KNOWN HISTORY:: Winter was brought in without information on his behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PRIOR ASSESSMENT 5/4/26 Winter has begun warming up since his arrival in the Care Center, and while a little bit fearful and wary, he now allows petting under some conditions. He hissed when first approached with treats on the scratcher tool, but then sniffed them and began eating them, and then allowed petting with the tool. On a second approach, he hissed again, but this time sniffed the treats in the assessor’s hand and began eating them and allowed petting on his head. He needs time to continue warming up. 5/2/26 Winter was crouched by the front of his kennel, hissing and spitting when the shoreline cover was lifted, and quickly ended the interaction to help him calm down and reduce his stress. 5/3/26 FB09 Winter was hunched on top of his den, low growling with his tail curled around his body. When offering treats on the click stick, he cautiously began licking them up, returning slow blinks. He eventually backed away from the click stick occasionally low grumbling, showing no further interest in the interaction. 5/7/26 Vol. After making eye contact, Winter charged at the glass of the cubby window, then backed up slowly, stepping one paw behind the other, head slightly down, pupils slightly dilated, one ear back, whiskers down. When I moved to open the latch of the cubby, he charged the glass again and hissed. Unable to lure him to the ledge with treats. Still exhibiting distancing behaviors. 5/10/26 Vol. Resting in litter box. Hissed and grumbled when I sat down in front. Briefly sniffed a tray of chicken and Temptations but didn't eat any and continued grumbling. Hissed and swatted at the door when I started to open it again. Checked back after 5 minutes and still hadn't eaten any treats.  5/13/26 Seems under the weather. He was resting in the main compartment, watching from a distance. Curious when offer treats but ignores it and slowly sniffs the scratcher tool retreating. 5/17/26 Vol. Resting in cubby, facing forward, eyes only slightly dilated. Remained impassive during sweet talk, with resting grumpy face. Initially leaned forwards towards a cup of Temptations and squeeze-up, then tensed and sat up to back away. Had not eaten from breakfast tray in cubby. Lay back down in loaf position after a minute but didn't eat. Checked back after 5 minutes and hadn't eaten, had huge snot bubble coming out of his nose. Seemed very sick. Leaned away from scratcher tool. 5/19/26 Vol. Curled up in small cubby with tail wrapped around body and feet tucked under. Gave me some slow blinks at first and then hissed. Ate some Squeeze-ups from the clicker. Backed away from the cat dancer. Tried to scratch him with the tool but he was definitely not interested. Followed the laser with his eyes for a short time. Enjoyed eating a dish of tuna. Not interested in playing with toys at this time.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period,Adult cat socialization

Potential challenges comments:: See relevant behavior flyers. Winter is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is very apprehensive of people and presents distance-increasing behaviors, hissing, hiding, swatting hard, and lunging to avoid contact. It is difficult to predict if he will respond to socialization, but we recommend offering high value treats and food to help build a positive association to humans. Please be mindful that older cats will require more time and skill in order for them to be comfortable around people. Please speak to an adoption counselor to learn more about socialization techniques.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to behavior observed in the care center, adult only home.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Earlier in the day, the assessor observes Winter sitting upright in the kennel, hissing, swatting, and lunging at the glass as they approach. He is given a kennel cover and given some time before interaction is attempted again later in the day. Later on, during a second interaction, Winter is at the back of the kennel in a loaf position, body tense and pupils dilated as the assessor approaches. He initially accepts crunchy treats but after a short while he moves closer to the back wall of the kennel, beginning to low growl. When petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, he leans away, body tense, tolerating some petting on the head and cheeks but remaining very tense and leaning away to avoid contact as he is pet. Pickup is not attempted due to observed behavior. Winter tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter and may be intimidated by small children. He may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to his new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.