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

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 2/2/26 FB73 Poquito is crouched forward in her den, eyes wide and pupils dilated, hissing as the den cover is lifted. She is tolerant of petting with the scratcher tool on the head and cheeks but leans away, swatting at the tool. When the den cover is slowly placed back, she begins hissing again, swatting at the den door. 2/4/26 Vol. Poquito was sitting up on her haunches against the back wall of the cubby, eyes wide, pupils dilated and licking her lips. She licked the purée off the tool and allowed pets on her head and body with the back of the tool. She came forward for crunchy treats, but dodged attempts to pet her by hand and then hissed. Needs a bit more time. 2/6/26 Vol. Poquito was asleep in the cubby when I approached. She watched the slow movements of a peacock feather approaching her with dilated pupils and forward ears. As the feather got closer to her, she rose to a seated position and allowed light petting on the forehead with the feather. Once I closed the cubby door, she lied down against the back wall. She repeated this process when offered Churu on an extendable stick. As the treat got closer to her, she sat up slowly then ate the Churu. She allowed more light petting on her head and eventually light petting on her body with the peacock feather while eating a mixture of wet & dry treats. I left her with a peacock feather and a few Temptations added to her dry food bowl. 2/8/26 Vol. Poquito stayed crouched down in the back of her side cubby upon approach. I put some squeeze up in a cup she didn't eat or respond. I talked yo her and used the scratcher gently and she tolerated it. I then was able to pet her for about 2 minutes, and gave some slow blinks, then she growled so I stopped. I tried again, at which point she swatted at my hand. I left her with a toy. 2/12/26 FB32 Lying down curled up at back of den. Allows petting on the head, slightly leans in for cheek rubs. When stroking her body, she looks back and then sits up. Continues to tolerate more cheek rubs, then lies down at end of interaction. 2/13/26 Vol. Meatloafed in hidey box (clear front) watching. Tried laser toy, she watched, sometimes turning her head but also watching the toy and hand. Turned off toy and put in treat bowl, she ignored. Approached entry with hard treat on scratcher tool, she meowed but did not move. Let rest, removed and dropped treat. Approached entry again and she went into a crouch and huddled by box side. Let tool rest, removed an ended interaction. Put in Feliway square. 2/15/26 Vol. Poquito was in crouch position in the den, with her whiskers straight out to the sides. She never hissed or swatted during the interaction. But when I tried to pet her with the scratcher tool, she quickly backed away. I removed the scratcher, talked to her for a bit, and ended the interaction.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Poquito should be given a slow introduction to the home, one room at a time starting in a small room like a bathroom with food, litter and water because behaviors seen at the Care Center [avoids contact, hisses, hides in den] strongly suggest that she will hide if allowed. Interact with her in this room until she seems sufficiently confident that you feel you can introduce her to the next part of the home without running the risk that she will hide. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to help introduce your cat to the home. Poquito 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:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: Due to behaviors presented at the care center, no children under age 13, respectful older children only. Counselor discretion.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Poquito is laying in her den, eyes wide, pupils dilated, and body tense as the assessor approaches. When the den cover is lifted, she hisses, swatting hard at the den door. Petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, and she is tolerant of all petting with the tool but continues hissing as she is pet, pressing herself against the back wall to avoid contact. Treats are offered but she doesn't respond to them. When the den cover is slowly placed back, Poquito leans forward, hisses, and strikes the den door hard. Poquito tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. She may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to her new home. We recommend this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, she 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.