KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 1 Adult Behavior toward strangers: Actively avoids or retreats when strangers are present. Behavior toward children, cats, dogs: Unknown Bite or Scratch history: Bonbona was surrendered due to increasing aggression in the home with 3 bite/scratch incidents in the last two months (Please See Potential Challenges Section) Litter box training: Yes, previously used unspecified type of litter and litter box. Energy level/descriptors: Medium Energy Level Other notes: Bonbona can be described as a very energetic and playful indoor-only cat, that enjoys spending her time at the window. She likes to chase and pounce on toys, stalk and pounce on feet, chase bugs, and enjoys toys that crinkle. She would receive interactive playtime once a day, and enjoys scratching on rough rope, cardboard, and both vertical and horizontal surfaces. Bonbona is reported to bite and scratch people. She eats both wet and dry food, and enjoys squeeze ups. Owner reports that if she hisses, growls, swats, or bites that it is usually offensive. She has never had her nails clipped, enjoys having her coat brushed, is unbothered by pick up/being held, and struggles/ squirms when being placed in a carrier. _______________________________________________________________________ Previously lived with: 4 Adults, 3 children (ages 1,16,17) Behavior toward strangers: Bonbona does not have much experience with strangers. With known visitors, she is shy/timid and will actively hide. Behavior toward children: Bonbona has experience with young children ages 1, 5, and 9. She is independent and will actively avoid younger children. She has a tendency to scratch or hiss when she wants to be left alone. Behavior toward cats: Unknown. Behavior toward dogs: Bonbona has experience with a small dog in the home and will scratch, hiss, and growl when she wants to be left alone. Bite or Scratch history: Please see "Potential Challenges" section for more info Litter box training: Had access to an uncovered litter box with scented clumping litter kept in the bathroom. Energy level/descriptors: Low. Other notes: Bonoba is a quiet and independent indoor cat. She prefers contact on her terms and likes to watch from afar. She has lived with a large family and is used to staying in one space the majority of the time with access to her litter box. She enjoys playing with crinkly toys and water. She will play rough with tendency to scratch chasing her toys and pouncing on them. Bonbona likes to scratch on rope, carpet, and cardboard materials. Previous owner loved how she would chase her mouse toy and would look so cute while she is sleeping. Is unbothered when her coat is brushed or placed in a carrier. She does not like being held and will hiss or bite when her nails are trimmed. She eats both wet and hard food. During intake Cat was lip licking with whale eyes in the carrier. Cat did not attempt to flee when carrier bag was zipped open and allowed photo.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 8/6/24 FB1261 In cat den upon approach, completely hidden from view. I lift the cage cover and see that he's hunched with his front paws folded, eyes wide and ears forward. He does not leave his den when I place squeeze-ups or a scented toy right outside of it. I speak to him softly and end the session for today. 8/11/24 FB79 Hiding inside her den, Bonabona sniffs the treaties that i toss in there for her but is uninterested. She allows pets with the tool and she even slight lens in for some on her cheekies. 8/14/24 FB79 Today, Bonbona displayed the same behaviors described in the previous enrichment note. 8/23/24 FB1261 In cat den upon approach, initially hidden from view. She begins hissing and grumbling when I lift her den cover and she maintains eye contact with a tense expression from a hunched position. I leave her some treats near her den and walk away, and when I check on her a few moments later the treats closest to her kennel have been eaten (greenies). I open the kennel door again and she pokes her head out to grumble at me as I slowly push a tray of squeeze-ups towards her. She stretches her neck out to begin eating the treats as I watch! I slow-blink and speak to her softly before ending the session and she does not retreat as long as she has squeeze-ups in front of her. 9/10/24 FB1261 Lying in cat den upon approach, body and face hidden from view. She pokes her head out when offered meaty morsels, but once she notices me she hisses and when I present her with the scratcher tool she gives it a swat before retreating. I speak to her softly and leave her some treaties for later... not open to hands-on interaction at this time. 9/11/24 FB79 Today, Bonbona displayed the same behaviors as the previous enrichment note. 9/16/24 FB1261 I was able to clicker train Bonbona today. She was originally trapped in her den, but when I free her and she pokes her head out to eat the treats offered immediately. I spend the remainder of the session clicking and rewarding each time she takes a step closer to the front of her kennel. I do not push petting today to end the session on a positive note. 9/18/24 FB79 So sweet girl! Coaxed out with high value treats and accepts pets on her head and cheeks with a mid level tail. 9/28/24 FB58 Is out of her den on her own when I walk past! Sitting with a neutral face and body and sniffs my hand through the cage door when I offer it out to her. Eats squeeze up placed at the front of the cage and allows some pets on her head through the cage door. 10/4/24 FB79 Inside her den, Bonbona hears me open her kennel door and peaks her head out; she has a neutral face with forward ears/calm almond eyes. She sniffs the treats that i toss near her but isn't interested, she allows me to pet on her head and cheeks and she leans in for more. She steps her front leg out for more but after a few she slowly retreats back into her den. I leave some extra treaties and toys! -GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Playful,Curious,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: There are recent bite incidents that occurred with her most recent adopter: Client stated that when he adopted the cat in January she displayed minor aggression issues. About 1 1/2 months ago, she became increasingly aggressive. She has a history of lashing out, biting, and scratching with no identifiable trigger. In August 2025, owner walked into his kitchen and passed Bonbona, who was lying on the sofa. He heard her making a yowling distress noise. She then darted to the kitchen, biting and scratching him on his right leg. She was not injured then moving to hide under the bed and continued to hiss and growl. Owner did self-care at home. On 9/8 at aprox. 10AM previous owner was working in the bedroom and Bonbona was lying on the bed. He got up and walked passed her to go to the bathroom. Bonbona ran to the door of the bathroom while hissing and growling. Owner closed the bathroom door to prevent her from entering and when he opened the door, he did not see Bonbona. When he stepped out of the bathroom, she ran towards him, cornering him in the hallway. She then jumped on him, biting him 4-5 times on his right hand, resulting in bleeding. Bonbona was not injured and She was placed in a carrier and taken to the vet. Layne received treatment at Northwell in Forest Hills. On 9/10 at aprox. 10:30AM the owner was working in the bedroom and Bonbona was lying on a mat on the floor, next to the bed. When he got up and walked out of the bedroom, he passed her on his way to the hallway. Bonbona ran after him while growling and lunged at him. She scratched him on his left hand, resulting in bleeding. Owner then took his coat off the rack that was next to him, grabbed Bonbona, and threw her in the bathroom. Bonbona was not injured. The client did self-care at home. It appears that Bonbona has a high prey drive that may be triggered by perceived sudden or fast movements that then result in increased and disproportionate aggression/ stalking/ pouncing/ and ambushing (rougher-than-normal predatory behaviors). Most if not all of her previous scratch/bite incidents have resulted from a fast movement of an arm or her previous owner walking past her when she was previously "co-existing" in the shared space with them in a sedentary manner. Bonbona was also noted to stalk and pounce on feet which can be related to more predatory behaviors. Her previous owner’s favorite thing about her is that “She is very cute, and when she is a behaving normally, she is very affectionate and sweet. She is a very curious and playful cat, and very vocal. She loves hunting down moving toys and playing with cat wands. Once she is comfortable with you, she really enjoys belly and chest rubs and will roll around on her back while receiving them and purr. She is not shy about giving head bumps when she wants attention and will come hang out with me on the couch." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please see previous bite report from July 2024 for more

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home,No dogs

Recommendations comments:: Due to the behavior seen in shelter, the reported behavior from her foster parent and needing a longer time to warm up, the behavior team feels Bonbona would do best in an adult-only home where they would be able to acclimate in a calm environment. Bonbona has experience with young children ages 1, 5, and 9. She is independent and will actively avoid younger children. She has a tendency to scratch or hiss when she wants to be left alone. Bonbona has experience with a small dog in the home and will scratch, hiss, and growl when she wants to be left alone.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 8/4/24 Inside her den, Bonbona peaks her head out when she hears the assessor approach, she has a relaxed face with forward ears and almond eyes. She quickly ducks back into her den when treats were placed near the den door and remained still with her tail wrapped around her body. She allows all pets on her head/cheeks as well as down her back and body but isn't able to be coax out of the den. Bonbona begins to lip lick when the assessor pets on her cheeks once more but remains still throughout. Pick up was not attempted due to not being able to be coaxed out and to limit FAS. 11/22/24 Upon returning to shelter, Bonbona is in her den out of sight and hisses when the kennel door is opened; she hisses once again when the den cover is lifted for a better view and backs herself towards the back corner. While continuing to harshly hiss when the scratcher tool is brought closer she tightly wraps her tail around her legs while ducking/dodging and occasionally spitting at the tool - Bonbona briefly tolerates pets on her head and cheeks but begins hissing once again when the tool is brought down and around her body. Showing no interest in treats or attention pick up was not attempted due to not being able to be coaxed out and to limit FAS. 9/18/25 Upon returning to the shelter, Bonbona is in her den and hidden from view (cannot be coaxed out). When the Assess-A-Hand is introduced into the den, she hisses and swats with moderate power before pulling her paw back in. The den cover is removed and she is sitting with a tense face and body, pressed against the back of the den with eyes wide and pupils dilated. She continues to low growl as the assessor attempts to make contact and is somewhat tolerant of touch with the fake hand, remaining tense and wary, hissing at times. She eventually again escalates to swatting at the hand and sits hunched and tense as she lip licks with ears tilted to the side. Pick up is not attempted and the interaction is ended to prevent further escalation. Bonbona is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and will require further investigation before placement in a home. She has tried to swat, is extremely fearful in the shelter environment, and currently tolerate minimal petting or handling. Due to her multiple scratch/bite history as well as the severity and unpredictability of stalking, and aggressive behaviors, with limited warning and triggers - the behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.