KNOWN HISTORY:: Taquito Chiquito was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on her behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 03/03/26 PRIOR ASSESSMENT Taquito Chiquito was reported to be very upset, and when the assessor approached, she was inside the den looking out. As he slid the scratcher tool through the door toward her, she immediately began hissing loudly and repeatedly swatting. The interaction was ended. When the assessor went to add a behavior sticker to her kennel card, she came out of the den and lunged at him. 3/1/26 FB32 Lying down in middle of kennel, sedated after medical exam earlier in the morning. Tense body, tilted ears, and growls when spoken to and opening the door. Steps back and growls when approaching to take photo. 3/2/26 FB73 Taquito Chiquito is standing at the front of the kennel, ears back, growling, and swatting when she is approached. Crunchy treats are offered and she does stop to eat them, coming to the front of the kennel when she is done eating them and continuing low growling, hissing, and swatting outside of the kennel bars. Kennel blocker and shoreline cover are added, and interaction is ended to reduce FAS. 3/4/26 FB73 1st Interaction: Taquito Chiquito is standing at the front of the kennel, low growling, ears back, and swatting upon approach. The handler waits in front of the kennel remaining neutral and after about 30 seconds Taquito Chiquito stops growling and puts her paw down. The handler marks desired behavior with "good girl" and walks away. 2nd Interaction: Taquito Chiquito is growling and swatting as the handler approaches. Handler lifts the shoreline cover and waits in front of the kennel until she sits back, stops growling, and puts down her paw. Behavior is marked with "good girl" and handler walks away. 3rd Interaction: Similar to the previous two interactions, she is at the front of the kennel, growling but not swatting until the shoreline cover is lifted. Handler waits until she stops growling and sits back before marking desired behavior with "good girl" and walking away. 3/6/25 FB20 1st: Taquito is sitting up in the kennel. When the cover is lifted, Taquito softly hisses. After she hisses, behavior is marked and handler leaves. 2nd: Taquito is at the front of the kennel gently pawing through the bars. Handle raises cover and she looks curiously, backing up slightly. A few dry treats are dropped in the kennel that she sniffs. Behavior is marked and handler leaves. 3/7/26 FB73 Taquito is at the front of the kennel, sitting upright, eyes wide and pupils dilated. Treats are placed in the kennel, and she immediately begins to eat them, not hissing! When cats around her (cat above and cat below) she does begin to low growl, hiss, and extend her paw outside of the kennel door. Shoreline cover is lifted and the handler waits for her to relax. After a few seconds, she backs away, stops hissing, and puts her paw down. Behavior is marked and interaction is ended. **Enrichment Notes continued in GAN**

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Energetic

VOCAL:: Quiet

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

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,Fearful,Very high energy level,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Taquito Chiquito has made significant improvement since her initial behavior assessment (see Enrichment Note above from 3/3/26 for more details). She used to hiss, growl, or swat during the first week in shelter; however, by the second week, she gently head bunts for petting and leans in for cheek rubs. She briefly tolerated handling but may tense up, look or step back, her tail becomes slightly pilo-erect, or her body twitches. Taquito Chiquita is an active young 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 Taquito Chiquito engaged and exercise her brain in addition to her body.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Adult only home due to initial fearfulness and sensitivity with handling with potential to escalate.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Taquito Chiquito was curled up resting at the back of the kennel with her head tucked in and tail wrapped around her body upon approach. When spoken to and opening the door, she wakes up and stretches her body. She ignores treats offered and sniffs the assessor's hand, then she leans in hard for cheek rubs. She welcomes petting on the head but then tenses up and quickly looks back with her tail slightly pilo-erect when stroking her body. After the assessor pulls their hand away and gives her a few seconds to calm down, she continues to lean in hard for cheek rubs. When reaching around her body, lifting her up, and rotating her around, she tenses up and focuses on the assessor's hand. She continues to tolerate more petting and cheek rubs but then quickly turns and looks back at the assessor's hand and her body twitches when stroking her body. After closing the door at the end of the interaction, she eats treats offered. Taquito Chiquito 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, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.