KNOWN HISTORY:: Indoor Cat Previously lived with: 2 adults Behavior toward strangers: Shy & Timid, Warms up before 2 weeks Behavior toward children: no experience Behavior toward cats: no experience Behavior toward dogs: no experience Bite or Scratch history: On 12/20/25, she bit/scratched the owner; however, the incident did not break skin. Her escalating behaviors usually occur during rough play. When she initially snapped at the owners, they didn’t know what triggered the behavior. Litter box training: Yes, she had access to a covered and uncovered litter box with clumping, unscented litter Energy level/descriptors: High (often playful/busy) Other notes: Described as a very active & playful cat who prefers contact on their own terms. Spends most of her time where people are. Plays rough (mouthy, grabs, claws out, and may break skin or extend nails), chases and pounces on toys, likes things that crinkle. Chases bugs or moths. Received interactive playtime twice a day. Likes to scratch on rough rope, cardboard, vertical surfaces, or horizontal surfaces. Stress meows when trimming her nails. Unbothered when brushing her coat. Struggles or squirms when picked up or held. Hisses when placed in a carrier. She eats Purina one dry food and fancy feast pate wet food. She LOVES churu puree treats. Before her behavioral issues started, Bennie was a very cuddly and affectionate cat. She is one of the most playful and curious cats the owners have ever seen, and she loves to investigate anything and everything. She may hide in fear, nip/swat when pet for too long, and has a bite/scratch history. Bennie was brought to a vet, and no medical reason was found. The owners received behavior consultation; and after a couple of days of working with Bennie across a "screen door", Bennie resumed sweet behavior with the owner accepting petting and treats but remained a little "hissy" and "growly" with the parents who would enter the room to clean and feed her. The parents didn't live in the apartment and so were possibly mostly unknown to Bennie.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 2/16/26 PRIOR ASSESSMENT Bennie was crouched down hiding in the den with a tense body and wide eyes and then hisses, steps back, air snaps/nips, and begins stress meowing/whining when removing the den cover. When reaching close with treats on the scratcher tool, she spits and low grumbles, then pauses to sniff the tool. She leans back and flattens her ears when pet on the cheeks and continues to whine. When stroking her body, she turns her head back, nips the tool, hisses, and begins growling. After slowly removing the tool away, she lip licks and steps further back into the den. Pick up was not attempted in order to reduce stress. 2/25/26 FB73 Bennie is laying on top of her den, paws hanging over the front, tensing slightly as the handler approaches. When the kennel door is opened, she initially remains tense, but responds well to soft talking, beginning to roll on her side and rub her cheeks on the corner of the den. Petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, and she leans away from it for a few seconds before beginning to head bunt the tool, leaning into petting on the head and cheeks with the tool and head bunting firmly against it. 2/27/26 FB32 Curled up on top of den, then perks up, climbs down, and stretches when removing litter box to give space for a double kennel. She comes forward and quickly but gently reaches her paw out to swat, somewhat playfully, at my hand when attempting to unlock or open the door. She rubs her face on the door to solicit attention, then steps back when opening the door. Sniffs treats tossed in front of her, then walks forward, crouches down, and hovers over the front entrance to look down at a neighboring cat. When pet on the head and shoulders, she flinches and steps back. She walks forward again, is pet on the head, pulls her head back again, and rubs her face on the door. Appears to prefer contact on her own terms. After closing the door, she attempts to quickly and softly bat at the door or reach her paw out. 02/28/26 PRIOR ASSESSMENT Benny has made excellent improvements since her first evaluation. She now is reasonably calm, pokes her head out of the den to sniff treats, and allows a little gentle petting. After some petting, she went to make a possible gentle nip, but didn’t actually make contact with the assessor, but was otherwise reasonably calm. *Enrichment Notes continued in GAN*

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Lively

VOCAL:: Quiet

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

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

Potential challenges comments:: Reported to play rough, hide in fear, nip/swat when pet for too long, and she has a bite/scratch history (see Known History above for more details). Although Bennie may engage with attention by head bunting for petting or leaning in for cheek rubs at times, she may also attempt to nip or swat when feeling overwhelmed. Bennie has made some improvement in behavior since the initial assessment (see Enrichment Note above from 02/16/26 for more details). She used to hiss, growl, whine (stress meow), spit, or nip; however, after about 1-2 weeks in shelter, she warmed up to petting but had shown signs of possibly nipping (see Enrichment Note above from 02/28/26 for more details). When she spent time in the adoptions rooms, she was observed the head bunt for petting, lean in for cheek rubs, play with a wand toy, and tolerate handling (see video https://youtu.be/6X43N3bE2aQ for an example); however, she may also escalate to nipping or swatting when overstimulated from petting or handling (see Behavior Summary below for more details), which may explain why she escalated to a bite incident in shelter. On 03/08/26 around 6pm, an adoption counselor was doing an adoption interaction with Bennie. She slowly approached Bennie with a soft voice and allowed the cat to approach her before offering a puree treat, which Bennie immediately accepted. After eating she began licking the counselor's thumb. Before the counselor was able to move her hand away, Bennie tensed and nipped at her thumb, ripping the glove and breaking skin. Bennie is an active cat who would benefit from increased mental and physical stimulation to appropriately direct her energy. We recommend using fishing pole-type toys as they allow for vigorous and stimulating exercise. Puzzle feeders will also keep Bennie engaged and exercise her brain in addition to her body.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

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

Recommendations comments:: Adult only home due to fearfulness or conflicted behavior and bite/scratch history.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Bennie was crouched down at the front of the kennel with a neutral body and alert eyes upon approach. when spoken to and opening the door, she immediately gets up to greet the assessor and sniffs treats offered. She allows petting on the head and cheek rubs, but she hovers over the front entrance and is more focused on the movement and view out of the kennel. When stroking her back and reaching around her body, she lowers her body and tenses up but tolerates being pulled to walk out of the kennel. During pick up, she remains calm and a littler tense when held for 5 seconds. After placing her back down, she turns around sitting up, swishing her tail sideways, and raising her paw up. When slowly closing the door, she stares at the assessor and then lays down to rest curled up after the assessor walks away and Bennie is left alone. Bennie 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 reported in the previous home, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.