KNOWN HISTORY:: Previously lived with: Adults, Children, Other Cats Behavior toward strangers: Shy & Timid Behavior toward children: Plays rough (can break skin (lived with 1 child - 2 y/o) Behavior toward cats: Plays gently (lived with 2 other cats - females) Behavior toward dogs: No experience Bite or Scratch history: Yes. Melina has a previous bite/scratch to a person that broke skin. There is limited information on the incident but it has been reported that Melina will bite/scratch when someone is too rough with her or when she does not want to be bothered. She does not have a previous bite/scratch to another animal. Litter box training: Melina had access to one covered litter box, with scented litter, located in the bathroom. She was unable to see outdoor cats and did not spray. Energy level/descriptors: Medium Other notes: Melina has never had her nails trimmed or her coat brushed. She will swat when being picked up/held and has never been placed into a carrier. Melina can be described as a friendly, independent lap cat who spends most of her time in the living room. She had access to indoors only. She engaged in interactive playtime twice a day and likes to play rough, with nails extended, as well as play with water. She likes to scratch on carpet/fabric. Behaviorally, she has been reported to scratch furniture, cry/meow a lot, plays rough (mouthy, grabs, claws out), and nips/swats when being pet for too long. She ate Friskies dry food and likes any kind of treats.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 6/13/26: Melina is sitting next to her den as staff arrives. She has tense posture and wide eyes. She backs up and hisses, then climbs and sits on top of the den as cleaning procedures are completed. She continues to hiss at staff periodically, with her eyes darting from side to side. Treats are offered, but she does not show interest in them. Melina avoids contact with staff throughout the interaction. 6/22 Melina is at the front of her kennel meowing as staff enters with fresh catnip toys. She waits with neutral posture as staff opens the door and puts a kicker toy on her linens. She then begins to lick, grab, and roll around with the toy, at one point dropping it out of the door from playing so energetically. Staff returns it to her and she immediately resumes playing with it. Staff leaves her to enjoy her toy. 7/7 Melina is curled up sleeping at the front of the main area of her condo when staff approaches. Staff lets out a soft mew at her and she perks up and lets out a soft meow back. Staff slow blinks at her and she returns by half closing her eyes. Staff offers a finger through the bars and she smells it and then slowly accepts pets with the finger on the top of her head while closing her eyes. Staff moves to open the cubby and she hurries over to it to solicit attention. Staff opts to keep petting her through the bars as she rubs and leans into staff's fingers for pets. Staff ends interaction when she begins to eat out of her food bowl. 7/21 Melina is at the front of her kennel. She is headbutting the kennel bars and rubbing her side along them. Staff approaches Melina with the back of their hand. Melina approaches to sniff and then headbutts staff's hand. Staff slowly pets Melina on the top of her head and tries to pet the back of her neck. Melina quickly turned her head around and moved away from staff. A hand was offered again to Melina, which she seemed to prefer, and she rubbed her head against staff's hand. Melina easily becomes overstimulated so to prevent that staff kept the interaction short. 8/8 Melina is at the front of her kennel, meowing and very interested as staff approaches. Staff opts for a play session due to her high energy levels, she is engaged. Melina pounces and swats at the wand toy, frequently getting it stuck in her claws and knocking things over. Melina accepts some brief pets and then the play session is resumed. When staff went to put her lock back on after the interaction, she pounced at the handler and stuck her paws out of the kennel as if to continue to play. The lock is carefully replaced and the interaction is ended. **CONTINUE IN GAN**

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Lively

VOCAL:: Somewhat chatty

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Social,Affectionate,Demanding

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Overstimulation,Rough play,Uncomfortable with pick up,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Potential for Overstimulation: During extended handling, Melina exhibited signs of potential overstimulation, including twitchy movements, head flips, and quick changes in posture. While she did not escalate during her assessment, it is important for future adopters to be well-versed in feline body language. This will help them recognize when Melina may become overstimulated and allow them to end interactions before she becomes uncomfortable. Rough Play: Melina solicits attention and tolerates petting, but may play roughly. She is a young and high-energy cat that tends to swipe without retracting claws. Although this appears to be typical young cat behavior and motivated by play, it is important to note that this behavior occurs and that she may also be easily overstimulated. We recommend daily rigorous play with fishing pole-type toys and ending play sessions before Melina becomes overstimulated or if she begins to target human hands or feet. We also recommend using puzzle feeders to keep Melina engaged and to exercise her brain in addition to her body. Uncomfortable with Pick Up: Melina 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 her up, especially while she is still adjusting to her new home. During her most recent assessment, she was receptive to being picked up. It is important to understand feline body language to be able to comprehend when pick up will be more tolerated. Other: Melina has a previous bite/scratch that occurred when someone was being too rough with her. She will also bite/scratch when she does not want to be bothered. In her most recent home, Melina was hiding under the bed and the previous owner attempted to pull her out. This resulted in Melina scratching their hand and breaking skin.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: 9/26: Melina lets out a meow as the handler greets her. As the kennel door is opened, she lets out a few more meows. Her pupils are dilated, ears are upright, and her tail is hooked. She sits down at the front of the kennel and sniffs the finger the handler offers out to her. Melina brushes her cheek against their finger. The handler gives her pets on her head, cheek, and along her body. Melina leans into all pets and her tail begins to vibrate. The handler pulls away when her tail starts to quickly whip back and forth. A few Temptations treats are given to her and her tail settles. The handler then picks her up and holds her for an extended period of time. Melina allows the handling, looking around the room as she is held. She is placed back down and accepts a few pets. 6/26: Melina is at the front of her kennel, pawing out at the handler and letting out meows. She moves back and forth against the front of the kennel and rubs against the bars as she does so. Her eyes are dilated and ears sit upright. The kennel door is opened and Melina quickly nudges her head against their hand. The handler gives her pets on her head and cheek, she leans into all pets and begins to make biscuits. She then leans into pets as the handler pets along her back. Melina then climbs into the handlers lap. She makes biscuits as she receives more pets. The handler then picks her up, holds her for a few seconds, and places her back down. She quickly turns around and nudges hard against the handlers hand. She moves back and forth as she receives pets. Melina is displaying behaviors that may require further investigation before placement in a home. In two previous homes, her behavior has escalated to multiple scratches resulting in broken skin. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time. She has a known history of behavioral issues that need to be addressed.