KNOWN HISTORY:: When initially brought to the shelter, Everglades was found with 2 other cats, so it is possible he has lived with other cats. Indoor Previously lived with: 1 adult Behavior toward strangers: Everglades is reported to be shy, timid, hiding and actively avoids or retreats. He is reported to hiss, growl and swat. Behavior toward children: No reported experience. Behavior toward cats: No reported experience. Behavior toward dogs: No reported experience. Bite or Scratch history: No reported bite history Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: Not reported Other notes: Everglades likes to sit in a window and his demeanor is quiet. He never received interactive play in this home. He ate both wet and dry food. He used an uncovered litterbox that was placed in the bathroom. Upon intake, Everglades was moved to the den easily, but hissed while being scanned for a microchip so no further handling was attempted

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PRIOR ASSESSMENT 3/31/26 Everglades is in the back of his cubby, looking towards the portal exit and holding up a paw as if to flee, body tense and pupils dilated as the assessor approaches. When the kennel door is opened, he hisses, pressing himself closer to the back wall. Everglades is tolerant of all petting with the scratcher tool but does not engage, remaining tense as he is pet. Pickup is not attempted due to observed behavior. PRIOR ASSESSMENT 4/30/26 Everglades was hunched in his cubby, eyes dilated, hissing upon opening the kennel door. He then cautiously stepped forward after seeing the treats and quickly began licking them up. After finishing the treats, he began biting and swatting at the click stick. 4/1/26 Resting facing the back hissing in place. He allows brief pets with the scratcher tool but remains hesitant throughout the interaction. He ate offered squeeze up treats but continues to hiss. Ended to help reduce stress. 4/3/26 Initially fearful and defensive crouching, hissing, and staying very alert but shows curiosity. He may retreat at first yet is willing to engage slowly. Food helps build trust, and he can be gently petted on the head once he starts to relax. Overall, he’s shy and needs time to acclimate but shows clear potential to become more comfortable and affectionate with patience. 4/7/26 FB73 Everglades is sitting upright at the back of his cubby, body tense, crouched, and hissing as the cubby door is opened. He tolerant of petting on the head with the scratcher tool for a few seconds before pulling back. Everglades allows the assessor to slowly place treats in front of him using the scratcher tool, and he hesitantly leans forward to sniff at them before eating them. 4/8/26 Hisses, retreats, and spat when spoken softly to. However, he was curious enough to sniff the scratcher tool allowing soft pets along the head. Hesitant throughout the interaction but after he engages the front and ate offered treats allowing hand pets on the head. Has potential to warm up given time. 04/11/26 FB47 Everglades was at the back of the cubby, appearing fearful, hunched, with somewhat dilated pupils and hissed on approach but sniffed treats, and when approached again allowed brief petting before hissing and swatting the assessor. 4/15/26 Sitting upright at the back of the main compartment, he hissed briefly but allowed some petting, showing lip licking. He ate the offered treats when left alone. Everglades was behind the empty box behind the privacy shield, wide eyed with ears up. He hisses quickly, then quiets down. He swatted at the tool extended slowly with the treat, but allowed himself to be pet on the head and top of the head and forehead by hand later. When extending the treat on the tool again, he swatted at it, so his fear seems directed towards the tool rather than direct interaction. GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Curious,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period,Adult cat socialization

Potential challenges comments:: See relevant behavior flyers. Everglades 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/her 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. Everglades is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is very apprehensive of people and 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. Please be mindful that older cats will require more time and skill in order for them to be comfortable around people. Please speak to an adoption counselor to learn more about socialization techniques. While Everglades has settled into the care center, he has proven himself a cat who loves to play! Everglades would benefit from distance-increasing toys to help dispel his energy and strengthen his relationship with an adopter.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: Due to behavior observed in the care center no children under age 13, respectful older children only. Counselor discretion.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Everglades is laying in his litter box, head up and ears forward, observing the assessor as they approach. When the kennel door is opened, he leans away and hisses. Everglades is offered crunchy treats and after a few moments he slowly approaches the front of the kennel to eat them, tail held low. When petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, he is tolerant of brief petting on the head before leaning away, hissing, and retreating to the top of his den. More treats are placed in front of him, and he hesitantly leans forward to begin eating them. When he is softly spoken to and petting is attempted once more, he leans away, hissing and swatting at the tool without claws to avoid contact. Interaction is ended to reduce stress. Everglades tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, he may not be a great fit for young children. Any home with older children prepared to adopt this cat should conduct a thorough interaction and endeavor to monitor this cat around their children to prevent these behaviors from being reinforced.