KNOWN HISTORY:: Buddy was brought in with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. Buddy has a bite history: Previous owner stated that he called the police due to no longer feeling safe in the home with Buddy. Owner stated that he suffered a stroke and that on 2/24/2024 at around 5pm he was walking down the hallway when he stumbled and fell onto Buddy and that Buddy scratched and bit him on his right arm leaving behind scratches and puncture wounds that he self treated at home. Owner stated that since Saturday Buddy has been hissing and growling every time he walks by and that he is afraid that Buddy will scratch him again.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 2/29/24 In cat den, initially hidden from view. He pokes his head out when offered a tray of tuna and he watches me with a tense expression an dilated pupils. He stretches his head out towards the treats but he is too nervous to leave his den completely. I push the treats closer to him and he hisses once. I speak to him softly and he softens his face a bit before sniffing and eating the treats. Will continue to build positive associations! 3/1/24 In his den, hisses when the cage door is opened and pokes his head out with eyes wide and dilates, face tense. I offer him a tray with various treats and he pokes his head out and begins to eat the treats after he hisses at me and I step back. I watch and click to mark each time he eats from the tray. He hisses as I refill the tray but continues to eat!! 3/3/24 He pokes his head out when offered treaties and watches me for a few moments with a tense face and dilated pupils. When the room empties I am able to coax him out of his den halfway with squeeze-ups. He is not yet ready for petting but he softens his face and slow-blinks gently as I continue to speak to him gently and offer more treats. He sniffs his scented toy as well - hopefully he will investigate it more thoroughly later. Has potential! 3/8/24 In his den and hisses with his head poked out as I lift the cage cover, eyes wide but he appears slightly curious! He comes out of his den more as I open the cage to place down a tray with squeeze up and comes out fully to begin eating from it. I click to mark each time he eats and eats in front of me, as well as when he eats directly from the squeeze up tube that I hold! Definitely more bold, he comes to the front of the cage to sniff my finger through the cage door and steps back before slowly raising a paw (without claws) and swipes slowly and doesn't make contact. he eats the dry treats I place down since he's still sniffing around at the front. 3/14/24 Clicker training session today! He's in his den initially and he pokes his head out when spoken to. He gives me one hiss and a slow-blink, and he steps forward with a low body to reach the treats I left at the front of his kennel. He begins to eat them and I click and reward with more each time he tolerates a touch on the head. He does flinch with each touch but he does not escalate further or retreat. He is not yet ready for petting. 3/21/24 In his den and pokes his head out with his ears tilted flat back and face tense, eyes wide and dilated. He leans and comes forward to eat the pieces of chicken placed down. He sniffs the tool i slowly hold out to him and hisses but is slightly tolerant of touch as he continues to eat the chicken before I lightly toss some dry treats but he doesn't come all of the way out to eat it.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Other,Fearful

Potential challenges comments:: Due to the circumstances of Buddy's bite (please see known history for more details) the behavior team cannot be sure if Buddy will bite again in his new environment unless somehow provoked or not. It is likely that Buddy is experiencing some PTSD which is compounding any behavioral issues that have been observed here in the shelter. Buddy came in with no known history in his previous home outside of what is known about his bite.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Buddy was in his cat den as the assessor approached, body and face initially hidden from view. Buddy poked his head out to watch the assessor with a tense expression and squinted eyes when spoken to and he hissed and hid as the kennel door opened. Buddy swatted the assessor's hand as it reached towards him. Buddy 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 does not currently tolerate petting or handling. he behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.