KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Cat Previously lived with: 2 adults and 1 child Behavior toward strangers: Friendly & outgoing and curious around strangers and visitors. Behavior toward children: plays rough and is curious around children Behavior toward cats: No experience Behavior toward dogs: No experience Bite or Scratch history: None Litter box training: Yes, He had access to one covered litter box in the home which was kept in the bathroom and the type of litter used was crystals. It is also reported that he was spraying in the house- on the couch. No litter box accidents reported. Energy level/descriptors: high energy Other notes: It is reported that he is friendly, affectionate, very active & playful and talkative most of the time when at home with his family. He was kept indoors and spent his time where his people are, in the bedroom and living room. It is reported he likes to play chasing and pouncing on toys and the type of surfaces (intended to be used for scratching) he likes are carpet/fabric. He was fed dry food in his previous home. It is reported that he is unbothered when being held or picked up. It is reported that he struggles or squirms when being placed in a carrier. It is also reported that he cries/stress meows a lot and scratches furniture.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PRIOR ASSESSMENT 3/10/25 Sage was on the shelf and quickly came down when the assessor approached the kennel and became highly interactive. He is high energy, giving hard head bunts against the assessor's hand, pushing and rubbing and turning around in circles. His tail was a little fluffy and swishy, but he never overstimulated. He just wanted to interact with the assessor. And he ate treats and was fairly calm when picked up and held, struggling slightly, but then relaxed in the assessor's arms, and when set back down, he remained energetic. PRIOR ASSESSMENT 3/21/25 Sage is a very sweet and super active cat who can ramp himself up to the point of being conflicted and upset. Prior, when he was moved into the free roaming room, he did well at first, but then became increasingly excited and without warning bit the behavior specialist during an interaction. In this current assessment he was rubbing his head against the assessor’s hand vigorously and with a fairly high intensity and with his tail up and somewhat swishy. He would also reach through the bars to get attention and then did this with the cat below him becoming upset and doing a little hissing. Then a cover was added to the lower cat’s kennel, so they would not interact, but Sage did not calm down and swatted the assessor‘s hand. On a re-approach slightly later, he gave a silent hiss. Becoming aggressive does not seem to be his true nature if the environment is well controlled. While on the one hand he should have a fairly quiet home but on the other hand have lots of opportunities for activities play, and enrichment. Anyone adopting Sage should monitor his activity level and demeanor to gauge in the moment whether he needs more activity or less. 4/2/25 FB26 and FB32 Playful and energetic, running back and forth between the two kennels. He displays a loose body with its tail held high and flicking, appearing alert with soft eyes. He seeks attention by soft pawing, licking, and gently mouthing the hand through the kennel door. He enjoys treats and appreciates being given attention. During pick up, he kneads the air and then turns around to climb on the handler's shoulder. He is placed back down and then hovers and leans over the front entrance in an attempt to jump out of the kennel to explore; however, he is easily held back with more head bunting. After closing the door, he reaches his paw out to solicit more attention. 4/6/25 FB32 Sage is showing consistent signs of overstimulation, rough play, and high energy at this time. Sage does not need socialization, these behaviors are likely to continue in a home environment and this is not an indication that Sage is under socialized. He a very smart and curious cat who might not have never learned appropriate play and bite inhibition. In addition, he may be sensitive to physical or environmental stimuli. He will need plenty of playtime and mental stimulation in their new home.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Energetic,Athletic

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Social,Sweet,Affectionate,Playful,People oriented,Curious

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,Rough play,Very high energy level,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Sage is an active young cat who would benefit from increased mental and physical stimulation to appropriately direct his energy. We recommend using fishing pole-type toys as they allow for vigorous and stimulating exercise. Puzzle feeders will also keep him engaged and exercise his brain in addition to his body. He needs space and activity. Around 1:50pm 3/11/25, feline behavior specialist was sitting the free-roaming room with Sage in his lap. While he was petting the cat, Sage had a slightly swishing tail. Without warning, Sage gave a single bite on Stephen's left thumb, and while biting he also left a scratch on the outside of his left hand and on the left thumb. After the bite and release, Sage moved away, appearing to be startled and slightly fearful. Stephen washed and disinfected his wounds and will not be seeking medical care at this time. On 03.24.2025 at approximately 6:45pm, ACS staff was cleaning Sage’s kennel. Sage kept approaching the front quickly as if to flee, so staff kept a hand up to keep him away as he grabbed the food and water bowls. After he got the bowls out of the kennel and was reaching for the linen, Sage attempted to bite his left hand. Staff closed the kennel door and let Sage decompress for a few moments and then re-approached slowly to take the linens out of the kennel. At this time, Sage lunged forward and bit staff's left hand. He latched on for a moment before letting go, and staff quickly closed the kennel door and left. Staff sustained 5-6 puncture wounds on his left hand. He cleaned his wounds and will not be seeking medical attention.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No other cats OR multi-cat home with adopters experienced with introducing new cats,Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: He has shown some tolerance of cats and at other times was not tolerant.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Sage is a great cat and is very curious, outgoing and energetic who can become overstimulated and become "bitey." He has high energy and needs ways to release that energy safely. He’s affectionate and gives head bunts and will lean in for cheek rubs, but this can quickly convert to becoming nippy. His tail was swishing hard from left to right, particularly when his head was outside the kennel and he was trying to look at the next the cat next door. Pick up was not attempted. See the previous assessment from 3/21/25 and a description of his response to being handled from 4/2/25 in the Enrichment Notes above. Sage solicits attention and accepts petting but may be assertively demanding of attention or may play roughly. Due to all the described behaviors we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced cat parent home. Physically small apartments, studios in particular should be avoided. He needs space and activity, exercise and problem solving like with puzzle feeders etc. to keep him happy.