KNOWN HISTORY:: Stallone was brought in with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. Scratch history: According to the report, the cat was walking by when it suddenly attacked one household member while playing a video game and then scratched the second person when they attempted to intervene. The cat's behavior appears consistent with a fear-based or overstimulated aggression event. Cats may exhibit this type of behavior when startled, frightened, in pain, overstimulated, experiencing a medical issue, or reacting to a stimulus that is not immediately apparent to people in the room. Once the attack occurred, the cat retreated and hid under a bed, which is also a common defensive behavior in stressed or fearful cats.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 6/29/26 FB73 Stallone is laying in his den, eyes wide, pupils dilated, ears forward and body tense as the handle approaches. He is offered a squeeze up and spoken to softly but does not respond, remaining tense. When petting is attempted, he begins hissing, backing away further into the den to avoid contact. Interaction is ended to reduce stress. 7/7/26 Vol. He was hiding in his privacy den when I approached kennel. Growled when I attempted to give him a Squeeze-up on the clicker. Swatted at the cat dancer but not in a playful way. He poked his head out of the den and I tried to scratch his head with the tool, but he swatted at that too and ran back into his den. Ended interaction to avoid FAS. Still fearful. 7/8/26 Vol. Stallone was lying inside den, away from opening. He ate crunchy treats placed in den with scratcher tool. He briefly turned to look out den opening, with somewhat large pupils, then retreated further into den. He settled into a crouch with tail tucked around his body and sat quietly. He did not show interest in a feather toy. 7/10/26 Vol. In hidey box, peering out when I was reading kennel card, then pulled back and could just see side. Put in treat bowl, some movement in box but no movement to treats. Approached with hard treat on scratcher tool - he leaned forward to sniff and then pulled back. Let tool rest and he leaned forward again and pulled back. Dropped treats in box - saw some movement. Approached again with treats on scratcher tool, let rest by entry - no movement or reaction. Let rest, removed and ended interaction. 07/14/26 FB47 Stallone was eating dinner and appeared calm. When a little petting was attempted, he pulled back slightly but then resumed eating and allowed some petting on his head and along his back. After about 30 seconds, he gave a single hiss, and the interaction was ended. Overall, he is doing reasonably well and is showing signs of improvement. 7/16/26 Vol. Stallone was inside his den, initially lunging at the front of the den when spoken to. On turning a back to him, he poked his head out of the den, so crunchy treats were depositing that he briefly eyed and ignored. He eyed the tool with the puree intently, then retreated to the den. With continued sweet talk, his eye contact softened but would not exit the den. Still adjusting. 7/17/26 Vol. Crouched behind litter box, ears forward, eye round, watching. Put treat bowl in main cage by entry, he leaned out to look and pulled back. Approached in cubby with hard treat on tool, he watched and pulled back a little. Dropped treat and he did allow head scratches with tool but kept head moving to keep track of what was happening in the room. He did not seem to want cheek scratches Someone came through room door and he became alert, still allowing scratches, listening. The person left and room door closed - Stallone gave a gentle swat to the tool to push it away. Ended interaction. GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Social,Shy ,Independent

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

Potential challenges comments:: See relevant behavior flyers. The behavior described in the scratch incident is most consistent with an episode of defensive or fear-related aggression. Potential contributing factors include stress, pain, overstimulation, a sudden startle response, or an underlying medical condition. Because the precise trigger was not observed, the exact cause of the attack could not be determined from the information provided. No additional witnesses were present during the incident.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: Due to observed behavior, no children under age 13, respectful older children only. Counselor discretion.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 7/2/26 Stallone was highly defensive on approach, hissing and lunging from inside his den. He remained alert with wide eyes and accepted soft petting through the side portal using a scratcher tool to maintain safety, briefly allowing head pets before retreating farther into the den. He continued to low growl and lip lick throughout the assessment. Stallone ate offered treats by the front of the kennel towards the end when left undisturbed. 8/2/26 Stallone is laying in the back of his cubby, body and eyes neutral as the handler approaches. When the cubby door is opened, he is initially tense. With some soft talk he stretches, approaching the front of the kennel. Stallone tolerates and leans into some petting on the head and cheeks but does flinch away when petting is attempted elsewhere. He allows the assessor to feed him a squeeze up and tolerates some more petting on the head but begins to stiffen and tail flick. Pickup is not attempted due to observed behavior. 9/2/26 Stallone was lying in his cubby and perked up with neutral eyes and forward ears. He sniffed the treats offered to him before eagerly licking them up. He returned slow blinks with the handler and allowed petting along his head. After some gentle head pets, his eyes dilated and he flinched back, raising a paw. He did not strike or swat but instead started moving towards the back of his cubby. Stallone tolerates attention and petting but appears fearful or stressed in the shelter. He may be a little more independent and may need time to warm up to his new home. We recommend this cat go to a home with experienced cat parents. Due to the behavior shown, he may not be a great fit for young children. Any home with older children prepared to adopt this cat should conduct a thorough interaction and endeavor to monitor this cat around their children to prevent these behaviors from being reinforced.