KNOWN HISTORY:: Rocco was brought in with limited information on her behavior history in a home environment. She previously lived with 13+ cats and 3 small dogs.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 6/30/26 Vol. She was hiding in her privacy den when I approached kennel. Put some catnip toys into her den which she sniffed at right away. Wasn’t interested in eating any Squeeze-ups. LOVED Temptation treats! Wasn’t interested in playing with the cat dancer or the laser. Never came out of her den. Needs more socialization. 7/1/26 Vol. Rocco was lying inside den facing away from opening, with tail tucked around her body. She briefly came to den opening to sniff treats on scratcher tool, but did not eat, withdrawing back into den. She did not show interest in a feather toy. When den cover was briefly lifted, Rocco moved to back corner of den, sitting upright with a somewhat tense body. Her eyes and ears were neutral, and after a few moments she returned a slow blink. 7/5/26 Vol. Rocco may be under the weather. She wouldn’t come out of the den, but I never heard her hiss or growl. 7/8/26 Vol. Rocco was curled up sleeping on top of den. When offered temptations on scratcher tool, she looked up with neutral eyes. She leaned forward to eat treats, then sat crouched on top of den at back corner, with tail tucked around her paws. She leaned forward again to sniff scratcher tool, but gently pushed it away with her paw when petting was attempted. She accepted more treats afterward, remaining in a crouched position with somewhat tense body. She briefly sniffed a feather toy, but did not play, then settled into a loaf position and closed her eyes. 7/14/26 Vol. Curled up in small cubby when I approached kennel. She sniffed at Squeeze-ups on the clicker but didn’t eat any. Backed away from the cat dancer and started to hiss. Ran away from the scratcher tool. Still fearful. 7/17/26 Vol. Rocco was asleep in the upper cubby upon approach. He allowed light petting on his head while eating a wet treat in a tray. He continued to eat while my hand rested next to the tray. When he finished his treat, he lightly tapped my hand without extending his claws.  He then watched a laser light move around the castle. A small catnip mouse was offered with no observed response. He came forward again for dry treats. He was left with a catnip mouse and a hanging feather toy. 7/22/26 Vol. Rocco was lying at back of cubby. Her eyes and ears were neutral, and her body appeared relaxed. She quickly leaned forward to eat squeeze up from scratcher tool. After eating, she swatted the tool with moderate force. She poked her head into main kennel to eat more squeeze up from scratcher tool, then swatted the tool again afterward. After speaking to her softly and giving slow blinks for a bit, she lay down with front paws curled under her and closed her eyes.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

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

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

Potential challenges comments:: Rocco is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. She is very apprehensive of people and may attempt to flee and avoid human contact. It is difficult to predict if she 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.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 6/28/26 Rocco was crouched in the back of her den with neutral eyes and her tail wrapped around her legs. She leaned forward to sniff the treats offered to her before cautiously licking them up, returning slow blinks with the handler while eating. When petting along her head with the click stick, her body tensed as her eye dilated, but she remained calm. When transitioning to petting along her back and adding pressure to her chest, she let out a hiss. The interaction was ended to reduce FAS. 7/29/26 Rocco is in her cubby. When the door is slowly opened, she backs up and squints her eyes. She comes forward to eat squeeze up off the scratcher tool, but suddenly she tenses and swats at the tool several times with intensity. She will go back to eating squeeze up and swatting at the tool. When petting is attempted on her cheeks, she backs up quickly and swats again. The interaction is ended and Rocco comes forward again to finish her treats. Rocco is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and may require further investigation before placement in a home. She? has tried to swat, 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.