KNOWN HISTORY:: Penelope was brought in with limited information on her behavior history in a home environment. Penelope was brought in with a litter mate, the owner reported no issues with either cat. They said Penelope is shy and hides. Upon intake Penelope was fearful and attempted to flee, but then allowed handling.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/06/26 Vol. Was sitting on top of her privacy den when I approached but then immediately ran into the den. Had no interest in Churu on the clicker. Extended tool into den and was able to scratch her head for a bit but she never relaxed. Tried to lure her out with the laser but she never came out of the den. Very fearful kitten. 10/22/26 FB09 Penelope was lying inside her cubby with dilated eyes and squirmed further back when the handler approached. She sniffed the treats offered to her but showed no further interest. She began returning slow blinks and allowed petting with the click stick but eventually started leaning back to avoid further contact. 10/25/26 Vol. Penelope was scared. She was sitting upright, pressed against the back wall of the bottom cubby. I offered her squeeze-up on a tongue depressor, and she pressed against the back wall harder and tried to make herself smaller. I removed the tongue depressor and put the squeeze-up in a dish. I put the dish in the bottom cubby and closed the door. I could hear her eating, and the dish was empty when I opened the cubby door. I started to extend my finger for her to sniff but removed my hand because she scrunched down into crouch with airplane ears. 10/28/26 Hesitant but briefly allows petting with the scratcher tool flinching throughout the interaction. Enjoys offered treats but cautiously ate while scanning her environment. After, she retreats and shrinks in place tolerating a bit more of attention until she rushed out and into the main compartment. Ended to minimize stress. When left alone she enjoyed her pipe cleaner pom pom toy batting it around. 10/29/26 Vol. Penelope is lying on her slide behind the privacy shield. She blinks/squints a lot, licking her lips occasionally, whiskers pointing down. She shifts towards the back of the cubby, still squinting. She got up as the tool was extended with puree, bats at the tool, then licked treat of the walls of the cubby. She allows petting all over her body with the back of the tool, but dodges head pets. After a brief reset, she was at the front of the cubby, looking interested, briefly rising to her haunches, then relaxing to eat crunchy treats. Coming along. 11/3/26 She was resting at the back of the cubby, alert with her head held high. With a slow approach, she tolerated hand petting along her back and offered slow blinks throughout the interaction. She enjoyed squeeze-ups and Party Mix treats. Although still hesitant, she continues to make progress with human contact and routine socialization check-ins.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Please see relevant behavior flyers. Penelope was described as a shy cat who hides in her former home. Penelope 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, either because prior owner notes and behaviors seen at the Care Center strongly suggest that she will hide if allowed. Interact with her in this room until she seems sufficiently confident that you feel you can introduce her to the next part of the home without running the risk that she will hide. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to help introduce your cat to the home.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: No young children under 13 years old. Older, respectful children only. Counselor discretion.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 9/26/26 Penelope is in her den sitting up with forward ears and dilated eyes. She remains immobile as scratcher tool and treats are offered. When pet with the tool on her cheeks and body, she turns her head quickly as if looking to flee. The interaction is ended as Penelope cannot be coaxed outside her den, and to avoid increasing her fear, anxiety, and stress. 10/26/26 Penelope is laying in her cubby, moving to sit upright and pressing herself against the back wall as the cubby door is opened. When she is spoken to softly, she begins hissing, body tense. She is tolerant of all petting with the tool but flinches, squints, tenses, and leans away to avoid contact. Pickup is not attempted due to observed behavior. Penelope tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. She may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to her new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents.