KNOWN HISTORY:: Hair Scrunchie was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on her behavior history in a home environment. On 12/10/25, the kitten was hiding under construction equipment outside the apartment building. Finder and her two roommates attempted to grab the kitten multiple times. The kitten was visibly fearful. When the finder reached out to pick up the kitten, it scratched her right hand and broke skin. Finder did not seek medical attention. The next day Caroline's roommate attempted to remove the kitten again and was scratched and bitten. On 12/11/25 between 2pm and 3pm one of the roommates attempted to pick up the kitten, but the kitten scratched at both of his hands, breaking skin. The roommate continued to pick up the kitten and place her in the carrier, but this is when the kitten bit his right hand and broke skin again. Once the kitten was safe in the carrier, the roommate went to urgent care.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PRIOR ASSESSMENT 01/02/26 Hair Scrunchie was crouched down hiding at the back of the den with a tense body and wide eyes. She softly hisses when removing the den cover and sniffs treats offered on the scratcher tool. She softly hisses and leans back when pet on the head, cheeks, and body. When applying gentle upward pressure with the tool on her side and chest, lifting her up and she hops on her hind legs, she remains tense but tolerates the limited handling. After placing her back down, she softly hisses and curls up while continuing to receive more petting and attention. 12/12/25 FB32 Crouched down at back of den with tense body and wide eyes. Hisses when offering treats on scratcher tool, then scans for escape routes when reaching close. Softly hisses when receiving cheek rubs and petting on the head. When stroking her body, she turns her head back and bites the tool twice, then releases. She continues to tolerate more petting and remains tenses. 12/13/25 FB47 Hair Scrunchie was hissing, spitting, and attempting to flee but was otherwise showing normal behaviors and mentation. 12/14/25 FB32 Crouched down at the front of the kennel upon approach. When spoken to and opening the door, she retreats into the den to hide. When reaching close with treats on the scratcher tool, she ignores them and softly hisses. She repeatedly hisses and turns to face the back wall and corner when pet on the head, cheeks, and body. She slowly quiets down, relaxes her body, and crouches down. 12/18/25 PRIOR ASSESSMENT Hair Scrunchie showed signs of stress, hissing and retreating to the back of the den when the cover was lifted. She was alert with wide eyes, vocalized stress meows, and shrank in place, but tolerated gentle petting on the head and body using the scratcher tool. The assessment was ended early to reduce stress. 12/19/25 FB32 Hiding in the den crouched down, softly hisses and steps back when reaching close. Stress meows when pet on the head and cheeks. Harshly hisses when stroking her body. 12/20/25 FB73 Hair Scrunchie is at sitting crouched forward at the front of the kennel, ears forward and eyes wide as she looks at the handler. When the kennel door is opened, she flees back into her den. A squeeze up is offered and she leans forward to sniff at it but doesn't eat it. Petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, and she is able to be pet briefly on the head, cheeks, and body before beginning to hiss and spit, dodging to avoid contact. Treat is left in the kennel and interaction is ended. 12/21/25 FB32 Crouched down hiding in den. Sniffs catnip offered on tool. Softly hisses when pet on the head and cheeks. Steps back when stroking her body. After she stops hissing and relaxes her body from more petting and cheek rubs, I end the interaction. ~CONTINUED IN GAN~

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Kitten socialization,Uncomfortable with pick up,Other,New home adjustment period,Escape artist

Potential challenges comments:: This kitten has multiple bite/scratch incidents as a result of being uncomfortable with pick up and resorting to biting or scratching (see Known History above for more details). In addition to the two bite/scratch reports from the finder and their roommate, Hair Scrunchie had another bite/scratch incident in shelter after escaping and then handling her to return her back into the kennel. On 12/25/25 at approximately 4:25pm, ACS staff went to clean Hair Scrunchie's kennel. As she opened the door and started adjusting the linen, Hair Scrunchie attempted to flee from the kennel. Staff then went to grab Hair Scrunchie and, as she did so, Hair Scrunchie bit her several times on the right hand, right index finger, and left forearm while still trying to flee. Staff then let go and Hair Scrunchie was later secured using a net. Staff sustained multiple puncture wounds and superficial scratches that bled. She cleaned her wounds prior to returning to work and does not plan on seeking medical attention at this time. Hair Scrunchie has not been vaccinated against rabies yet due to her age. Hair Scrunchie appears to be fearful and given her age at the time of the assessment (11 weeks old) we believe that she hasn’t had much human interaction up to this point and as a result is under-socialized; a condition that should be temporary if she is given appropriate interactions. During the assessment she flees, hisses, swats, and bites to avoid contact. She needs intensive socialization at the present time. We recommend that this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents who are preferably familiar with kitten socialization or are open to detailed counseling by staff. The speed at which the kitten will become socialized is hard to predict but given her age it we believe it may take some time.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Adult only home due to bite/scratch history, being uncomfortable with handling, and being an undersocialized kitten. Counselor discretion advised.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Hair Scrunchie is sitting in the middle of her kennel, observing the room with wide eyes as the assessor approaches. When the kennel door is opened, she immediately flees and runs into the den, pressing herself into the back corner. She is tolerant of some petting with the scratcher tool on the head, cheeks, and back but hisses before turning to bite at the scratcher tool after a few seconds. Interaction is ended to reduce FAS. Hair Scrunchie is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. She has a history of biting and scratching during pickup and is extremely fearful in the shelter environment. She 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.