KNOWN HISTORY:: Garfield was brought in with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. Upon arrival Garfield was described as follows: Upon arrival the cat appeared to be nervous and overwhelmed by all the attention it was getting though sat quietly by the front door of the crate; he showed alertness though displayed no signs of aggression. He did begin to meow when the crate was being carried to the Holding Room; and he began to get more vocal upon entering the room and attempts were made to allow him to enter his kennel on his own - hissing and some light growing amid semi-frequent meowing. He would not move at all aside from turning his head to vocalize frustrations. The crate was placed back on the floor and with safety gloves on the cat allowed petting and handling within the crate and easily allowed to be turned around to be lifted out; he did grab the doorframe with his front paw claws but was otherwise placed into his kennel easily at which time he retreated to the back and hissed. Prior owner explained that the cat belongs to her and her son and that they have owned him for years. She stated that he would occasionally hiss at her, her son, and her grandson but nothing serious until there was an incident of him attacking the 3 of them. According to the officers that dropped him off, the cat was stated to be "vicious" and had scratched a 2 year old, however, upon further inquiry the cat did not break skin and no medical attention was needed. Officers stated that the cat had been friendly with them and was easily transported to MACC. No further information was given by the owner or by the police.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PRIOR ASSESSMENT 3/16/25 Garfield is laying in his litter box at the back of the kennel, body tense, eyes wide, and pupils dilated as the assessor approaches. He tolerates all petting with the scratcher tool, leaning away on initial contact when he is pet on the head and body rippling when he is pet down his shoulders and back. Crunchy treats are offered and he is softly spoken to and after a few moments he leans his head forward to begin eating them. He tolerates petting directly with the assessor's hands on his head and cheeks, but leans away, flinches, and slightly raises a paw when he is pet down his back, not escalating further, giving one hiss when the assessor slowly retracts their hand. Interaction is ended to reduce stress, and some treats are left in the kennel with him. 3/15/26 FB32 Curled up at back of kennel with tense body and wide eyes. When VS staff attempted to transfer him into a den by cornering Garfield, he hissed. After returning to his kennel from the medical exam, he retreats to the back of the kennel, sits up, and allows brief petting on the head. 3/19/26 Vol. Garfield was in loaf in his cubby, hissing when cubby door is opened, but remained calm and ate treats enthusiastically, allowing petting with the tool on his forehead, back of head and partway down his back, remaining stiff but with soft eyes, slightly dilated pupils and ears up. He tolerated brief pets on forehead by hand, and could not been coaxed into the main condo. Still fearful. 3/20/26 Vol. Garfield was in a cubby against the wall. He poked his head out and sniffed a peacock feather toy with ears forward. He played with the feather through the side entrance of the cubby. When the cubby door was opened, he maintained forward ears and a relaxed facial expression while actively batting the feather. He allowed light petting on the head and neck while eating Churu from a tray. 03/30/26 FB47 Garfield was a little apprehensive but sweet, laying in his litter box with large pupils. He sniffed treats but remained in place.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Mellow

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Social,Calm,Sweet,Affectionate

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Garfield has displayed fearful behavior during his 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 him 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. Garfield 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 [has warmed up significantly but initially he avoided contact and handling, hid, and would hiss before retreating with extended handling] strongly suggest that he will hide if allowed. Interact with him in this room until he seems sufficiently confident that you feel you can introduce him to the next part of the home without running the risk that he will hide. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to help introduce your cat to the home.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 2

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: Due to behavior described by previous owner and fearful behavior observed in the care center, a home without very young children is recommended. No children under age 13, respectful older children only. Counselor discretion.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Garfield is laying in his litter box, body and eyes neutral as the assessor approaches, not moving from the litter box when the kennel door is opened. Crunchy treats are offered and he leans forward to sniff at them but doesn't eat them. After some soft talking, Garfield begins to purr and make soft eye contact. Petting is attempted and he allows all petting, leaning in, closing his eyes, and softly head bunting when he is pet on the head, cheeks, and under his chin. Garfield is unable to be coaxed out of the litter box so full pickup is not attempted. He remains tolerant of all handling throughout the interaction and allows the assessor to apply light pressure to his sides and under his chest without any issue. Garfield interacts with the observer and appreciates attention. He is easy to handle and tolerates all petting. He benefits from a slow approach, and we recommend that he go to a home with some cat experience preferred and be well counseled in fearfulness and decompression/new home adjustment periods.