KNOWN HISTORY:: 5/27/25 Officers brought in a cat that was found in the stairwell of the apartment building. The cat was aggressive (showing teeth, close swatting of the paws, and growling) but officers were able to get the cat into a small crate. The cat remained timid and fearful on their way to MACC and displayed aggression anytime officers got near the crate. Two police batons were used to carry the crate in/out of the car and into MACC so as not to place hands close to the cat. Upon arriving to MACC the cat remained equally agitated, hissing and hinting that it may strike with its paw though never did. She was reclaimed by her owner. 10/20/26 Cat was confined to bedroom due to her attacking family members and defending the kitchen area. Owner stated for the past two days they have not be able to use the kitchen due to Nika scratching and attempting to bite. Indoor Cat Previously lived with: 3 adults, 1 child (12 y/o). Behavior toward strangers: Stress meows, growls, nips. Behavior toward children: Plays rough (can break skin). Behavior toward cats: No experience. Behavior toward dogs: No experience. Bite or Scratch history: Nika has a bite and scratch history. More details are in the potential challenges section. Litter box training: No litterbox issues. Access to one covered litterbox in the living room of the home, will use both scented and unscented litter. Energy level/descriptors: Medium Energy Level. Other notes: Nika is a quiet cat who prefers to watch from afar and prefers contact on her own terms. She is very active and playful. She spends most of her time in the living room or kitchen of the home. She enjoys chasing and pouncing on toys. She will play rough (extends nails). In her previous home Nika received interactive playtime twice a day. She will scratch on surfaces such as rough rope, wood, vertical surfaces, and cardboard. Nika's previous owner say "She is lovely when not stressed. She allows us to pet her, not too much, as she may try to bite you...but more like leave me alone. She plays a lot all over the house, and I love that she sleeps with us in the same bedroom. In the morning, she will follow us to the kitchen, making sounds to feed her. No aggression at all.". Behavior issues noted include: Plays rough (mouthy, grabs, claws out), nips/swats when pet for too long, and other. Her previous owner says that Nika tends to be more defensive and protective with her food, to the point that if any stranger entered the apartment she will run up to the kitchen to protect the food. Nika is a very picky eater. She eats both wet and dry food. She eats Applaws (both wet and dry) gravy and broth. Her favorite treats are Lickables from petco brand (She won't like others like churu). She will swat and nip when having her nails trimmed. She will struggle, squirm, and nip when being brushed. She is unbothered or will bite when being picked up and held. She will hiss and growl when placed in a carrier.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 10/29/26 ACFR98 Nika was sleeping in the den. When the den cover was removed, she woke up but staying laying down and looked at me with dilated pupils while lip licking. When offered churu on a long target stick through the side den door, she stuck her head out to sniff a couple times but did not take any. She also started growling on and off and then eventually got out of and on top of the den while continuing the growl with increasing frequency. She did go back into her den when the assessor walked away for a bit after which the squeeze ups brought from home was offered on a tray in front of the side den door, which she did initially take a couple small licks of but then stopped. 11/1/26 FB25 Nika initially low growls, but she settles as long as the door is kept closed. She is comfortable with proximity and will return slow blinks, stretch out, drink water and even bat at toys in front of me. It is when the kennel door is opened and there is any movement toward her that she escalates. She seems curious of me as I sit with her quietly for an extended period of time, and she stretches her legs out, twisting and exposing her belly for a moment. However when the door is slowly opened, she quickly escalates to hissing, yowling and striking. She seems to have potential to be a sweet companion but she needs time and consistency to build trust.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Bold,Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Pet-induced aggression,Overstimulation,Rough play,Fearful,Other,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavioral flyers on new home adjustment period, fearful behavior, pet induced aggression, overstimulation, and rough play. Nika has both a bite and scratch history. Nika has a history of fear aggression towards strangers which has caused her to redirect onto her owners. Her previous owner states "She can be carried by me or any other family member, if she sees an stranger, holding her can be tricky as happened to me once, saw a delivery person, and when I grabbed her to move her, she reacted against me by biting.". Her more recent bite/scratch incident was triggered by the building super entering the apartment. "My idea was to lock her up in my bedroom and closed the door. Big mistake. She was able to see the "stranger" through the french door. He left, and then hell broke loose. She won't let me go to the living room, entrance, or kitchen. She will make weird noises and be ready to attack. She cornered me by my desk, like saying "don't you dare to go there". She did the same to my other family members.". Nika also displays extreme forms of resource guarding specifically having to do with the kitchen area of her home where she is fed. "This year, around June, my mother in law came to visit us. She stayed with us for over a month. Nika never did anything to her, but she will get very territorial and not let her go to the kitchen. She will run up to the kitchen (we have an open space and can see to the kitchen from the living room) and make noises like saying "go away". This summer, we went back on vacation. 5 days. 3 friends were to help with her care. She attacked all 3 of them when they came into the apartment. Remember, in order to enter, you must pass next to the kitchen. Only way to provide food was making sure she was asleep and literally "reach in" while I was checking the camera. More than one time she sensed their presence, either by smell or steps." Nika should start off in a quiet room with little to no foot traffic to decompress in with close access to food, water, litterboxes, and hiding spots/vertical spaces like a cat tree. Multiple food/water stations and more than one litterbox would also make her feel more confident in her territory and her resources. A stable routine including scheduled play sessions, standard mealtimes (Wet food 3-4x a day, automatic feeders) and enrichment with toys, puzzle feeders, etc. would be very helpful for Nika to feel safe and secure. It would be best if initially one one person interacts with her at first. Since Nika is prone to rough play and overstimulation, people should approach her slowly so she is not startled. They can also utilize ritualized play therapy with distance increasing toys like a feather wand, and not petting her extensively to where she tries to bite is also recommended. Any interactions for physical affection should be initiated by Nika, with close attention to her body language to affirm she is enjoying the attention and not getting too overstimulated.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

Recommendations comments:: Due to behavior seen in the Care Center as well as behavior notes from her previous owner, Nika would do best in an experienced adult only home.

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Upon approach Nika is sitting next to her den with a relaxed face and body. When the assessor approaches the kennel door she begins to growl quietly. The assessor opens the kennel door. Nika's shoulders tense and her tail begins to sway. Her face tenses with her whiskers pulling back and her eyes narrowing with enlarged pupils. The assessor enters slowly with a scratcher tool, in response Nika begins to growl louder and her ears flatten. She hisses and swats at the tool. She begins to lunge forward vocalizing. The assessment is ended due to high FAS. Nika is displaying behaviors that preclude placement in the adoptions room and require further investigation before placement in a home. She is extremely fearful in the shelter environment and does not currently tolerate petting or handling. She has a known history of behavioral issues that need to be addressed. The behavior department feels that placement with a New Hope Partner is the best option at this time.