KNOWN HISTORY:: Panther was brought in with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment. Panther lived with other cats in his previous home.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 1/17/26 Vol. Stayed in den throughout the interaction. Offered dry treats on scratcher tool inside the den and left them inside. ignored treats. Backed up, then sat up when scratcher tool approached to pet. Ignored squeeze up offered. Left squeeze up in tray outside the den.  1/18/26 Vol. Panther was in his den. I offered him squeeze-up on the scratcher tool, and I could hear him hiss. I left the scratcher balanced on the edge of the litter box and lifted up the den cover. Panther was in crouch, in the front of the den, with dilated pupils. He hissed again, but he did not react other than that (no swatting). He did not eat any of the squeeze up. 1/21/26 Vol. Panther was lying in loaf inside the den. It was not possible to entice her to come out for treats and remained immobile when pet with the back of the tool. Still fearful. 1/23/26 Vol. Panther was inside of his den with a cover on it when I approached. He did not take interest in a wet treat offered on an extendable stick. He poked his head out of the side entrance to watch as I retracted the stick with the treat on it.  He watched though the den window with dilated pupils as I lifted the den cover. He was perched in front of the den window and meowed softly as I spoke to him. He sniffed a catnip mouse offered in his den. He licked his lips once while following the slow movements of a peacock feather through his den window with dilated pupils and forward ears. He hissed and retreated with a slightly curled back when approached with the feather through the side entrance of the den. He regained interest in the peacock feather watching slow playful movements outside of his den. After putting his den cover back in place, I left him with a mouse toy and the peacock feather. 1/30/26 Vol. Panther was lying curled up inside den, looking out with wide dilated eyes. He hissed when offered treats on scratcher tool. When offered a pipe cleaner toy, he swatted (did not appear playful), then retreated further into den and could not be coaxed back out. 1/31/26 Vol. In den when approached, door opened and hissed when spoken to. Called his name again. No response. Offered dry treats on scratcher tool. Swatted. Stuck head out and looked at me. Withdrew head back into den. Lifted cover briefly. Is hunched over looking mostly to side. Hissed. Offered squeeze up on scratcher tool further away at first, then a little closer. Swatted. 2/1/26 Vol. Hiding in den out of sight. Poked head out and hissed when tool approached, then pulled back into den. Did not show interest in cat dancer toy. Poked head out when kennel door was opened again, but quickly retreated. Vet services reported that during vaccination he hissed but did not escalate. 2/4/26 FB32 Hiding in den, swats at door when removing den cover. Steps back with tense body, wide eyes, head sinking into shoulders when reaching close with puree treat on tool. Allows brief petting, then nips tool and hisses.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Panther should be given a slow introduction to the home, one room at a time starting in a small room like a bathroom with food, litter and water because behaviors seen at the Care Center [shy, hides, handling avoidance] strongly suggest that he will hide if allowed. Interact with him in this room until he seems sufficiently confident that you feel you can introduce him to the next part of the home without running the risk that he will hide. Please speak to an adoption counselor for additional information on methods to help introduce your cat to the home.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No young children

Recommendations comments:: Panther has displayed fearful behaviors during his stay at the care center and has been avoidant of handling. No children under age 13, respectful older children only. Counselor discretion.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Panther is crouched forward in his den, eyes wide, pupils very dilated, and body tense. When the den cover is lifted, Panther backs away slightly, beginning to repeatedly stress meow. Panther leans forward to sniff at the assessor’s hand before backing away, hissing, and beginning to low growl. Treats are offered and he does stop to sniff at them before lifting a paw and continuing to stress meow. He tolerates petting on the head, cheeks, and down his back with the scratcher tool but tenses, resumes low growling, and turns to face the tool, lifting a paw but not striking. Interaction is ended to reduce FAS. Panther 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.