KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Cat Previously lived with: Adults and another cat (Cherry). Behavior toward strangers: He prefers contact on his own terms, will warm up after some time. Behavior toward children: No experience. Behavior toward cats: Curious, friendly after a slow introduction. Behavior toward dogs: No experience. Bite or Scratch history: No history. Litter box training: No issues reported. Energy level/descriptors: Low Energy Level. Other notes: Benny can be skittish when there are loud noises but will usually want to be around people. He will lean in for pets when in a quiet calm environment. He enjoys chasing and pouncing on toys as well as watching out a window. He will squirm and hiss when having his nails trimmed. Benny is not picky, he eats wet and dry food and loves Churu's. Upon intake, Benny was shutdown but allowed handling.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 09/14/26 FB47 Benny is in his den as I approach. When I lift the curtain, he emerges. He begins hissing and swatting at the glass of the kennel while growling. I sit in front of the kennel, he jumps up to his ledge and watches me closely from above. After a few minutes he has settled into a loaf position and slow blinks. 09/19/26 FB47 Benny is in his den upon approach. As I slowly attempt to lift the den cover, he exits the den quickly hissing and growling. I remove the tool and quickly close the door. Benny sits half way out of his den staring at me with a tense face and body. He growls lowly. I sit outside the kennel talking to him quietly and slow blinking. After a few minutes he settles, slow blinks once, and goes back into his den. 9/22/26 FB61 Today I try to coax Benny out of his den using treats and a catnip toy, however he remains hidden in his den. He growls, hisses and swats at his den walls when I open the kennel door. I keep the interaction brief to reduce stress. Needs more time - hopefully he explores the offerings when I leave the room. 9/24/26 ACFR98 Benny was inside the den with his head sticking out and eyes fully dilated. When the kennel door was opened he fled out of the side of the den with his body tense. He came forward for a tray of churu pushed towards him but he did not eat them and remained watchful of the assessor. 9/26/26 FB47 Benny is in his den as I open the kennel door to greet him. I place a try of treats inside and lean the door closed. Benny slowly emerges, his face and body tense. His pupils are dilated and his ears slant back. We look at one another for a while. I speak to him softly and slow blink. He looks back at me remaining tense. 9/28/26 FB47 Benny is in his den. I open the kennel door a little and he sticks his head out of the den door. He looks at me with a tense face and enlarged pupils. His ears remain forward. I sit and talk to him for a little as he sticks his head out. I slowly enter the kennel with the scratcher tool. He sniffs at it cautiously but does not escalate. I will work on getting him familiar with the tool. 10/2/26 FB79 After being moved to the holding room Benny seems to be settling down and a bit more calm but is still wary of potential contact; he was perched at the side of the den with his paws tucked and his eyes neutral. He had no reaction when i spoke but when i started to open the kennel he hissed and spit whit his eyes widening. I left treats at the front of him and ended the interaction. 10/5/26 FB47 Benny is in his den upon approach. When I open the kennel door and greet half of his face becomes visible from the den door. He’s not pleased to see me but does not escalate. He keeps a watchful eye on me as I slide him a catnip toy, a tray of treats and remove his den door cover. I close the kennel again and slowly lift the kennel curtain. We look at one another through the glass. Benny sits in a tense loaf position with a slightly tense face.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Please see relevant behavioral flyers.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 4

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 9/6/26 The assessor approaches Benny’s covered kennel. As they put their hand on the kennel cover, Benny begins to loudly growl. The assessor moves the kennel cover to the side to look into the kennel. Benny is at the back of his kennel. He looks at the assessor with enlarged pupils. His face is tense with his whiskers pulled back, side slanted ears and narrowed eyes. He lets out a large hiss and swats forward. Once he has settled slightly the assessor begins to slowly open the kennel door. Benny quickly lunges forward yowling, his body is extremely tense with his fur standing on end. The assessor closes the kennel door. Benny begins attacking the kennel door and cover for 5 seconds before retreating to the rear of his kennel. Assessment is ended due to extremely high FAS. 10/6/26 Benny is inside of his den upon approach. When the assessor lifts the kennel cover, he lunges and swats hard at the glass of his den. He has wide eyes with dilated pupils and flattened ears, keeping his arms in a tense position in front of him. The assessor places in treats and slowly brings a scratcher tool toward him. Benny low growls and then lunges at the tool, swatting harshly at it. About 40 seconds after the tool is removed and the kennel door is shut, he slowly settles into a more relaxed sitting position inside his den, and returns a few slow blinks with the assessor, though startles and widens his eyes at any noises from the hall. Benny is not open to interaction at this time and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. Because his previous owner reports "he can be skittish when there are loud noises but will usually want to be around people leaning in for pets when in a quiet calm environment" and has no history of behavioral issues in a home environment, we believe the behavior seen in the care center is shelter-specific and this cat would make a great pet, but is really struggling in the shelter environment. This cat is suitable for adopters with previous cat experience who are willing to work with a cat who needs time and patience to help him adjust to their new home.