KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 3 adults, 1 child age 1, 2 cats, and 1 dog 65 lb pitbull Behavior toward strangers: Hides initially, Actively avoids or retreats Behavior toward children: Actively avoids or retreats Behavior toward cats: Friendly & Outgoing, Swats, Stress meows Behavior toward dogs: Tolerant, Actively avoids or retreats Bite or Scratch history: None Litter box training: Yes, but going outside the box, both urinating and defecating. Unneutered male and 2 cats shared 1 box, cleaned only once daily and possible stress from the resident dog Litter box access: The cat has access to a litter box located in a separate room with a cat tree, food, and water, away from the dog. Litter box details: The litter box is covered, and the litter is clumping. Spraying behavior: The cat sprays on furniture (sofa, bedroom items, and dog-related items). Accidents: The cat urinates and defecates outside the box, including on clothing, furniture, and dog items. These accidents occur multiple times per week, particularly on the sofa and under it. It has been happening for a few months. Litter box scooping: The litter box is scooped once a day. Shared litter box: The litter box is shared by 3+ cats. Vet visit: The cat has not been seen by a vet, and no diagnosis has been reported. Behavior modification: No behavior modification has been attempted. Energy level/descriptors: Medium energy Other notes: This cat is described as often observing from a distance. It has access to indoor spaces, particularly spending time in the bedroom and living room. It enjoys playing by chasing bugs or moths, playing with water, and pouncing on toys, although it only gets interactive playtime rarely (about once a month or less). It scratches various surfaces, including rough rope, cardboard, both horizontal and vertical surfaces, and carpet/fabric. The cat has some behavior issues, including occasional litter box accidents. The previous owner mentioned that they currently don't have positive feelings toward the cat due to destructive behavior, which has been taxing for them. The cat eats both wet and dry food, specifically Purina One Tender Select Blend (chicken and salmon) for dry food and shredded canned food with gravy. The cat also enjoys treats, though the details are unclear.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 4/2/25 Vol. Scooby was crouched in den, looking out with wide dilated eyes. She sat quietly and watched a feather toy for a minute or two, then leaned out to sniff at the toy. She batted at it a few times, with slow cautious movements. After interaction, she played gently with the toy by herself. 4/6/25 Vol. Resting in den, looking out the portal with wide eyes. Exchanged half blinks with sweet talk, but then shrank further back into den. Poked head out to sniff a cup of Temptations and squeeze-up on the tool, but then looked up, saw me, and retreated. Sniffed again when the cup was inside the den and ate when dropped. Remained calm and allowed retrieving and refilling water and food bowls with the tool. Got braver and poked head out to eat more treats directly from the tool and from a cup outside the den, using a paw to pull it closer. Allowed head scratches with the tool while either. Didn't lean in, but didn't try to avoid the contact either. 04/07/25 ACFR Scooby is laying on his side in his den, body relaxed. As kennel door is opened he gets up and begins hissing. He does not accept crunchy treats when offered. Squeeze up is offered on the scratcher tool, and he sniffs the air and immediately pokes his head and upper body out of the den to eat it. As interaction is ended and I am out of his field of view, he comes to the front of the kennel to sniff at crunchy treats that were left there with him. 4/8/25 Vol. Was sitting on top of his den but when I approached he retreated back inside. Continued to growl on and off throughout our interaction. Ate some Squeeze-ups from the clicker. Followed the laser with his eyes. Never came out of the den again. 4/9/25 Vol. Scooby was crouched inside den, looking out with neutral eyes. With a little coaxing, he poked his head out to eat squeeze up from scratcher tool. He reached out of den to paw and bite at a feather toy. His movements were mostly small and cautious. After a minute or so, he pulled the toy back into the den with him. 4/13/25 FB32 Scooby has been showing consistent behaviors in our care center and has not shown improvement with daily interactions or enrichment offered. For this reason, the feline behavior team is going to discontinue recording daily behavior notes in Shelter Buddy. He is still going to receive daily enrichment and we will continue to monitor their behavior. Notes will resume if we notice any changes in behavior.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Shy ,Playful,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Going outside the litter box as an unneutered cat and shared 1 litter box with other cats and possible stress from a resident dog. See Known History above for more details. During the 2-week litter box observation period, Scooby appropriately used the litter box and there were no accidents reported in the shelter. He may attempt to swat when reaching close with a hand. He is more tolerant of the scratcher tool, but he still prefers contact on his own term. He may lip lick, hiss, growl, spit, or raise a paw up with a tense body and wide eyes to communicate when he is fearful and wants to be left alone before he escalates to swatting.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 4

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No other cats OR multi-cat home with adopters experienced with introducing new cats,Adult only home,No dogs

Recommendations comments:: Adult only home due to fearful and defensive behavior. Conflicted behavior reported with cats and dogs (see Known History above for more details). Counselor discretion is advised.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 03/11/25: Scooby was in the den, looking out the side door with large pupils and appearing somewhat tense. When the assessor began speaking to him, he began to growl. Then, when approached with the scratcher tool, the growling became worse, and he began swatting at the tool, and the interaction was ended. 03/13/25: Scooby is a bold, timid, and independent cat whose behavior has been consistent over the past 1 month in shelter. He has been observed to engage with play (feather wand) and respond positively with high-valued treats (puree treat); however, he rarely leaves his den for attention. He was lying down hiding in his den upon approach and then spits and quickly swats his paw out of the den side door when removing the den cover. He hisses, steps back, and curls up at the back of the den when reaching close to offer treats on the scratcher tool. He sniffs, hisses, and lip licks when the treats are offered and then he hisses, leans back, and begins growling when receiving cheek rubs. When stroking along his side and back, he hisses again, steps forward, and raises a paw up. The assessor slowly pulls the tool away in order to reduce stress and prevent further escalation. At the end of the interaction, he hisses and pokes his head out and back into the den when returning the den cover. Scooby is not open to interaction at this time and does not currently tolerate petting or handling and is really struggling in the shelter environment. Because this cat previously lived in a home for some time with a mixed known history, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, home with adopters who are willing to work with a cat who needs time and patience to help him adjust to their new home. Even though his eliminating outside the litter box may have been due to being intact and with other cats and sharing one litter box the adopters should still be well counseled on this issue.