KNOWN HISTORY:: Ash Previously lived with: 2 adults, 3 chldren and other cats Behavior toward strangers: Reported to play gently, shy/timid and hide initially Behavior toward children: Reported to be friendly, outgoing and play gently Behavior toward cats: Did not specify but there has been aggression in the past month with resident male cats Bite or Scratch history: A staff member was attempting to place Ash into a den for transport to the adoptions room when the side door of the den opened and Ash escaped. As the staff member grabbed Ash to return him to the kennel, Ash scratched the staff member's right forearm while attempting to free himself from their grip. Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: Medium energy level Trims their nails: Stress meows Brushes their coat: Enjoys, struggles/squirms Picks up or holds them: Enjoys Places them in a carrier: Struggles or squirms Other notes: Ash is described as a friendly, affectionate, talkative, lap cat, fearful and watches from a far. They spent their time indoors, where the people are, bedroom, likes to play with water and had interactive playtime twice a day. They also enjoy rough rope, and he is talkative, loving and loves to be loved. Does hide in fear.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 6/14/26 FB09 Ash was sitting on top of his den with dilated eyes and forward ears. He stiffened when the door opened and showed no interest in the treats offered to him, instead keeping his eyes on the handler. He began returning slow blinks and accepted some petting on the head with the click stick before eventually retreating to his den. 6/15/26 Vol. Ash remained on top of the den in a loaf position upon approach. He did not move when the kennel door was opened and did not respond to wet food offered in a tray. His whiskers were slightly drawn back, and his paws were tucked tightly beneath his body. He did not interact with treats or toys offered during the session, but he did allow gentle contact to the head with a scratcher followed by petting his head, shoulders, and body. He remained toward the back of the den in a loaf position throughout the interaction with slight piloerection. 6/16/26 Vol. Sitting in his privacy den when I approached kennel. Low growled when I attempted to give him Squeeze-ups. Gave him a catnip mouse but didn’t react to it. Tried to engage him with the cat dancer and laser but he wasn’t interested. Never came out of his den. 6/20/26 Vol. Curled up in litterbox facing side wall when approached, spoken to and door opened. Growled off and on. Allowed petting by scratcher tool and by hand on top of head and back of neck. Did not pet neck since Ash has a wound there. Ignored dry and lickable treats. Went to the other side of condo in a crouched low to the ground with head closest to the corner. 6/23/26 Vol. Under-the-weather kitty. Hunched in back of cubby. Ate lots of Temptation treats. Tried to give him Squeeze-ups on the clicker but he hissed and started to low growl. Then he ran into his privacy cubby and sat in his litter box where he continued to low growl. At that point I ended the interaction to avoid FAS. 6/23/26 Vol. Sitting in his privacy den when I approached kennel. Low growled when I attempted to give him Squeeze-ups. Gave him a catnip mouse but didn’t react to it. Tried to engage him with the cat dancer and laser but he wasn’t interested. Never came out of his den. 6/25/26 FB09 Ash was lying in his cubby with neutral eyes and low, forward ears. He sniffed the treats offered to him but showed no further interest, instead returning slow blinks at the handler. He accepted head petting while returning more slow blinks and remained still. GAN FOR CONTINUATION

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Laid back,Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period,Carrier aversion

Potential challenges comments:: Ash had a scratch incident in the shelter as he was attempting to escape a staff member's grasp when they were attempting to put him into a carrier for transport. It may be that he is uncomfortable with that level of handling but due to this and his prior owner's note of struggling and squirming when attempting to place him in a carrier it is likely he has some carrier aversion. To work on this challenge, start by leaving the carrier out and open with a cozy blanket or towel and treats. Let your cat inspect it. Try feeding your cat at mealtime increasingly close to the door. Once he can eat by the door try feeding inside the carrier. When he is comfortable inside the carrier you should try briefly closing the door. If the cat panics, open the door right away. The goal should be able to leave the door shut for increasing amounts of time over many days, until he seems generally comfortable in the carrier. If he becomes upset, then you’re working too quickly. Be patient! The goal is to make the carrier a happy place for your cat! See relevant behavior flyers on new home adjustment and fearfulness.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

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

Recommendations comments:: Due to behavior observed in the care center and a scratch incident when attempting to escape a staff member's grasp, a home without young children is recommended. No children under age 13, respectful older children only. Counselor discretion. Ash lived with other cats, but it was reported that the male cats in the home were fighting. This may be due to having multiple unneutered male cats and an unspayed female cat in the same household. A home without other cats preferred. Any home with other cats should proceed cautiously and slowly with any cat-to-cat introductions. See behavior flyer on cat-to-cat introductions.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 5/26/26 Ash was tightly crouched with his head lowered on top of the den upon approach, appearing alert with squinting eyes and ears erect and forward. He allowed petting along the head and body but shrank in place, indicating uncertainty and mild fear. Ash responded to soft speech with slow blinks, suggesting some comfort and social engagement despite his stress. During pick up, he remained tense but calmly slow walked back into his safe space once settled. 6/7/26 Ash is laying in a loaf position on top of his den, body tense and ears forward as the handler approaches. When the kennel door is opened and he is softly spoken to, he looks up at the assessor for a moment before moving down from the top of the den and standing stiff against the back wall of the kennel, facing towards the portal exit of his den. He is tolerant of all petting with the scratcher tool but does not engage, remaining tense, squinting, and leaning away to avoid contact. Pickup is not attempted due to observed behavior. When the interaction is ended and the kennel door is closed, Ash retreats into his den. 7/7/26 Ash is laying in a loaf position in his top hidey cubby, ears forward and body tense as the cubby door is opened. When he is softly spoken to and petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, he backs away and begins hissing. Treats are offered and he hesitantly leans forward to eat it, tolerating brief petting on the head with the scratcher tool as he eats before pulling back and continuing to hiss. Pickup is not attempted due to observed behavior. Ash tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents.