KNOWN HISTORY:: Joaquin was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on her behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 9/9/24 FB79 Inside her den out of sight, i left the den cover for a better view and she has her tail tightly wrapped around her legs as well as her eyes now wide and dilated. Joaquin hisses when i toss some treats near her den opening as well as when the pointer tool is slowly introduced into her den; she hisses once again but allows me to pet on her head and down her back. I leave some catnip toys and some high value treats for the bother and respect her space. 9/12/24 FB58 In her den and hisses when the cage door is opened. Cannot be coaxed out of her den and again hisses when the den cover is removed, sitting with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated. She is tolerant of touch with the scratcher tool but remains tense and frozen. 9/18/24 FB58 In den and cannot coax out with treats or when spoken to softly. I leave her some treats outside of the den for her to eat later on her own. 9/24/24 FB1261 In cat den upon approach, body and face initially hidden from view. She remains hidden when I leave some treats by her cat den door but I hear her stirring when I attempt lifting the den cover to get a look at her. She pokes her head out with a low body and looks around as if wanting to flee. I keep the interaction brief at this point and leave her a toy before ending the session. Needs time. 10/4/24 FB58 In her den and completely hidden, cannot be coaxed out. I place a tray with chicken filet on it near the den opening and she begins to low growl with her face visible in the den opening, face tense and eyes wide. I leave it for her to eat later when she is alone. 10/08/24 FB1261 In cat den upon approach, side of head visible as she peers out at me with a tense expression, dilated pupils and flat ears. She retreats completely when I open the kennel door and she begins hissing continuously when I leave some treats by her hiding spot. I do not push further interaction at this time. It appears as though she may be deteriorating - placement would be in her best interest at this time. 10/10/24 & 10/13/24 FB79 Joaquin is inside his den, where he low growls/grumbles when he sees me lift the den cover. He has no interest in any high value treats and continues to grumble when the pointer tool is used to pet around his body. 10/17/24 FB79 Not very happy boy :/ continues to hiss and low growl when i approach and hissed harshly at tool today when i attempted to pet. Left some treaties and a catnip toy for him nearby. 10/19/24 FB79 Today, Joaquin displayed similar behaviors as stated in the previous enrichment note. No swatting but continued hissing when being pet with the tool inside his den. 10/21/24 FB79 Very still today, Joaquin was inside his den and showed no reaction when the tool was slowly introduced for pets and when the den cover was lifted his eyes became wide and dilated but no hissing. Allowed pets on his cheeks and down his back and i left him some snacks and toys for later. GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Joaquin 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 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.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to the behavior seen in shelter and needing a longer time to warm up, the behavior team feels Joaquin would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 9/6/24 Joaquin was hiding in her cat den as the assessor approached, body and face tense and pupils dilated. When the assessor lifted the den cover Joaquin hissed and as the assessor reached into her den with the assess-a-hand Joaquin quickly retreated into her cubby with a low body and squished herself all the way against the back wall. Joaquin tolerated petting with the hand from the corner of her cubby while remaining very still, grumbling and beginning to lip lick, her tail wrapped tightly around her body. 10/6/24 During re-evaluation, Joaquin is inside his den out of sight, he starts to hiss when he hears the assessor open his kennel door; when the den cover is lifted Joaquin has wide/dilated eyes as he stands in front of the glass with tilted ears he continues to hiss. When the pointer tool is slowly introduced he raises a paw and hisses harshly as he watches it closely - while still hissing/grumbling Joaquin tolerates pets on his head and around his back. He continues to low grumble until the kennel door is closed and the interaction is ended. Pick up was not attempted. 11/6/24 Upon re-eval, Joaquin is in her den and hidden from view as she low growls and hisses and the assessor closes the portal door of the den. When they move to lift the clear door, she lunges once showing some defensive aggression, hissing and continuing to low growl, but spins and presses her body to the back of the den with a tense face and body, ears tilted to the side and eyes wide and dilated as she sits hunched. She is tolerant but tense when briefly and lightly touched with the scratcher tool along her cheeks and back. The assessor offers squeeze up in a tray and leaves it in the den as they go to get the Assess-A-Hand. When they return, she has eaten all of the treat and returns to the back of the den with a tense face and body. She hisses and low growls when the Assess-A-Hand is introduced but continues to display similar behavior as with the scratcher tool when touched/pet and is tolerant but tense with eyes wide. When the portal door is finally opened again, she runs out into the cubby and sits at the back with a hunched and tense body. She hisses when approached but tolerated pets with the tool even out of the den. Pick up is not attempted to prevent further FAS. Joaquin tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to her new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.