KNOWN HISTORY:: Snow Bird was brought in with limited information on her behavior history in a home environment. She previously lived with another cat. There is a bite history. The owner was feeding Snow Bird and the other resident cat, and then was telling them "Don't do that" because they were doing something they were not supposed to do. After she said that, one of the cats lunged onto her and began attacking. Then the other cat joined. She was wounded all over her body with deep scratch wounds. Upon intake the cat appeared to be frozen and quiet. Carrier was opened and cat went into den with no issue.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 1/12/26 FB73 Snow Bird is laying in her den, eyes wide and pupils dilated, turning away towards the back wall of the den and holding up a paw as if to flee as the den cover is lifted. She tolerates petting on the top of the head with the scratcher tool but remains very tense, flinching as she is pet. Interaction ended to reduce FAS. 1/20/26 PRIOR ASSESSMENT Snow Bird is sitting inside of her den, crouched with large, dilated eyes. Snow Bird sniffs scratcher tool and starts head bunting and leaning in for cheek pets. When pet along her body, she stands up and circles in her den, her ears slightly flattening against her head. The scratcher tool is removed and as the den cover is being replaced, Snow Bird lunges forward and strikes at the cover several times. 1/30/26 FB20 Snow Bird is sleeping inside of her den. She wakes up and sits when the den cover is lifted. She sniffs scratcher tool and will head bunt it, beginning to roll around in the kennel. She will occasionally freeze to watch the tool and then continue head bunting. 01/31/26 ACFR Snow Bird was crouched in den with a neutral body. She sniffed offered squeeze up on scratcher tool before head bunting it, and began slowly leaning further out of den. Scratcher tool was removed and handler slowly reached toward her, allowing her to sniff their hand. She began head bunting handler and fully exited den, heavily leaning into petting on the head, chin, and cheeks. When pet on the back/sides she tensed, body and tail rippling and stared at handler’s hand before turning and head bunting again. Snow Bird continued to enjoy petting, rolling on her back and kneading the air with her paws while drooling and purring loudly. When handler withdrew and closed kennel door she returned to her den. 2/8/26 Vol. Resting in den, out of sight. Leaned out when given a cup of Temptations and squeeze-up on the tool, but head bunted tool rather than investigating treats. Enjoyed attention with the tool and continued to rub and head bunt for more, but could not be coaxed out of den. 2/10/26 Vol. Hiding in her privacy den. Sniffed at some Squeeze-up on the clicker but didn’t eat any. Had some bad discharge coming from her right eye which was already indicated on the white board. Swatted a bit at the cat dancer. Poked her head out of the den for some head scratches with the tool. Didn’t eat her evening meal but did eat up the tuna I added to her dish. 2/15/26 Vol. Resting in den, out of sight. Sniffed scratcher tool and immediately leaned in for attention. Would poke head and shoulders out, but not come any farther. Offered a hand near portal and after considering for a moment, leaned in. Briefly came all the way out of den, then got spooked and retreated. Poked head back out and enjoyed more attention. ~CONTINUED IN GAN

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Moderate

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Shy ,Curious,Timid

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Please see relevant behavior flyers. There is a bite history. It is unclear if Snow Bird or her cat sibling Ice Kitty first lunged at the owner. Redirected aggression can be triggered by a loud sound, such as the owner reprimanding them, and the stress of the incident could have led the second cat to also redirect on the owner. Due to a lack of further information provided by the surrendering owner regarding the cat's behavior in the previous home, adopters should be aware of her potential to escalate. She was initially displaying conflicted behaviors such as head bunting for petting and leaning in for cheek rubs, but then lunges forward and strikes at the den front door several times (see Enrichment Note above from 1/20/26 for more details). After about 2 weeks in shelter, she comes out of the den, continues to appreciate attention, and allows all handling.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : Level 3

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

Recommendations comments:: Due to bite/scratch history that was possibly triggered by redirected aggression or conflict with the resident cat.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Snow Bird was lying down in loaf position in the den with a neutral body and eyes when removing the den cover. She sniffs treats offered by hand, gets up to stretch her body, and walks out of the den to greet the assessor at the front of the kennel. She gently head bunts for petting and leans in hard for cheek rubs. She raises her hips up and keeps her tail low when stroking her body. She tenses up a little bit when reaching around her body and rotating her. During pick up, she is calm when being held in the air for 5 seconds. After placing her back down, she continues to tolerate more petting and cheek rubs and then returns back into the den to rest. Snow Bird tolerates attention and petting but may be initially fearful or stressed in the shelter, and may be intimidated by small children. She may be a little more independent, and may need time to warm up to her new home. Due to the behaviors seen in the care center and reported in the previous home with a bite/scratch history, we feel that this cat will do best in an experienced, adult only home.