Kelp

My story

** 652 in pledges for the rescue that pulls ** Kelp is back in the market for a new home! After being surrendered by his owners on March 22nd and reclaimed shortly after, his family ultimately made the decision to return him to the shelter on April 2nd. Now, Kelp is looking for someone who will stay by his side for the long haul and give him the care and support he needs for a long, healthy, and happy life. Kelp's owners noted he previously had a rectal prolapse, which was repaired at their vet; but when his owners noticed the prolapse recurring they surrendered him to ACCT Philly on 3/22. However, upon examination by a vet, there was no indication of a rectal prolapse at that time. While Kelp's family reclaimed him on 3/28, they returned him to the shelter again on 4/2 stating the prolapse was back. Kelp was examined by a veterinarian and it was determined there was no indication of rectal prolapse. While Kelp is continuing to be monitored for a recurrence of his prolapse, at this time he appears to be in overall good health. Sadly, while Kelp is physically healthy at this time, the shelter environment has affected him quite a bit emotionally, leaving him terrified, stressed, and lashing out at staff who attempt to handle him. Kelp desperately needs someone to take a chance on him, giving him the loving and supportive environment he needs to decompress from the shelter and adjust to his new life! Check out handsome boy Kelp's full notes below. Kelp’s owners first surrendered him on 3/22, citing medical concerns that were beyond their capacity to care for or afford. The owners informed staff that they had Kelp’s rectal prolapse repaired a few days prior, then took him to the ER when he became unresponsive and was vomiting 36 hours after surgery. The suture repairing his prolapse was removed, and Kelp was given an enema per his owners. Unfortunately, the prolapse recurred after this treatment, and his owners opted to surrender him. Staff noted after Kelp was surrendered that he had “no visible prolapse noticed when in back office, but got too worked up to fully examine.” Kelp was scheduled for a sedated exam due to his fractious behavior. On 3/26, staff noted during his sedated exam that he had yellowing of his teeth and was overweight at 16.86 pounds. They added: “Cat was surrendered for an episode of constipation that apparently resulted in a rectal prolapse. On sedated exam, cat is NOT constipated and rectum/anus are WNL. He has been defecating normally in our care. Owner was contacted to see if they wish to reclaim. If not, cat is medically clear for all pathways at this time.” After reaching his owners, Kelp was subsequently reclaimed. Sadly, Kelp’s family brought him back to the shelter on 4/2, noting that his prolapse had recurred and they were unable to financially provide for his care anymore. They noted that his prolapse had recurred on 3/31/25 around 11pm, but that Kelp hadn’t been eating or drinking much since this happened so the prolapse appeared to have reduced on its own. Examination by a veterinarian confirmed there was no rectal prolapse at the time of surrender. Medical notes: Staff noted on 4/3 that Kelp was “reportedly not eating or drinking. FAS 5/5, unable to handle. Starting gabapentin liquid to be given orally if able, or mixed in food.” Staff noted on 4/9: "Has normal, formed stool in litterbox this AM. However there were a few spots of dilute blood and possibly urine on the floor (small spots). There was urine in the litterbox as well. Will continue to monitor." Staff noted on 4/16: "Removed medical monitor sheet which had been placed in kennel bag 4/3. Kelp has been staying in our office since 4/7. During the first 1-2 days in office a small amount of dilute blood was seen in his urine; however, he has had no further apparent urinary concerns and is using his litterbox normally. He eats (both dry and wet food) and drinks heartily, and his stools have been normal - no diarrhea or apparent constipation noted. We have not noticed any further issues with him since he moved into the office." Staff noted on 4/20: "Kelp was noted this AM to have a small rectal prolapse. However, 2 hours later the prolapse had resolved on its own." Staff noted on 4/21: "Ate a strip of plastic that had fallen on the floor the evening of 4/20, so monitoring him for any stool issues/constipation." Behavioral notes: Staff also noted on 4/3: “Kelp was very scared and displaying defensive aggression after escaping his carrier in the cat transfer room. Was hiding in corner growling and swatting when approached. Was able to get him to run into a feral den and place the lid on - didn't attempt to handle him.” Staff noted on 4/8: "Kelp has been coming out at night while no one is in the office to eat, drink, and use the litterbox. He was sitting on a chair when we came in yesterday morning and hung out there for a bit, but then retreated to his carrier. He is very shy and avoidant but has not been reactive. When I sit near his carrier and talk to him, he watches me closely but no longer growls or puts his ears back, so it seems that he is slowly adjusting." Staff noted on 4/13: "Kelp is doing AMAZING this week! He is still shy and nervous of any loud sounds, so he spends much of the day in his kennel. However, with some encouragement he will come out and solicit attention by rubbing up against your legs, purring, and allowing pets. He's even starting to build enough confidence to come out of his kennel of his own volition when he wants some attention, and at one point laid down next to my chair to make some biscuits! He allowed all handling of his tail, feet, and belly, and even let a staff member briefly hold him on their lap (though he squirmed away pretty quickly). He definitely needs a slow approach but is such a sweet boy. Loves chin scritches." Staff noted on 4/14: "Kelp has made a major turn around from a shy and scared orange ball to a sweet and well mannered boy. He still gets scared of quick movements or doors opening but has started coming out of his kennel to solicit attention. He adores being pet, even going as far as to show off his belly! He needs a slow approach and someone who is going to show him that people aren't scary. Once he starts building trust in you, he loves to people watch or make biscuits. He has let me pick him up and hold him for about 15 seconds before he became wiggly and wanted down. When a new person entered the room, Kelp saw us talking and confidently trotted up to them! Immediately began soliciting pets and booty scritches." Staff noted on 4/15: "Kelp continues to thrive in the office! He remains a shy boy, and will hiss and hide if there are any sudden noises or movements that startle him. However, he has become so much more social and is constantly seeking out attention and pets. He LOVES to be groomed with the grooming glove, and will even flop down on his back and let you pet his belly. 10/10 excellent boy." Staff noted on 4/17: "Initially allowed us to restrain him while attempting to draw blood for combo test, but when he felt the needle he became fractious - unable to obtain blood for test." ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details. If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/ Confirmed placement is considered confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent. All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly's Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Kelp, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.