KNOWN HISTORY:: Sparkle Muffin was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on her behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 9/11/25 Upon approach and sweet talk, Sparkle Muffin poked her head out of the den, hissed twice but looked curious. She licked the treat off the tool extended towards the portal, but could not be enticed to leave the den. After the third treat, she batted lightly at the tool. Ended the interaction by leaving some solid treats that she picked up in her mouth and took them back into the den. A short while later, she was fully out of the den eating the dry treats, but in seeing me, she low growled and returned to the den. Still scared but coming along. 9/12/25 Front of cage, erect, hissed and shot paws through bars as I approached to read report. Continued to hiss and stomp as reading report. Stood by door and sweet talked as she hissed and put paws through bars and then rubbed up against scratching post. Dropped in hard treats - she reacted each time with a small jump and pawed at the treats but continued to sit erect in front of cage, eyes wide, tail twitching. Stood sweet talking by cage until Sparkle Muffin went to lay down in litter box. Ended interaction. #2 Came back about 45 minutes later and as approaching cage she stuck head out of hidey box (as if was sleeping) - stretched herself out of box and sat erect in litter box (no hissing). Stood by cage and sweet talked and she meatloafed (no hissing, still looking like she just woke up) As I stood she got up and walked to front - sitting erect, eyes round. Tried some squeeze treat on tool - she immediately came over to sniff and went back to litter box to sit. I stood and sweet talked and she came over to sniff treat tool again and look around room. She is very alert to noises and activity. She then turned and went back into hidey box - peeking out. Ended interaction Sparkly Muffin did not hiss or stomp during the second visit- she seems curious but very cautious and quick to lash out (but not really frightened). 9/17/25 Vol Crouched on top of den with tail tucked around body. Her eyes and ears were neutral. She gave a brief stress meow when approached, then ate squeeze up from scratcher tool, while remaining in her spot on top of den. She watched a feather toy intently, but did not play, and gave another stress meow after a few moments. She readily accepted more squeeze up from scratcher tool. She allowed brief petting on her head with scratcher tool, but mostly tried turning her head to continue licking it. 9/19/25 Vol Definitely snuffling and congested. Crouched on top of hidey box - as approached to read report - she stretched out and put paws on bars, eyes normal, ears forward and then pulled back to crouch. Based on whiteboard notes she liked to play. Put in treat bowl - no reaction. Tried laser toy - she followed with eyes but did not jump (in my opinion - she realized she would never catch it - so it was dismissed). She had  pulled feathers from pipe cleaner toy. Got another pipe cleaner toy and she played - we played a bit and ended interaction. See GAN - cont.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm,Sweet,Curious,Timid

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Sparkle Muffin has significantly improved since the initial behavior assessment. She used to hiss and swat but is now curious, comes forward, is chatty, and allows brief petting. Please keep in mind that she has potential to get a little hissy, grabby, and slightly swatty. She is treat-motivated and should be given time to warm up to her new home and only interacted with on her own terms. On 9/27/25, Staff was attempting to put Sparkle Muffin in her cat den when she turned her head and bit staff on the right thumb causing 2 punctures. He was using cat gloves and a towel to hold her, but the bite went through the glove. It it unclear if the bite incident was a response to being overstimulated, uncomfortable with pick up, or carrier aversion. She has potential to get overstimulated. She may flinch, swish her tail, or stress meow when stroking her body, during handling, or receiving a lot of attention. She appreciates contact on her own terms.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to potential to escalate and a bite/scratch history.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 09/09/25: Sparkle Muffin was in the den and began hissing as soon as she saw the assessor. She pulled back when approached and continued to hiss, then began swatting the scratching tool repeatedly. After the den cover was replaced, she looked out a bit more calmly, but with enlarged pupils. She then swatted at the scratching tool a bit more gently. She is showing potential for improvement. 10/05/25: Sparkle Muffin was lying down at front at the front of the kennel in loaf position with a neutral body and eyes. She gets up and sniffs the assessor's hand through the door upon approach and opening the door. She softly meows, hovers over the front entrance, head bunts for petting, and then steps out of the kennel to explore the environment. During pick up, she is calm but tenses up and later struggles when held. After placing her back down, she turns around, flinches and shakes her head and body when pet, and then leans in hard for cheek rubs. When stroking her body, she raises her hips and tail up, slowly swishing her tail, then stress meows. While closing the door to prevent escalation and to keep the interaction short, she lip licks and reaches her paw out to grab the assessor's hand when locking the door. Sparkle Muffin tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to her new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center and a bite/scratch history, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.