KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Cat Previously lived with: 1 Adult Behavior toward strangers: Noted to be tolerant and curious, preferring contact on his terms. When comfortable, noted to rub against the person's legs. Noted to swat and bite when touched. Behavior toward children: No experience. Behavior toward cats: No experience. Behavior toward dogs: No experience. Bite or Scratch history: 4/10/26 After more than a week of adjusting to the shelter, Whittakers is social and affectionate but appears to be easily overstimulated. As a result of this observed behavior we recommend adopters who are familiar with signs of behavioral arousal and agitation in cats, so that interactions can be ended before Whittakers becomes overstimulated. We also recommend fishing pole-type toys for play as they allow for interaction and vigorous, stimulating exercise while keeping human hands at a distance. 4/30/26 In a home environment, the owner walked into Whittakers' bedroom to feed him. As she bent down to put his bowl on the ground, he rubbed against her legs. As she went to pet him, Whittakers bit her on her bottom lip. She closed the door and left Whiskers in the room. She sough care at a hospital and received 5 stitches. 5/1/26 The previous owner opened her bedroom door to feed Whittakers. He scratched her right leg, resulting in a little bleeding. She immediately closed the door. There were no witnesses. She did self-care at home. Whittakers was not injured and did not require vet care. Litter box training: Yes Energy level/descriptors: High Other notes: Whittakers has never had his nails trimmed or his coat brushed. It is unknown how he will react when picked up/held. He struggles/squirms when placed in a carrier. Whittakers is described as initially being fearful. He had access to the inside of his previous home and spent most of his time in the bedroom. He did not get interactive play. He eats Royal Canin, wet and dry food. He loves Churu treats. He had access to one uncovered litter box with unscented litter. His previous owner loves how handsome he is.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 4/23/26 Vol. Came right up to the kennel door for attention. Wasn’t interested in eating Squeeze-ups. Able to pet him by hand for several minutes. Wasn’t interested in playing at this time. Left him a dish of tuna which he ignored at first. Sneezing a lot which I indicated on the white board. 4/24/26 Vol. In second cage, crouched, stress meowed - then went to erect, eyes rounded, ears slightly sideways. Opened main cage and put treat bowl by entry - he did not move, meowed. Opened second cage and put treat bowl in and he leaned over to look - allowing head rubs and scratches with hand while meowing and looking out. Gave plenty and ended interaction 5/2/26 FB73 Whittakers is at the front of his kennel, stress meowing and swatting hard with claws from outside of the kennel doors as the handler approaches. Later in the day he is seen swatting hard at the cat above him, FB gives him a double and creates a barrier between Whittakers and the cat above him. 5/8/26 FB20 Whittakers is reported to swat through the bars at staff and claw at their ankles when they are cleaning other cats kennels.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Lively

VOCAL:: Talkative

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Social,Sweet,Affectionate,People oriented,Curious

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: See Whittakers' multiple scratch/bite incidents. Whittakers is social and affectionate but appears to be easily overstimulated. As a result of this observed behavior we recommend adopters who are familiar with signs of behavioral arousal and agitation in cats, so that interactions can be ended before Whittakers becomes overstimulated. We also recommend fishing pole-type toys for play as they allow for interaction and vigorous, stimulating exercise while keeping human hands at a distance.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

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

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 04/18/26 Whittakers is sleeping inside of his box. When he hears the kennel door opening, he perks up and comes to the front of the kennel with forward ears and slightly dilated eyes. He sniffs assess-a-hand with squeeze up offered and licks it. Whittakers then pets himself along the hand, enjoying cheek rubs. His tail begins to flick when pet along his body, but there is no escalation even with extended petting. After the interaction, he sits at the front and reaches his paw through the bars. He is given more squeeze up treats that he eats readily. 05/09/26 Whittakers was sitting at the front of the kennel, ears forward and eyes wide and dilated. He leaned in to sniff the treats offered to him then eagerly started licking them up, his eyes softening. The handler started petting along his head while he was eating, and while his ears flattened slightly, he remained calm and allowed the petting. When the handler slightly pet along his back, his eyes dilated again and he began to back up slightly, but he soon returned to the front of the kennel to finish up his treats. Whittakers 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 / scratch / bite. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.