KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 1 adult, 1 cat Behavior toward strangers: He growls and hisses at strangers. It takes him two weeks or longer to warm up to new people. Behavior toward children: No experience. Behavior toward cats: He hisses, growls, swats, nips, and bites other cats. He has previously lived with one other cat. Behavior toward dogs: No experience. Bite or Scratch history: Client stated that Exabyte has bitten 10+ times in the past. Client stated Exabyte has broken skin with himself and the other resident cat. Client stated that there are no obvious triggers to these incidents. Client stated on 5/4 he was sitting in the living room, petting Exabyte. Client stated that Exabyte began to growl and hiss. Client moved his arm away and Exabyte grabbed his arm with extended nails, and bit his arm. Client stated that Exabyte bit, released, and then ran from the room. Client received two punctures which were treated at home.Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: High Other notes: He struggles, hisses, growls, and bites when his nails are trimmed, when his coat is brushed, when he is picked up, and when he is placed in a carrier. He is an independent, solitary, cat. He likes to watch from afar and prefers contact on his own terms. He spends most of his time in the bedroom and the living room. He plays rough (bites skin, nails extended), and likes toys that crinkle. In his previous home he received interactive play about once a day. He likes to scratch vertical surfaces. He eats dry and wet food. He is reported to nip/swat when pet for too long, bite people, and scratch people. In his previous home he had access to one, automatic, litterbox located in the bedroom. He shared the box with one other cat. He used scented, clumping, litter.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 5/8/26 FB58 In his den and hidden from view, cannot coax out - I close the den portal and remove the den cover. I then am able to see him pressed to the back of the den with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated, sitting up with his tail wrapped tightly. He is tolerant of touch with the tool but remains tense and frozen and gives no direct response. Shows a very high level of FAS. 5/15/26 FB58 In his den and hidden from view - I close the den door and he hisses, begins to low growl as the den cover is removed. Once it is fully removed, he is sitting up at the back of the cage with a tense face and body pressed against the back with eyes wide and dilated, ears tilted. I spend some time trying to fix the linen in his den with the hook to make it easier to get his portal door fully closed. He low growls and remains frozen the whole time. When I offer him the tool, he immediately swats. I don't push for more and leave some treats. 5/19/26 FB06 As I open the door, Exabyte is inside the den low growling. I can see the “glowing” eyes inside the den as I offer him the scratcher. He hisses at and then spits. I lift the den cover but his bedding is pressed against the glass. 5/21/26 FB61 In cat den upon approach, body and face tense. She hisses and begins swatting at her den door as I open her kennel, so I do not push petting at this time. I leave some squeeze-ups, spray her cage cover with feliway and speak to her softly before ending the session. 5/21/26 FB25 He is inside of his den and hidden from view as I opened kennel door. I can hear low growling right away. I put Churu on scratcher and began to inch it toward the den opening, but growling became louder and he swat at the door. I did not push any further. 5/29/26 FB58 In his den, hisses and lunges as his cage cover is lifted. When I then lift his den cover, his again low growls with a low and tense body, eyes wide and dilated, ears tilted, and hunched. he looks around with wide eyes and has his head slightly tilted away from the room, side eyeing. I mark with "good job" when there is a pause in the low growling. At the end of the interaction I leave the cage cover up for a little bit but replace the den cover, and he lunges. I place a treat tray near his den.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Pet-induced aggression,Overstimulation,Fearful,Uncomfortable with pick up,Other,Adult cat socialization,Carrier aversion

Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavior flyers for more information. Please see behavior note in GAN for further explanation of behaviors and how to apply a behavior modification plan. When he Hisses: Immediately stop all movement. Do not speak. Give him a clear exit path. Playtime: Use long-handled toys only. Never use hands or feet as toys Socializing: Let him exist in the same room without touching him. Reward "calm proximity" with treats. Medical: Consult a vet about Gabapentin or other anti-anxiety meds to lower his "reactivity threshold."

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No other cats OR multi-cat home with adopters experienced with introducing new cats,Single-pet home,Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Exabyte was in his cat den as the assessor approached, body and face tense with his tail wrapped tightly around his body. Exabyte remained hidden and frozen when spoken to (his pupils dilated as he avoided eye contact) and he remained hidden in his den as the kennel door opened. Exabyte tolerated petting along his head and body from within his den while flattening his ears and rippling the fur along his lower back. Otherwise, he stayed completely still. Pick up was not attempted at this time to reduce stress. Because Exabyte has a history of 10+ skin-breaking bites, he is considered a high-risk animal. Due to prior owner history (see separate notes) and a bite/scratch history, the behavior team believes he should be released for rescue at this time.