KNOWN HISTORY:: Sylvester was brought in without information on his behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 8/25/25 ACFR Sylvester is sitting on his shelf at the front of his kennel. Treats are placed in front of him and he immediately eats them. He allowed petting on the head for 5 seconds before tensing and swatting with claws. He continued to accept treats and allowed further petting with the scratcher tool on the head, cheeks, shoulders, and down his back, leaning into it. 9/3/25 FB32 Sylvester was resting lying down in the bottom cubby. When spoken to and opening the door, he gets up and hovers over the front entrance to greet me. He gently head bunts for petting but then steps back and raises a paw up when reaching around his body. Preparing for transport to move him to Cat Holding room due to reports of him reaching through the door to swat at staff, volunteers, and clients. We completed a cubby-portal-den transfer; however, it took multiple attempts because he would stand his ground and push against the portal wall to avoid going into the den. In addition, he would hiss or growl when handled. We eventually had to place a bowl of wet food in the den for him to walk halfway into the den. After he realized that there was a food reward in the den, he was more cooperative and was gently nudged through the portal into the den. After moving him into his new kennel, he walks out to sniff and explore, but he softly stress meows or whines. After a few hours and checking in with Sylvester in his new kennel, he enthusiastically rubs his face, cheeks, and body on the scratcher tool for petting and cheek rubs. He will tolerate petting on the head and some cheek rubs, but he will escalate to swatting when specifically reaching close or around his body and attempting to pet or handle him with human hands. 9/7/25 Vol. Resting in den, but immediately came over to the other side of the kennel when approached and ate treats tossed in. Batted at my hands when reading the kennel card, somewhere in between playful and aggressive. Initially hissed at a pipe cleaner toy sprayed with catnip, then played enthusiastically - biting, batting and catching it in his claws, while occasionally reaching out for my hand instead. After playtime, enjoyed more treats. Allowed a few head scratches while eating from a cup of squeeze-up, then batted towards my hand without actually touching it. After a minute, gave him a few more treats and offered my fingers through the bars. He sniffed them intently then stood back to get ready to swat.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Laid back,Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Calm

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Uncomfortable with pick up,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: He should be given a slow introduction to the new home one room at a time until he is confident enough to express interest in exploring without wanting to hide. He may step back, raise a paw up, hiss, or growl when attempting to handle him. We recommend using a bowl of wet food to coax him into the den/carrier for transport. See Enrichment Note above from 9/3/25 for more details on the transport example. Conflicted behavior or fearful of human hands: Sylvester enthusiastically rubs his face, cheeks, and body on the scratcher tool for petting and attention; however, he may be sensitive or fearful with contact by human hands. He will tolerate petting on the head and some cheek rubs, but he will escalate to swatting when specifically reaching close or around his body and attempting to pet or handle him with human hands. In other words, he accepts contact by foreign objects but is uncomfortable with human hands reaching around or touching his body.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: No children under 13 years old. Sylvester tolerates attention and some petting but may be fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. He may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to his new home.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Sylvester is laying in his litter box upon approach with his eyes closed, front paws tucked in under him. As the assessor opens the kennel door, he looks towards them and hisses with airplane ears. He is offered treats and accepts them, ears relaxing after a minute, leaning his body forward to reach for them. He is able to be coaxed to the front of the kennel with treats but retreats back to his litter box once he is done eating them. Petting is attempted with the scratcher tool, and he dodges it, pressing himself to the back of the kennel and lifting a paw. More treats are offered, and after another minute or so he comes forward to accept them. The assessor attempts petting with the scratcher tool again and this time is able to pet his head and shoulders, which he leans into. Sylvester 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.