KNOWN HISTORY:: Toby spent 1 day in the recent adopter's home and she arrived at MACC to return Toby due to a bite/scratch incident. She started Toby off in the bathroom and housed him there separated from the resident small dog and away from all the action so that he could begin to decompress. However, Toby began spraying, hissing, and growling in the car ride home from MACC and continued these behaviors once in the adopter's bathroom. He also began inappropriately eliminating (both urine & defecation) inside the bathtub. Each time anyone entered the bathroom, Toby would hiss, growl, and swat. He did not break skin on any person but, on 7/27/25 around 9 am, he did break skin on the resident small dog during a brief encounter where someone was coming out of the bathroom and the dog stuck his snout near the door opening. Toby growled and then swatted at the dog through the doorway. The scratch broke skin on one of the dog's ears. Adopter cannot recall which ear was affected. The ear was cleaned at home and adopter did not seek veterinary attention. Upon intake, Toby was silent and still in his carrier. Opted not to scan for MC due to DOH status/abundance of caution. Tilted his carrier and allowed him to walk into the fear free den on his own. Transferred with ease. Did not handle further. Animal Behavior provided on 6/22/25: Previously lived with: 1 adult; 12 cats Behavior toward strangers: Shy & Timid Behavior toward cats: Curious Bite or Scratch history: None reported Litter box training: No litter box issues reported; however, Toby is reportedly spraying. The spraying issue has been ongoing for the past 6+ months. He is an unaltered male cat that lived in a home with many other unaltered cats (both males and females). He mostly sprays the sofa or beds. Energy level/descriptors: Medium Energy Level Other notes: This cat is mostly described as lazy and a couch potato, often found lounging around indoors, especially in the living room. While generally independent and keeping to himself, he enjoys interactive play a few times a month, particularly chasing and pouncing on toys. He prefers to scratch on rough rope surfaces. Although calm by nature, he may hide when feeling scared. His previous owner appreciated his quiet, self-sufficient personality. Struggles or squirms when picked up or held. Unbothered when placed in a carrier.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 06/25/25 PRIOR ASSESSMENT Toby was resting inside his den upon approach and remained in place after the den cover was lifted, though he shrank back slightly. He allowed gentle petting with the scratcher tool through the side portal, soft hissing in response but continuing to tolerate the attention. Throughout the assessment, he stayed tense and wary of his surroundings. During pick-up, he remained tense, and once placed back down, he immediately retreated into hiding. 07/23/2025 ACFR Toby was grooming himself in his kennel when the assessor approached. Toby stopped cleaning himself as the assessor opened up the kennel door. When greeted, Toby stayed upright in the back of his kennel while lip licking. When trying to make contact, he would slightly move back further into his kennel. assessor used the want toy to play/ make contact with Toby, which was accomplished, however he stayed tense and lip licked. 8/5/25 PRIOR ASSESSMENT Toby was lying down at the back of the kennel, relaxed with his front limbs extended and his head and ears forward. When spoken to and opening the door, he tenses up, becomes alert, and softly hisses. When reaching close to offer treats on the scratcher tool, he retreats to the other kennel side and softly hisses again. After closing the portal door, he sits up at the back corner with his tail wrapped around his body. When pet on the head and cheeks, he leans back and dodges the scratcher tool. When stroking his body, he attempts to retreats to the opposite side of the kennel and hisses again. Pick up was not attempted in order to reduce stress. 8/8/25 Vol. Toby was sitting up towards the back of his kennel behind the Shoreline. His ears are up and pupils slightly dilated. He initially backs away from the tool with the treat, then comes forward for dry treats. After dry treats, he comes up to the front of the kennel to lick the puree off the tool, but backed away from attempts to pet him with the tool, then stares at the tool and then bats at it. Ended interaction, sensing he may improve, especially as he is treat motivated. 8/12/25 Vol. He was lying down on his side when I approached his kennel. I was able to scratch his head and cheeks by hand for the entire interaction. He purred and licked my hand. Very sweet boy! 8/17/25 Vol. Toby was not interested in petting, but was fine with me standing in front of the kennel talking to him. When I approached he was lying in the top cubby with his head resting on the portal. He leaned out to eat the Temptations that I put on the ledge, but he backed up a little and gave a little hiss when I tried to pet him. As soon as I removed my hand, though, he settled down, curling up in the cubby with his head resting on the side of the portal. I talked to him for a while, and he closed his eyes while I was talking. *Enrichment Notes continued in GAN*

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Curious,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period,Adult cat socialization

Potential challenges comments:: Toby is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He originally lived in a home with many other cats. He is very apprehensive of people and he may attempt to flee and avoid human contact. It is difficult to predict if he will respond to socialization but we recommend offering high value treats and food to help build a positive association to humans. Please be mindful that older cats will require more time and skill in order for them to be comfortable around people. During the transport and adjustment to the recent adopter's home, Toby was reported to spray, hiss, and growl. This may be a result of stress from the new or changing environment. In addition, a bite/scratch incident with the resident dog occurred due to an accidental, quick introduction (see Known History above for more details). During the two week litter box observation period in shelter, Toby was observed to appropriately use his litter box and there were no accidents reported.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home,No dogs

Recommendations comments:: Adult only home with no dogs due to adult cat socialization and bite/scratch history.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Toby's fearful behavior has been consistent with the previous assessments (see Enrichment Note from 8/5/25 for more details). During the re-evaluation, he was curled up at the back of the top cubby with his head resting on the portal door, focused on the assessor with a neutral body and wide eyes. When spoken to and opening the cubby door, he tenses up and hisses. He sniffs treats offered on the scratcher tool but then gets up, hisses, and retreats to the shelf when pet on the body. He lowers his body and tail to accept treats offered at a distance. When reaching close to pet him while distracted, he hisses and dodges the scratcher tool to avoid attention. Pick up was not attempted in order to reduce stress. At the end of the interaction, he retreats back into the cubby to hide. Toby tolerates attention and petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center and reported in the previous home with a bite/scratch history, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.