KNOWN HISTORY:: Lived Indoors Previously lived with: 2 adults, 2 other cats older male cat Behavior toward strangers: Shy & Timid, Actively avoids or retreats, Hides initially, Hisses Behavior toward children: Shy & Timid, Hisses, Actively avoids or retreat, Growls, Hides initially Behavior toward cats: Curious, Warms up after 2 weeks, Prefers contact on their terms, Hisses, Growls, Shy, Timid Behavior toward dogs: Unknown Bite or Scratch history: She has a previous scratch incident on 8/3/25: The client was attempting to groom her; she became overstimulated and attempted to flee. In the process, she unintentionally scratched the person—there was no aggression involved, no need for medical care. Litter box training: Noted to have litter box issues – Had access to 2 uncovered litter boxes in the living room and guest room, with crystal or pellet unscented and non-clumping litter. Shares with 2 other cats. Please see potential challenges for more info. Energy level/descriptors: Low Energy Level Other notes: Dorito can be described as an indoor only cat, that enjoys spending her time at the window, in the bedroom (under the bed hidden, or by the windowsill that semi-hidden behind furniture). She likes thins that crinkle but is not interested much in play anymore – she used to chase lasers when she was younger/thinner but doesn’t chase as much now, but may follow it and paw at it if it comes close and piques her interest. She gets interactive play time rarely to a few times a month, and enjoys scratching on horizontal surfaces, carboard, and carpet/fabric. Her previous owner's favorite things about the cat: “she's adorable even when she looks angry. Sometimes she'll come and sit on the carpet near the couch and just stare at us. On the rare occasions all three cats cuddle up and sleep together, they look so cute and cozy. She meows incessantly in the mornings when she wants dry food—a funny deep meow/growl. She's very demanding when it comes to food. There’s a little curiosity in her, like she almost wants to come sit with us or be near us, but then changes her mind.”. She ate both wet and dry : Purina Pro Plan Adult Chicken & Rice Formula – about 1/4 cup daily, and Friskies variety canned food – about 1/3 of a can daily (pâté, shreds, meaty bites; all flavors: chicken, turkey, beef, tuna, whitefish). She is known to display defensive behaviors, and will struggle or squirm, stress meow and hiss, swat and growl when she is brushed and has her nails trimmed or is picked up/held or placed in a carrier. Upon intake cat was stress meowing and hissing. Staff opted not to collar and was unable to scan due to the cats behavior and size. She was transferred directly from her small carrier to her kennel.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/14/25 *Previous Owner's Favorite things about her and some behavior info:* Previous owner's favorite things about the cat: She's adorable even when she looks angry. Sometimes she'll come and sit on the carpet near the couch and just stare at us. On the rare occasions all three cats cuddle up and sleep together, they look so cute and cozy. She meows incessantly in the mornings when she wants dry food—a funny deep meow/growl. She's very demanding when it comes to food. There’s a little curiosity in her, like she almost wants to come sit with us or be near us, but then changes her mind. When they were younger, she and her sister would jump on our bed and sleep by our feet, following our older cat who slept with us every night. But as soon as she realized we saw her, she would scramble and run away. Often her sister would leave too, but she would usually come back—this cat didn’t always. There are times when I can slowly approach her and give her a few scratches behind the ear. It seems like she enjoys them—she leans into it—but then realizes I'm touching her and runs off. 10/17/25 FB79 Dorito is curled up in her box, and hissed when i lift the kennel cover to see her. She has a neutral face but continues to hiss and growl as i toss treats inside. She suddenly swats trying to strike my hand and lip licks as i speak to her and slow blink.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Shy ,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Inappropriate elimination,Overstimulation,Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Client surrendered Dorito due to issues with her continued hiding and adjustment to the resident cat in the home. She is noted to hide a lot and only come out to eat and will play at times. She is noted to have weight management issues since she was spayed and this is exacerbated by her continued hiding, limited physical activity, as well as her eating the food the other two cats leave after they have finished eating. Dorito has reached the point where she is at a weight where she cannot groom herself properly and the owner has had to use pet wipes or give her a bath which stresses her out to the point that she will bite her own legs and paws. She is also noted to swat at times when the client attempts to interact with her which has resulted in broken skin (last incident being a month ago). The client provided further information on her reasons for surrender: "Client took in two kittens from outside her work after losing one of her cats and noticing her resident cat was struggling/grieving. When the two cats entered the home, Dorito's sibling bonded with the resident cat but she struggled to adjust/ warm up and hid in different places around the home, only coming out when it was time to eat. She was an active cat and sometimes would come out and chase the laser toy. However the client states that after she got the cats spayed, Dorito began to drastically gain weight due to her limited activity and eating more than her share of food. This has been going on for so long that the weight has just got out of control. The client feels she isn't thriving in her home and requires both medical attention as well as a home that can accommodate her need for independence." Noted to have inappropriate elimination issues and will urinate on carpets/rugs when new ones or freshly wash ones are laid out. Owner states that it is "not every month, but maybe every other month. Especially when we place new rugs, or freshly washed carpets on the floor. During Halloween and Christmas especially since we put out a few seasonal rugs/carpets all over the house. We have hardwood on all floors.". This is reported to happen every 2-3 days, and they owner is not sure of the cause "especially because she seems to like the carpets. She lays on them, rolls around on them, and sleeps on them the first day or two, then before the week is out, we wake up to find it wrinkled up and peed on. We know its her because the other 2 cats are usually in bed with us most of the night, and her tush is wet." This behavior is potentially related to scent marking and may be territorial due to Dorito specifically enjoying the carpets and being the more fearful cat in the home, she may be getting her scent on the spots she likes when she is comfortable being out at night (especially since she repeats the behaviors after the carpets are washed). She has not been seen by a vet and nothing was done to alter the behaviors.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: No other cats OR multi-cat home with adopters experienced with introducing new cats,Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Dorito appears to be a very fearful cat that would spend most of her time hiding in various areas of the home due to not getting along with the initial resident cat. She would do best in a home with no other cats where she can feel more comfortable coming out and exploring at all times of day and not just to eat. Owner notes that with other cats, she is; curious, warms up after 2 weeks, prefers contact on their terms, hisses, growls, and is shy & timid. She does not do well with children and is noted to be: shy & timid, hiss, actively avoid or retreat, growl, and hide initially.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: On approach, Dorito is sitting in her litter box with a tense face and body, low growling with eyes wide and dilated and ears tilted. As the cage door is opened, and the assessor slowly offers out the scratcher tool, she hisses and lunges touching the tool with her nose. She repeats this each time the assessor attempts to touch her head. When the tool is moved towards her body, she remains tense and hisses and low growls as she is tolerant of a few pets and a pass along her side. When the tool is slowly pulled back, she hisses and swats it multiple times. She displays high levels of FAS and appears very uncomfortable with interacting at this time and the assessment is ended. Pick up is not attempted both due to behaviors being presented as well as due to her size. Dorito is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and/or may require further investigation before placement in a home. She has tried to swat is extremely fearful in the shelter environment, and 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. She may have a known history of behavioral issues that need to be addressed.