KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Cat Previously lived with: 3 adults, 3 cats, 1 small dog Behavior toward strangers: Mike hides initially, is shy and timid, and will hiss, growl, and swat when approached. He can warm up - it takes over two weeks - to be tolerant of strangers and visitors, but is generally shy and defensively aggressive around them. Behavior toward children: Mike previously lived with a child from the time they were 6 years old to 18. Mike warms up before two weeks with children and is generally tolerant around children. Behavior toward cats: Mike previously lived with three other cats. He warms up before two weeks with other cats and will play rough with them. Behavior toward dogs: Mike previously lived with one small dog. He will warm up before two weeks to dogs and is friendly and playful with dogs. Bite or Scratch history: or brushed, but does not break skin. He swats when approached by strangers, but again has never broken skin. Litter box trained: yes. Mike had access to two litterboxes in the home, both located in the hallway. Both litterboxes were covered and had unscented, non-clumping, clay litter. Mike recently started "spraying" on laundry - but had previously never exhibited this behavior. There are other cats in the home and Mike is able to see outdoor cats. He is not reported to be having litterbox accidents. Mike shared 2 litter boxes in a 3-cat household. Energy level/descriptors: medium energy, friendly, affectionate, playful Other notes: Mike is unbothered when picked up and held. He will nip (doesn't break skin) when brushed or when placed in a carrier. It is unknown how he reacts when his nails are trimmed. Mike spends most of his time in the living room or at the window. He is generally not interested in playtime with the family, but when he does engage in play he plays gently. He scratches on cardboard. He has no reported behavior issues. Mike eats both wet and dry cat food.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Mellow,Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Timid

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: Due to fearfulness, no young children under 13 years old.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Mike was in his den hissing and growling upon approach. He didn't come out for soft-talk or treats, but tolerated petting all over with the scratch tool while low-growling. After the assessor closed the door and turned around, they noticed he came out of his den and was sitting on top lip-licking with dilated pupils. Approaching slowly with slow-blinks, Mike first relaxed into a crouch, and then a loaf position. He was wary of the scratch tool at first, leaning back as it came closer, but relaxed and appreciated petting on his head, cheeks and back once contact was made. He continued to low-growl. The assessor didn't attempt pick up due to high FAS. Mike is a fearful tolerant cat, that has reported and observed in-shelter stranger danger. With a slow-enough approach, he can be quite tolerant. He tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more timid, 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.