04/25/2025
***SAFE 4/27/25*** Pulled by Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA - Donation website: https://cghs.org/donate/
***ON EMERGENCY AT RISK PLACEMENT LIST FOR SATURDAY 04/26/25 DEADLINE IS NOON. ***
Willow 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.
A volunteer writes: Willow seems continually perplexed by his own decision to sit at the front of his condo. I don't always understand why I do things either but I think Willow might be feeling a little unsure of where things are going. That's ok. We'll help him get there! Willow's life now is considerably different than it was before and big changes can be quite confusing. Willow came to us from a home with many other cats and we don't know too much else about his history. When he's not in his cubby, he's sitting with a look of confoundment at the door and in our attempts to make this easier, or even just to brighten the day really, we've been trying to make friends by offering treats and pets. The former is likely among the missing puzzle pieces for Willow. He seems to exclaim, "Ah yes, that is exactly what I was looking for," as he happily chomps away at the treats, albeit mostly when we close the door. Sometimes open to pets, Willow will permit occasional scritch from time to time, but mostly he's a guy who could benefit from a little extra patience, a lot of love, and maybe some treats if you have some.
Queens Center
Hello, my name is Willow. My animal id is #222417. I am a desexed male brown tabby cat at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years 1 months 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a aco - impound on 3/15/2025.
Willow 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.
Willow 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.
A volunteer writes: Willow seems continually perplexed by his own decision to sit at the front of his condo. I don't always understand why I do things either but I think Willow might be feeling a little unsure of where things are going. That's ok. We'll help him get there! Willow's life now is considerably different than it was before and big changes can be quite confusing. Willow came to us from a home with many other cats and we don't know too much else about his history. When he's not in his cubby, he's sitting with a look of confoundment at the door and in our attempts to make this easier, or even just to brighten the day really, we've been trying to make friends by offering treats and pets. The former is likely among the missing puzzle pieces for Willow. He seems to exclaim, "Ah yes, that is exactly what I was looking for," as he happily chomps away at the treats, albeit mostly when we close the door. Sometimes open to pets, Willow will permit occasional scritch from time to time, but mostly he's a guy who could benefit from a little extra patience, a lot of love, and maybe some treats if you have some.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 8.5 lbs
Medical Notes
3/16/2025
DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: ~2 years
Microchip noted on Intake? N
History: ACO intake. From household with 22+ cats
Subjective:
Observed Behavior - Stress meowed, hid in towel. No aggression or resistance.
Is there evidence of Cruelty? N
Is there evidence of Neglect? N
Is there evidence of Trauma? N
Objective
BCS 5/9
EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted
Oral Exam: Clean adult dentition
H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic
ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated
U/G: MI, two scrotal te**es
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, rough hair coat
CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities
Re**al: Externally normal
Assessment
Apparently healthy
Prognosis:
Good
Plan:
Routine intake
SURGERY:
Okay for surgery
3/19/2025
Pre-surgical exam, anesthesia, and surgery performed by offsite vet. Medical record uploaded to Vet Documents.
Green linear tattoo placed lateral to incision.
Spay/Neuter - ACCEPTED
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
Behavior History
Behavior Assessment
KNOWN HISTORY:: Willow was brought in from a hoarding situation with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 3/20/25 FB79
Willow is at the front of his kennel with his back facing me as i open the kennel door; he has his tail loosely wrapped around his legs with forward ears and neutral eyes. He turns his head to look at me but remains still as i run my hand down his back. He allows pets on head before he turns and lays with his paws tucked under and with his eyes soft.
3/23/25 FB79
Today, Willow is inside of his den laying on his side with a neutral face and relaxed body. He shifts over to sniff the treats that i bring in the den but has no interest. Willow remains very still and tolerant of the pets i gave him on his head, cheeks/chin as well as all over his body but his eyes started to dilate when someone entered the room and the noise levels escalated.
3/25/25 FB58
Laying in the den with a slightly tense face and body, tolerant of touch with the tool but remains in place, frozen and pressed close to the front of the den. He shows no interest in the treats offered.
3/27/25 FB79
Fast asleep in his den, Willow has a relaxed loose body and neutral face when he wakes up after i speak to him softly. He harshly flinches when i slowly bring the tool closer to pet and hisses as his eyes dilated, ears flatten to his and he raises a paw when i use to the tool to pet on his cheek.
4/3/25 FB58
In his den with a tense face and body, ears forward, eyes wide. I offer some treats in his empty tray and he appears curious, poking his head out to sniff and eat them, but is very wary and pulls away every time I attempt to move my hand or the scratcher tool closer to attempt to pet.
04/07/25 FB61
In cat den upon approach, body and face tense and tail curled around feet. He retreats out of his den as soon as I open the kennel door - body and tail low - and he hunches on his perch to watch me with wide eyes and dilated pupils. He hisses hard with flat ears and leans away when I attempt petting so I don’t push it, however he shows immediate interest in the treats offered. He sniffs each one I lower in front of him and he eats them after I close the kennel door. Will continue to build positive associations.
4/11/25 FB79
Laying in his bed, Willow displayed the same behaviors as the previous enrichment note. He has his tail wrapped as he sleeps and raises his head when i open the kennel door - wide neutral eyes he has no reaction when i speak to him but hisses and stands with a mid level tail treating to the top part of his kennel when i reach in trying to pet.
4/14/25 FB61
Lying in cat bed upon approach, body and face neutral and tail curled lightly around his feet. He makes eye contact when spoken to and he flinches when offered treats and a catnip toy. I don’t push hands on interaction but when I check on him 15 minutes later he’s sitting up playing with this toy and all of his treats have been eaten!
GAN ---
ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued
VOCAL:: Quiet
CHARACTER TYPE: : Curious,Timid,Independent
POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Adult cat socialization
Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavior flyers for more information.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3
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 Willow would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment.
Willow may warm up in his new home quicker if there is another resident cat. Hoarding cats are usually more socialized with and more comfortable with other cats and less so with humans. Willow can then observe and learn how to slowly become more social by watching the resident cat interact with the owner.
BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Willow was sitting upright in the back of his kennel as the assessor approached, body and face neutral, eyes slightly squinted and tail wrapped around feet. Willow made eye contact when spoken to and he shifted his weight as the kennel door opened. Willow tolerated petting along his head and body while flinching but remaining seated in position. Pick up was not attempted at this time to reduce stress.
4/18/25
Laying in his bed, Willow has a relaxed/neutral face and body when approaches and slow blinks when the assessor speak to him; however, his eyes dilated and he quickly stands with a mid level tail and body when the assessor steps closer and brings in their hand for contact. He jumps to the top part of the kennel where he sits with a tense body, hunched in shoulders and wide/alert eyes closing watching the assessor. Willow hisses when the assessor brings in their hand and flinches backing himself into the corner where he wrapped his tail tightly around his legs and lip licks. He avoids the assessors hand by jumping down quickly and with a low body retreating to the cubby area where he lays in his litter box with a crouched posture, hunched shoulders and wide dilated eyes. Pick up was not attempted.
Willow is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is very apprehensive of people and while showing no aggressive behaviors, he does attempt to flee and avoid human contact. It is difficult to predict if he will respond to socialization but we recommend offering high value treats and food to help build a positive association to humans. Oftentimes a cat from a previous hoarding situation will adjust quicker if there's another cat in the house. Please be mindful that older cats will require more time and skill in order for them to be comfortable around people. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.
* PLEASE NOTE * KITTENS under the age of 8 weeks or weighing 2 pounds or less CAN ONLY be PULLED by a RESCUE!!!! IF INTERESTED, PLEASE contact a RESCUE ASAP!!!
For more information on adopting from the NYC AC&C, or to find a rescue to assist, please read the following:
If you are local to NYC, and within 3-4 hrs of NYS and NJ and you are SERIOUS about adopting or fostering one of the animals at NYC ACC, please follow the instructions here or message our FB page with our experienced volunteers that 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.*
If you can get to the shelters in NYC:
(212) 788-4000 (wait through the prompts to reach a live person)
Unfortunately we had to remove all the hyperlinks to their websites to see if this was the reason our posts kept getting flagged from FB. The one main link will bring you to many of the ACC outlets of their page such as what we have posted below.
Emergency At Risk Placement list, Emergency outcome list, Location and Hours, List of New Hope shelter rescue partners - You will have to navigate through their site. If you type in nycacc (with out the and) .org all in one word into your browser it should take you onto their main site. You will have to navigate through their site depending what you are looking for. Unfortunately we can't do it here as it creates the direct hyperlink to their site which may be the cause of our posts being flagged by FB. We hope this solves the issue for us.
Email - [email protected]
Animals available for adoption: nycacc.app
***IMPORTANT*** PLEASE READ IN REGARDS TO SCAMMERS.
Please DO NOT send in any pledges UNLESS this PAGE has made the official update. You will know if it's legit by looking at the top header of our page with the rescue information following a donation link to the rescues site or paypal information. We also post the update on the threads but we do ask for all safety purposes to make sure the HEADER matches the comment line. The HEADER is what's most important to follow since only an admins has access to edit info on this page and make those notations. Sadly many scammers claim they have pulled the cat and post a bogus paypal. Please beware. If you suspect someone is posting a scam post please notify us via DM. Thank you
