KNOWN HISTORY:: Taylor was brought in from a hoarding situation with limited information on his behavior history in a home environment.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 3/24/25 FB61 In litterbox upon approach, body low, face tense and feet and tail tucked beneath body. He makes and maintains eye contact when spoken to, then he hisses with each treat and toy offered, ears tilting more and more. He is very uncomfortable with interaction at this time - needs more time to adjust. 3/28/25 FB79 Inside of the den, Taylor has his eyes wide with a tense crouched body. He doesnt care for any of the treats offered as he closely watches me and when the tool was slowly introduced he hisses harshly and start to lip lick. He tolerates brief pets on his body before hissing once again. 4/3/25 FB58 Sitting on shelf with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated. he hisses and tenses when the cage door is opened and backs away from the front. he flinches when pets are attempted and almost flees. Verging on NHO is he continues to flee or avoid petting and handling, starting on Gaba to see if this helps him with socialization attempts. 4/6/25 Vol Taylor was hunched up behind his litter box. Each time I put my hand towards him, he hissed. I offered him Squeeze Up and Temptations, which he hissed at. He sat up tall as if he wanted to leave his position behind the litter box. I did not pet him with the scratcher or anything else, because he hissed each time I got too close for his  comfort level. 4/10/25 FB58 Sitting at the front of the cubby bit runs to the back while hissing with a tense face and body when the cubby door is opened. I offer a tray with squeeze up and chicken before closing the door and stepping back to where I can observe. He slowly steps forward and investigates with a low body before he begins to eat. I click to mark him eating from far way. 4/16/25 FB61 In cat den upon approach, completely hidden from view. I am unable to coax him out with treats or a catnip toy, however when I check on him later when the room is empty i see all the treats have been eaten! Will continue to attempt to build positive associations… 4/22/25 FB61 Lying in litterbox, body and face tense. He hisses each time I place a treat down next to him and he sniffs the air when offered a catnip toy. Although he appears curious about the toy he remains too focused on me to engage further for as long as I have his door open. When I check on him later the treats have been eaten! I slow-blink and speak to him softly before ending the session. 4/30/25 FB58 In litter box in cubby, doesn't hiss when the cubby door is opened and watches me with a slightly tense face for a moment. Only hisses when I move my hand closer to place a bit of SU on the wall near him. When I checkback, he hasn't eaten any of the squeeze up or the dry treats I've left. 5/02/25 FB61 In cat den today, completely hidden from view. He does not come out when offered a catnip toy or treaties and he remains hidden for the bubble show. I respect his need for space and speak to him softly before ending the session. -GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Inappropriate elimination,Fearful,Adult cat socialization

Potential challenges comments:: Taylor came from a home with about 20+ other cats, it is likely that he was not appropriately socialized to humans. "Spirit cats" in a shelter context refer to cats who are very shy with people, preferring to live in a quiet environment and interacting with other cats rather than humans. They are often a good choice for patient, kind individuals who can create a safe and comfortable space for them to thrive. We cannot be certain whether or not Taylor will warm up to socialization in shelter or in a home environment and clients should be counseled on the potential of Taylor being a Spirit Cat. Taylor has been using his litterbox everyday in our shelter for as long as our observation record has been in use (a 2 week period) - however - he has also been reported to urinate and defecate in his cubby or outside of his litterbox for 4 out of 14 of those days. Animal care staff has reported to witness Taylor urinating or defecating as he's running away during kennel cleanings. The behavior team believes that Taylor's inappropriate elimination is fear and stress based at this time. The behavior team cannot predict if Taylor's inappropriate elimination will continue in a low-traffic and calm home after his decompression period or not. Any potential adopters should be counseled on behavior modification techniques to help reduce fear and stress with an under socialized adult cat.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Other,Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Taylor came from a home with about 20 other cats, it is likely that he was not appropriately socialized to humans. Taylor may be more comfortable with other cats in his new home.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Taylor was hunched in his cat den as the assessor approached, completely hidden from view. Taylor did not respond when spoken to or as the kennel door opened. Taylor tolerated petting from within his den with the scratcher tool while hissing and shifting away, tail wrapped tightly around his body. Taylor continued to hiss but he did not escalate further. Pick up was not attempted at this time to reduce stress. Taylor is an adult cat that may not have had many interactions with humans from an early age. He is very apprehensive of people and while showing no aggressive behaviors, he does prefer to avoid human contact. It is difficult to predict if he will respond to socialization, but we recommend offering high value treats and food to help build a positive association to humans. Oftentimes a cat from a previous hoarding situation will adjust quicker if there's another cat in the house. Please be mindful that older cats will require more time and skill in order for them to be comfortable around people. 4/17/25 Taylor no longer tolerates petting or handling. Taylor is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. He has tried to swat / scratch / bite & is extremely fearful in the shelter environment. He does not currently tolerate petting or handling. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.