KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 1 adult, 3 children (10,12, 15) Behavior toward strangers: Juniper needs two weeks to warm up and after he is friendly and outgoing. He prefers contact on his own terms. Behavior toward children: Juniper is friendly and outgoing with children. Behavior toward cats: Juniper prefers contact on his own terms with other cats. Behavior toward dogs: Has no experience. Bite or Scratch history: No bite history. Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: Medium Other notes: It is unknown how he reacts when his nails are trimmed. When you brush his fur coat or hold him, he is unbothered. He struggles and squirms when placed inside a carrier. Juniper inside his previous home was friendly, affectionate, very active, playful, and a lap cat. He spent most of his time where his people are, in the bedroom, and at the window. He likes to chase and pounce on toys. He likes to play with water. He got interactive playtime once a day. His favorite surfaces are carpet and cardboard. His previous owners favorite thing about him is his cuddles. He ate both wet and dry food. he had access to one litterbox located in the basement. It was uncovered and unscented. Upon intake Juniper was fearful, had dilated pupils, and lip licking. Minimum handling was done.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/4/24 FB79 Inside his den, I hear a low hiss when i open the kennel door and when i lift the den cover Juniper hisses and backs his body towards the back of the den while wrapping his tail around his legs. He continues to hiss when i slowly introduce the tool so i leave some toys for him and respect his space. 10/13/14 Vol. Juniper was in his cardboard bed, crouched down very low. I opened the door and spoke to him but he did not respond. I was able to look into the bed and make eye contact with one of his eyes. He remained very low to the ground, with his ears flat. I left some Squeeze Up for him to hopefully enjoy later. He was not interested in interacting with me. 10/15/24 FB85 In box (big) in the back of the kennel. He remains low and hidden when treat tray is left near the front of his kennel. 10/18/24 FB79 Inside her box, Juniper is laying flat hidden away - he flinches when i use the pointer tool to pet his head and remains completely still/frozen when i continue to pet down his body with the tool. Showing no reaction i leave some treats in the box with him and a toy outside in case he feels safe to come out and play soon. 10/21/24 FB1261 Lying in box, completely lowered and mostly invisible from the outside. He hisses when offered treats but he begins to eat them right away. I speak to him softly and leave more treats without pushing hands-on interaction. He eats them all! Will continue to build positive associations. 10/29/24 FB1261 His box has been replaced with a den. He is completely hidden from view upon approach and he does not come out when offered treats or a catnip toy. Hopefully he explores the offerings later when he feels more comfortable... he did eat treats previously. They might be the way to his heart. 11/4/24 FB1261 Displayed similar behaviors as previous session. He remains hidden and will swat/escalate/retreat if approached for more hands-on interaction. I leave him some treats and toys to explore later when he feels more comfortable. 11/8/24 FB79 Inside his den out of sight and when the kennel door is opened and the tool was brought closer to the opening of his den Juniper starts to hiss and low growl/grumble. No swatting but harsh hissing continues when treats were tossed near his den. I tossed a catnip toy in there with him which made him stop hissing and i ended the interaction. 11/11/24 Vol Juniper was in his den and I could hear him grumbling. I lifted the kennel and den covers. He hissed as I spoke to him. I put Squeeze Up in a try and used a scratcher tool to push it near to the den opening. He darted out of the den and hopped up onto the shelf. He had his ears flat against his head, grumbling and hissing repeatedly. I left some treats and ended the interaction without attempting to pet him, as he was showing signs of being very agitated. -GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavior flyer for more information.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 4

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 9/30/24 Juniper was in his cat den as the assessor approached, initially completely hidden from view. Juniper did not respond when spoken to or as the kennel door opened. When the assessor lifted the den cover she saw that Juniper was crouched with a low body, dilated pupils and tail wrapped tightly around his body. Juniper avoided eye contact when spoken to and he turned hissed when the assessor placed the assess-a-hand inside of his den. Juniper tolerated petting along his head and body with the assess-a-hand while flattening his ears and turning his head to watch the hand with the whites of his eyes visible. Pick up was not attempted at this time to reduce stress. 10/12/24 Upon re-eval, Juniper appears to not be adjusting well to the shelter. When the cage door is opened, Juniper is sitting in his box which has been pushed towards the front of the cage. He sits and watches the assessor with a hunched and tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated and ears flat to the side as he hisses and begins to low growl. When the assessor slowly offers out the scratcher tool, he lunges forward slightly to swat at the tool multiple times. When the tool is removed and is offered once more, he lunges and swats again. Pick up is not attempted and the interaction is ended. 11/13/24 Upon re-eval, Juniper continues to display many of the same behaviors as in the previous evaluation. He is inside his den and begins to low growl and hiss as the cage door is opened and cannot be coaxed out of the den. When the scratcher tool is slowly offered near the portal opening. He hisses and growls, reaching his arm out quickly to swat hard at the tool. The assessor waits for a moment and speaks softly to him as he low growls and when the tool is offered again, he again lunges inside the den and swats hard at the tool. Jasper is not open to interaction at this time and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. Because his previous owner reports that in his previous home, he was friendly, affectionate, very active, playful, and a lap cat and spent most of his time where his people were - 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/her adjust to their new home.