KNOWN HISTORY:: Socks was brought in from a hoarding situation with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 1/29/23 Crouched on top of cat den, body and face tense and tail wrapped around feet. He makes and maintains eye contact with dilated pupils and when I'm reaching towards him with the scratcher tool to attempt petting he backs away quickly. I do not push petting today to keep him from trying to flee and I leave him a toy and some treats before I end the session. 2/2/23 Hunched on top of cat den, face and body tense with ears forward and tail wrapped around feet. He makes and maintains eye contact when spoken to and when I place some squeeze-ups next to him via the scratcher tool he leans forward hesitantly and begins sniffing the air. I speak to him softly and slow-blink and I do not push petting today. When I check on him later I see the treats have been eaten! 2/5/23 We have begun a socialization protocol of "negative reinforcement" (Operant conditioning) which means that an unpleasant stimulus is removed when a desired behavior is observed. In this case the negative stimulus is the presence of the Feline Behavior Specialist (FBS), and as soon as an improvement is noted the FBS "marks" the behavior with a sweet "Good boy/girl" and then leaves. The idea is that the cat learns to relax because every time they do they "operate" on the stimulus causing it to be removed. In time we hope that the cat will improve enough that we (or the next group who has possession) can transition to positive reinforcement, which this cat is currently not ready for. Socks was in his cat den upon approach, body and face tense. He makes eye contact when spoken to and the assessor ends the session after speaking to him softly and when he returns a slow-blink. He does not eat the treats offered during the interaction. 2/7/23 Displaying similar behaviors as previous sessions (hanging out on den, crouched position, eyes alert and ears forward. Tail wrapped tightly). I spend some time speaking to him softly and slow-blinking before I place some squeezies next to him, and when I check on him later I see that all the treaties have been eaten. 2/09/23 Hunched on top of cat den, ears forward and face neutral. He watches me as I gently toss treats towards him and he does not eat them during our interaction. I slow-blink and walk away. I do not push petting. 2/12/23 Negative reinforcement session today. Socks is in his den, body and face mostly hidden from view. The assessor is able to see half of his face through the den opening and the assessor removes herself from his kennel each time he looks away or blinks. This was repeated 3 times. 2/14/23 Today I leave him treats for later. He is hunched on his den and I spend some time speaking to him softly and slow-blinking before ending the session. He returns slow-blinks, face and body remaining tense and tail wrapped around body. When I check on him later I see the treats have been eaten. - GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Adult cat socialization,Fearful

Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavior flyers for more information.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Socks was hunched on top of his kuranda bed as the assessor approached, body and face tense and tail wrapped tightly around his body. He makes eye contact when spoken to, then he shifts around and watches the door intently as the it opens. He tolerates petting along his head and body while crawling away and retreating into his den with a low body and tail. Pick up was not attempted at this time to reduce stress. Socks 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, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.