifted, he hisses a couple times and when I place some dry treats down, he sniffs the air. He lip licks and tolerates a few touches with with the tool before low growling, hissing and lunging at the front of the den. Starting him on gaba.
3/2/25
Royce smacked the den from inside as soon as I touched the cover. I heard him begin to grumble. I lifted the den cover and saw him hunched up. He hissed and grumbled at me. I threw some treats into his den and he continued to grumble. I put my hand against the clear side of the den and he just stared at it. I spoke softly to him but did not put my hand inside the den. I ended the interaction, closing the kennel door. I could hear him grumbling for a long time after that. He was not ready to socialize today.
3/4/25
In den and pokes his head out as the cage door is opened, ears forward and eyes slightly wide and slow blinks- he leans forward to sniff the hand offered to him. He accepts a few scratches on his head and cheeks before he ducks back into the den and hisses hard at me. He eats the treats offered and pokes his head out again, allowing a few more head scratches before again ducking into his den and hissing.
3/7/25
Inside his den, Royce hisses as soon as he hears me open the kennel door and speak to him; he has dilated wide yes and tilted ears with hunched shoulders as he continues the harsh hissing. However he stops the hissing when i toss some treats inside and he leans in to sniff - although he doesnt eat them he tolerates pets on his head and downs his back as he closely watches the tool with his eyes still wide and back still hunched over.
3/9/25
Royce was in his den. I heard him swat the wall of the den as I approached. I lifted the den cover and he grumbled and hissed at me. I put Churu near the opening. He put his head out to investigate but did not taste it. He stepped out of the den for a moment but turned around and went back inside immediately. I think he wanted to escape but I was blocking his path. He licked his lips a lot. I did not try to pet him because I didn’t want to escalate his emotions. He is fearful now.
3/11/25
In his den and hidden from view- he begins to low grumble from inside - his face is slightly visible and he sits with eyes wide and dilated. I offer some dry treats outside the den and lightly toss some into the den as well and offer squeeze up on the tool but he doesn't show interest. Instead I just sit and watch him as I slow blink and speak softly, letting him get his grumbles and hisses out. After some time I offer some dry treats in my hand and he pokes his head out slowly with eyes wide to eat from my palm as he grumbles. He repeats this another time while eating from my palm but as the room starts to get loud he ducks back into his den with a tense face.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate
VOCAL: Somewhat chatty
CHARACTER TYPE: Social, Shy, Sweet, Playful, People oriented, Curious, Timid, Skittish, Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES: Overstimulation, Fearful, Other, New home adjustment period
Potential challenges comments: *There was a recent bite/scratch incident on 3/25/25*
A Cat Companion Volunteer was interacting and Royce came out of his den, and so she believed he wanted to be interacted with. Royce was ok with being pet for about 30 seconds and then heard a loud sound from elsewhere in the cat adoptions rooms and bit and scratched her right hand. There was very faint blood drawn but the wound was very superficial. There was no one else in the room at the time. The volunteer washed out the wound and went home for the day, and did not seek medical attention at this time.
Royce was noted to have previously scratched someone in the past as per previous owner - He added that Royce scratched his mother in September 2024 when she fell out of bed. She suffers from dementia. Royce approached her out of curiosity, but Mom pushed him away. Royce scratched or bit her on her left leg, resulting in bleeding/stitches.
It appears that while Royce may be curious, he is easily triggered by noise or fast movement and it is important that Royce always have the option to retreat from any people or environment he does not feel comfortable in to avoid any escalation.
3/25/25
Royce has made very slow but steady progress with the feline behavior time while also on gabapentin for anxiety. Where he initially would hiss, growl and lunge from inside his den... he gradually began to poke his head out to sniff at treats placed down and then to eat treats from staff's palm. In the last two weeks he has begun to show interest in coming out of the den fully and he is now able to sit in his den with the den cover removed (for the last week) without lunging or swatting when the cage door is opened. He will also come out and depending on the environmental stimuli, is able to solicit attention and pets and leans into touch from staff. He remains very sensitive to his environment and will hyper focus on sounds or movements behind staff during interactions and may even back up and begin to low growl or tense and walk close to staff if very overwhelmed and interactions or ended. He still has moments where he may raise a paw or begin to get too tense and growl-y for interactions to be productive but he has really shown that he is interested in interactions but is a very sensitive boy.
04/2/25
Royce also appears to have the potential to become overstimulated - a combination of environmental stimuli (loud noises, fast movements, etc.) as well as petting/interactions individually appear to cause Royce to become overstimulated. If combined they may result in a quicker trigger to swatting or biting. As evidenced by the recent bite/scratch incident in shelter, while Royce may solicit attention as he gets more comfortable, trigger stacking may result in a quick shift to swatting and biting if he is startled or has reached his threshold.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: New Hope Only
RECOMMENDATIONS: Other, Adult only home
Recommendations comments: Due to the behavior seen in shelter and needing a longer time to warm up, the behavior team feels Royce would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment. Royce is very sensitive to environmental stimuli and will require a low traffic adult-only space to decompress from the shelter environment.
Due to his history of bite/scratches due to loud noises or a sudden fast movement, Royce would do best in a home where he has space to remove himself from triggers and where he can have a calm and quiet environment to decompress and gain confidence.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:
2/24/25
On the top part of his kennel, Royce has a slightly tense body with wide/dilated eyes when the assessor opens the kennel door and speaks to him. He has no interest in treats that are placed in front of him and fixates on the sounds and room behind the assessor. When the scratcher tool is introduced, he has no reaction and tolerates pets on his head/cheeks but starts to lip lick and looks back towards the tool when it is used to pet down and around his body. However, Royce tolerates all petting while remaining very still, with his eyes wide and a slightly tense body.
4/2/25
Upon re-eval, Royce continues to show similar behaviors to his previous evaluation. On approach, he is in his den but comes out fully when the cage door is opened, ears forward and tail raised. He appears to have a slightly tense face and body, and eyes wide as he focuses in on the room and noises happening out in the hallway. he sniffs the hand offered and accepts a few pets on his head and cheeks with the assessor's hand as he leans in. He then begins to grumble and steps back raising a paw to swipe. When treats are then offered, he steps over and begins to eat - sniffing the scratcher tool offered and accepting and leaning into pets along his head and cheeks. When pet along his back and side with the tool, he tenses and begins to grumble, appearing to begin to get overstimulated when pet in these areas.
4/9/25
Upon meeting with him again, Feline Behavior staff are interacting with Royce to get a video to assist with placement. On approach, he is in the cage and at the front, vocalizing and appearing to solicit attention. When the cage door is opened, he stands at the front with ears forward, face and body mostly neutral, and tail raised. The assessor offers him treats and he shows some interest but becomes hyper focused on the noises in the hallway with eyes wide and dilated and neck stretched out. He appears tense and the assessor places more treats down to re-direct him. He eventually looks back from the door and down at the treats where the assessor has their hand and is pointing at the treats. He leans down to sniff either the treats or the assessor's hand before he moves forward quickly to bite the assessor's finger. Skin is not broken due to the assessor wearing a ring, the cage door is close and the interaction is ended.
Royce 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, scratch, bite, 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.
What my friends at ACC say about me:
* I am finding the shelter a little overwhelming, but when it's just you and me and some peace and quiet you'll see what a love bug I am.
* 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'm an independent kitty who likes to do my own thing.
"OWNER" NOTES:
During intakes minimum handling was done.
Basic Information: Name: Royce
Age: 6-10 years old
Color: Gray-Whit
S*x: Male
Previously lived with: 3 Aduls; I child
How is this cat around strangers?: Curious, Shy & Timid
How is this cat around children?: Curious
How is this cat around other cats?: No experience
How is this cat around dogs?: No experience
Behavior Notes: If they hiss, growl, swat, or bite - these behaviors are usually: Defensive
How this cat reacts when someone...
- Trims their nails: Struggles or squirms
- Brushes their coat: Struggles or squirms
- Picks up/holds: Struggles or squirms
- Places them in a carrier: Struggles or squirms, Stress meows
Bite history: Has scratched another person.
Energy level/descriptors: High
Has this cat ever had any medical issues?: No
For a New Family to Know: Description of this cat most of the time: Lazy/Couch potato, Lap cat, Friendly
Additional info: Not reported
Areas the cat had access to: Indoors
Additional info: Not reported
Where the cat spent most time: Living room
Additional info: Not reported
How the cat likes to play: Likes things that crinkle, Chases bugs or moths
Additional info: Not reported
How often the cat got interactive playtime: Multiple times per month
Additional info: Not reported
This cat likes to scratch on: Carpet/Fabric, Other
Additional info: Leather sofa
Previous owner's favorite things about the cat:
Talking
Behavior issues noted: Scratches furniture
Additional info: Not reported
Type of food the cat eats: Dry Food
Brands of food: Purina
Favorite treats: Temptations- Chicken and other
Access to a litterbox in the home: Yes
Used the bathroom outdoors: Not reported
Litter boxes in the home: 1
Litter box location(s): Living room
Other location: Not reported
Type of litter box: Covered
Other type: Not reported
Type of litter: Scented
Other type: Not reported
Spraying: No
Spraying location(s): Not reported.
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NYC ACC DIRECT ADOPTION NOTE: If you live in or around NYC, and you can get to the NYC shelter IN PERSON you can read below and email the shelter directly to inquire. Be sure to enter the cats Name & ID Number in the subject line field of the email.
EMAIL
[email protected]
NYC ACC
General inquiries:
tel. 1-212-788-4000
[email protected]
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Manhattan Animal Care Center
326 East 110th Street (between 1st and 2nd Aves.)
New York, NY 10029
Open for adoptions:
Monday – Friday (12pm – 6pm)
Saturday & Sunday (11am – 5pm)
Hours of Operations:
Monday – Sunday (10am – 6pm)
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Queens Animal Care Center
1906 Flushing Avenue
Ridgewood, NY 1138
Open for adoptions:
Monday – Friday (12pm – 6pm)
Saturday & Sunday (11am – 5pm)
Hours of Operations:
Monday – Sunday (10am – 6pm)
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Staten Island Care Center
3139 Veterans Road West
Staten Island, NY 10309
Open for adoptions:
Wednesday – Sunday (11am – 5pm)
Hours of Operations:
Wednesday – Sunday (10am – 5pm)
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ABOUT TRANSPORT: In some cases, when rescue has approved adopter there may be FREE TRANSPORT up to a 4 hour. radius outside of NYC, including all or parts of NY, NJ, CT, PA, NH, VT, RI, MA, MD, DE & DC (see the transport map provided). More distant adopters can meet the transport van, (i.e. a NC or VA adopter could meet in MD or DC, or an OH adopter could meet in PA).
ABOUT KITTENS: Kittens under 8 wks old & under 2 lbs, due to fragility are NOT PUBLICLY ADOPTABLE. They can only be pulled by a rescue group for specially-trained, pre-approved kitten foster homes in NY, NJ & CT.
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ABOUT US : MLC is a 100% volunteer run page. We can help facilitate a rescue, by connecting you with a 501c3 RESCUE. Must Love Cats is NOT a rescue, nor are we affiliated with any of the NYC ACC shelters.
