KNOWN HISTORY:: Previously lived with: 2 older children and an adult Behavior toward strangers: Reported to prefer contact on their own terms Behavior toward children: Reported to prefer contact on their own terms Bite or Scratch history: None reported Litter box training: Yes, but the cat showed a stress response during apartment renovations and may had an incident or two. Energy level/descriptors: Medium energy level. Other notes: Reported to scratch on furniture and defensive when picked up. Reported to need some time to warm up and with some time Theodore will be friendly/affectionate.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: PRIOR ASSESSMENT 12/16/26 Theodore was resting alertly in his den with neutral eyes, allowing petting and head bunts while purring and accepting treats. He briefly engaged outside the den but remained wary of his surroundings, became tense during pick-up, and gradually retreated back to his safe space. PRIOR ASSESSMENT 1/27/26 Theodore was laying on his side on the top shelf of his kennel, observing the assessor as they approach. When the kennel door is opened, he sits up and backs into the corner of the shelf, continuing to observe the assessor with dilated pupils. When petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, he is able to be pet on the head, shoulders, and down his back but he tenses, body ripples, and looks back at the tool as he is pet before beginning to swat at it without claws. He is given a few moments to decompress before another interaction is attempted. This time when petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, he immediately bites it. Interaction is ended to reduce FAS. 12/14/25 FB73 Theodore is laying in his den upon approach, slow blinking as he is spoken to. He leans forward to sniff at the handler's hands before backing away further into the den. He allows the handler to pet him on his head and cheeks with their hands before sitting up and turning around to face the back wall and avoid further contact. 1/16/26 FB20 Theodore is laying in his den. He lifts his head when the door is opened and leans to sniff hand, before squinting his eyes and batting lightly, no claws. He sniffs offered liquid treat and ignores it. After a few minutes, handler tries to interact again with a scratcher tool and Theodore bats at it repeatedly before retreating to the corner of the kennel to ignore interaction.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Lively

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Social,Curious

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Inappropriate elimination,Overstimulation,Uncomfortable with pick up,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Previous owner reports that he is litter box trained but was eliminating (urinating and/or defecating) outside the litter box, most likely due to a stress response, during apartment renovations and may have had an incident or two. We are unaware of what, if any, modification steps were taken to try and address this behavior. Please note as well that Theodore has been diagnosed with FLUTD with crystalluria and is recommended a urinary diet (see Medical History for more details) in the care center, which may be influencing the urination behavior. We cannot be sure whether this behavior will continue in a home environment after treatment for the medical condition has been completed; however, we recommend that potential adopters be comfortable with management and modification techniques for elimination outside the litter box should this behavior continue in a home environment. 1/11/26 During the two week litter box observation period, there were 5 accidents (about 35%) on days 1, 4, 11, 13, and 14 reported. Theodore did not appear to like being picked up during their behavior evaluation. Please keep in mind there are many reasons why a cat may be uncomfortable with this type of handling and that this may not necessarily translate into a home environment. We recommend any future home with children be counseled in respecting the cat’s space and for the family to use care when picking him/her up, especially while he is still adjusting to his new home. Theodore is social and affectionate but appears to be easily overstimulated. As a result of this observed behavior, we recommend adopters who are familiar with signs of behavioral arousal and agitation in cats, so that interactions can be ended before becomes overstimulated. We also recommend fishing pole-type toys for play as they allow for interaction and vigorous, stimulating exercise while keeping human hands at a distance.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: Due to potential for overstimulation, no children under age 13, respectful older children only. Counselor discretion.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Theodore is sitting upright at the front of the kennel, looking at the assessor with slightly dilated pupils as they approach. He begins pawing outside of the kennel to solicit attention, patting at the assessor's sleeve a few times without claws before using his claws to pull their arm closer. When the kennel door is opened, he stretches forward, chirping as he approaches. He allows and leans into all petting for a few seconds before beginning to tail flick, swatting once at the assessor's hand, ripping their glove but not breaking skin. The kennel door is closed, and he is softly spoken to. He sits upright, tail flicking and looking at the assessor with dilated pupils before appearing to relax slightly, stretching again and leaning into the kennel door to solicit further attention. When petting is attempted, he again leans into it for a few seconds before swatting at their hand. Interaction is ended. Theodore 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.