KNOWN HISTORY:: Bam-Bam was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment. He previously lived with 5 other cats. When ARS Staff arrived to get the cats in the home, freeman nets were used and the cats were noted to not allow touch, and would hiss and swat.

MEDICAL BEHAVIOR::

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 4/15/26 FB06 Loaf in his litter box, Bam Bam has his paws tucked under, face and eyes are neutral and his ears are forward. His eyes widen and his face and body tense as I open the cubby door. Slowly offering him the scratcher, he begins to perch himself up. He gently sniffs the scratcher as he is looking at me. When I attempt to pet his head, he hisses at the scratcher and slightly lifts one paw in defensive position. I pull the scratcher back and let him sniff some more before ending the interaction. 4/17/26 FB79 In the back of the cubby, Bam is curled with a neutral face that quickly changes to wide eyes and titled ears when I speak; he continues to hiss harshly as the tool comes closer and his ears airplane while he wraps his tail around his body. When I used the tool to pet on his head he remained very still but began to low growl as I pet his cheeks. I slow blinked a few times while speaking softly then ended the interaction. 4/23/26 FB58 Sitting up at the back of the cubby with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated, ears tilt and he hisses harshly as I open the cubby door. When I slowly offer out the scratcher tool, he tenses even more and hisses harshly before he lunges and swats at the tool multiple times. I leave the treat tray at the front of the cubby and end the interaction. Should monitor his behavior for deterioration or need for re-evaluation. 4/24/26 BF79 On his bed, Bam looks vert comfy with his paws under, his eyes neutral and his ears forward. He still had no reaction when I spoke to when I slowly brought a squeeze up to his face. I was able to pet the top of his head slowly with my hand and give him cheek rubs before he turned his face away. I used the tool to reach over and pet his back/body and he was very tolerant today! 4/25/26 FB06 Curled up sleeping like a baby, Bam Bam Looks so peaceful. As I unlock the kennel door, he perches himself up, eyes are wide, face and body tense ears flat and his tail is tucked under his body. I offer him the scratcher and he starts to low growl and lip lick. As it nears, he leans his head forward and curiously sniffs as he continues growling. He ducks and dodges as I try to pet his head. He continues to sniff the scratcher again for a moment before biting and chewing it. As I pull it away he dart to the cubby with a low body. 4/27/26 FB79 Bam Bam is on his bed with his face and body neutral; he had no reaction when I opened the kennel door but leaned in when I tossed in treats. However, when I tried to use the tool to pet he pulled back slowly with a tilted ear and watched the tool for movement. After holding the tool in place I was able to move it close and he tolerated petting on his head before pulling away again followed by ducking and dodging it. GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: Bam Bam is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is very apprehensive of people and while showing no aggressive behaviors, he does attempt to avoid human 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. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to the behavior seen in shelter and needing a longer time to warm up, the behavior team feels Bam Bam would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: At the back of the kennel, Bam-Bam is perched with his paws tucked, a neutral face and forward ears; he had no reaction when he was greeted over when the assessor slow blinked at him. However as soon as the assessor began to bring in the tool he hissed harshly as his eyes widened and dilated. Ban-Bam started to low growl while lip licking as he fixated his gaze on the assessor for further movement. When contact was attempted he looked up at the tool to avoid the tool petting his head and continued to growl quietly. He briefly tolerated petting down his back and body but when the tool was used to pet his cheeks his snapped over and hissed once again. Throughout the interaction he remained still with his paws tucked and his tail wrapped but pick up was not attempted at this time. 4/29/26 Upon approach, Bam Bam is crouched down at the back of the ledge, eyes are wide, ears are turned outward and his tail is wrapped tight around his feet. He hisses at the assessor’s hand as they look through the glass. As the kennel door opens, he hisses again and starts low growling. The assessor then very slowly offers him the scratcher, where he swats it gently, hisses at it and continues to low growl. His ears flatten and he begins to lip lick. Attempting to pet his head he swats again, still gentle but hissing and growling with lip licking. He squirms into the corner in an attempt to avoid the scratcher. No pick up was attempted at this time. Previously witnessed about a half hour earlier, while another staff member was cleaning his kennel, as they were attempting to give him his dry food and water, Bam Bam lunged forward, hissed and then swatted the staff member’s hand with force, tearing their glove. No skin was broken. Bam Bam is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He has tried to swat and scratch, and is extremely fearful in the shelter environment and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.