KNOWN HISTORY:: Previously lived with: Adults, Other Cats Behavior toward strangers: No experience Behavior toward children: Curious, Friendly & Outgoing, Hides initially Behavior toward cats: Curious, Prefers contact on their terms Behavior toward dogs: No experience Bite or Scratch history: None reported Litter box training: Yes. Nizmo had access to one uncovered litter box with unscented litter. The litter box was located in the hallway and Nizmo did not have access to seeing outdoor cats. Energy level/descriptors: Low Other notes: Nizmo has never had his nails trimmed or coat brushed. He is unbothered when being picked up/held. He is unbothered when being placed into a carrier but will also struggle or squirm. If he does hiss, growl, swat, or bite these behaviors are usually defensive. Nizmo can be described as a quiet, lazy/couch potato who likes to watch from afar. He had access to indoors only and spent most of his time in the living room. He engaged in interactive playtime multiple times per month and likes to chase/pounce on toys and will play fetch. Behaviorally, he has been reported to scratch on furniture and hide and fear. Nizmo ate Friskies wet and dry food. His favorite treats are meow mix.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 2/5/26 Nizmo is laying in his den. As he hears the kennel door opening, he begins to growl. The handler slowly lifts up the den cover and Nizmo is pressed against the glass. He turns to the handler and hisses before backing up. Nizmo's ears are flat and his tail is wrapped around his body. The handler lowers the den cover and extends a scratcher tool out to him near the portal. He lets out a hiss when he sees the scratcher tool. Nizmo continuously growls and when he stops, the handler removes the scratcher tool. The interaction is ended there. 2/11/26 Nizmo is laying in his den upon staff arrival. When kennel door is opened, Nizmo hisses loudly. Staff then uses stick to close den opening so they can clean. Nizmo then proceeds to swat, growl and hiss. The whole time staff is cleaning Nizmo is hissing and growling. When done cleaning, staff uses stick to open den back up, Nizmo then swats again. 2/18 Nizmo is in his den when staff approaches. A scratcher tool is placed through the bars of the door, when it gets parallel to the portal door Nizmo hisses and swats at the head of the tool hard almost knocking it out of staff's hands. Staff ends interaction. 2.22 Nizmo was stress meowing, hissing and swatting at staff while they were cleaning the kennel below him and to the left of him. Staff got him in his den and closed it, cleaned as fast as possible then let him back out. Once staff moved onto the other kennels further from him he stopped stress meowing.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Nizmo has displayed fearful behavior during their stay in the care center and has displayed distance-increasing behavior with extended handling. Fear aggression can occur when a cat perceives a threat and may escalate if they cannot escape. A fearful cat will feel more relaxed when given options, so provide him/her with the chance to move closer, investigate, or interact with you. Be sure to offer incentive such as treats or play time whenever the cat makes a small positive step. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to desensitize your cat to their fear stimulus.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Nizmo is laying in his den upon approach. As the kennel door is opened, he begins to hiss and growl. A scratcher tool is slowly extended out near the portal. Nizmo's growl becomes louder and he smacks the stick hard. After that, his growls increase. The scratcher tool is fully removed from his kennel. Nizmo pokes his head through the portal with airplane ears. He stares at the handler with dilated pupils as he continues to growl. When the handler is locking the kennel, he hisses. As they walk away, Nizmo is growling. Nizmo is laying in his den as the handler approaches his kennel. The kennel door is opened and the den cover is removed. He begins to low growl. Nizmo is laying against the front of the den and pushes himself to the back as the den cover is taken off. His tail is curled around his body and his eyes are wide. He is offered slow blinks. When the handler goes to lift the clear den cover, Nizmo lunges forward and swats. He retreats to the back of the den and the handler offers slow blinks once more. The clear den cover is slowly opened and a scratcher tool with some squeeze up is offered out to him. He sniffs it before pushing himself into the corner of his den. When the scratcher tool is removed, he begins to low growl again. Nizmo is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He is swatting, growling, and is extremely fearful in the shelter environment and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.