KNOWN HISTORY:: Professor was originally brought in as a stray; with no known information on his behavior history in a home environment. Upon intake Professor was very friendly, leaning into pets and allowing all handling. Professor was adopted and then returned due to a BITE/SCRATCH incident in the home. An individual was at the owner's home. Professor initially allowed brief pets but as they turned to walk into a different room, he lunged at her back and began biting/scratching her right leg and arm, leaving several puncture wounds. The individual lost their balance and fell to the floor, and Professor bit her right wrist at this point, leaving a puncture that required a stitch. The adopter attempted to distract Professor and was able to lure him into a room where she was able to lock him in. Leading up to this incident, the adopter had contacted ACC for post-adoption counseling because the children in the home were picking Professor up repeatedly and running after him and it would cause him to scratch them. She was advised to teach the children appropriate handling and to give him space to adjust, and things were reportedly improving until the incident.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 9/6/26 ACFR Professor was upfront in his kennel. I offered some churu and he loved it. Very food motivated. I gave him some head scratches and he leaned into them happily. I pulled out a feather toy and he immediately started playing with it. Was being very playful and sweet during this interaction. I ended the session with some dry treats. 9/11/26 Opened his kennel into a double. He ate offered treats and seemed more relaxed sitting upright by the front. Alert with soft eyes, ears relaxed and forward.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Social,Shy ,Sweet,Curious

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: See relevant behavior flyers. Professor has a prior bite/scratch history. Please see known behavior history above.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to bite/scratch history, adult only home.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 8/2/26 Professor is laying on top of his karanda bed as the assessor approaches, eyes and body relaxed. When the kennel door is opened and he is spoken to, he gets down from the top of the karanda bed, stretching before approaching the front of the kennel to greet the assessor with a soft head bunt. He allows and leans into all petting, purring and raising his back as he is pet. He is able to be easily picked up and remains calm when held, continuing to purr as he is held. When placed back in the kennel, Professor remains at the front and continues to allow and lean into all further handling. 8/31/26 Professor is laying on top of his den, front paws hanging over the edge as he observes the room around him. When the kennel door is opened, he leans forward to sniff the assessor's hand, allowing and leaning into petting on the head and cheeks. He is able to be coaxed down from the top of the den with a squeeze up, quickly beginning to eat it as the assessor holds it out in front of him. Professor appears a bit unsure of his current environment, tensing, body rippling, and looking around the room as noises occur or as other cats begin to meow. He tolerates all petting, tail held high in a question mark position. Professor is slowly coaxed out of the kennel, hesitantly stepping out and lip licking. He is able to be easily picked up, remaining calm and purring when he is held. When he is placed back into the kennel, he remains at the front, continuing to allow and lean into all further petting and attention. 9/29/26 Professor is on top of his karanda bed. He comes forward immediately to greet the assessor with forward ears and moderately dilated eyes. He leans in for head scratches and body pets. The assessor pets him for several minutes, watching for signs of overstimulation. Professor remains calm and then suddenly, while leaning in for cheek pets, leans down to nip the assessors hand with light pressure. There is no broken skin or broken glove, and after Professor stays at the front looking neutral at the assessor. The interaction is ended to not further push Professor over threshold. Although Professor is social, tolerant, and friendly with handler in the shelter, he does exhibit overstimulation and have a bite/scratch history in his previous home that may require further investigation before placement in a home. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.