KNOWN HISTORY:: Dusk was brought in as a stray, there is no known information on his behavior history in a home environment. Dusk arrived transported in a large crate. officers described cat as aggressive: cat was hissing and growling. It's reported as a stray- possibly somebody's cat. During intake handlers were able to handle cat without any issue.

ENRICHMENT NOTES:: 9/8/26 FB25 Dusk is at the front of his kennel when I approach. When I lift the cage cover, he hisses and lunges at the glass. I slow blink at him and talk softly. He continues to hiss and low growl, but eventually settles into just watching me with a hard stare quietly. I slip in a dish of squeeze up through the other door and he is actually quite interested, popping his head through the portal to sniff at it. We will start Fraidy Cat Club with him and work on building positive associations. 9/8/26 We have begun a behavior modification plan called the "Fraidy Cat Club", an Operant Conditioning training method where an unpleasant stimulus is removed when a desired behavior is observed. In this case, the negative stimulus is the presence of feline behavior staff; as soon as an improvement is noted, staff will "mark" the behavior with a sweet "good boy/girl" and then leave. The idea is that the cat learns to relax because every time they do, they "operate" on the stimulus causing it to be removed. This is currently their "reward" or "motivator" since they are too nervous to accept any other forms of enrichment. In time, we hope that the cat will improve enough so then we can transition to positive reinforcement. 9/11/26 FB58 In his den and hidden from view, he tries to reach out and swat as I close the den portal. He is hissing and growling as I lift the cover and swats and lunges. He immediately begins to hyper-salivate excessively, like a fountain, continuing to growl and what with a tense face and body, eyes wide and dilated. I speak to him softly as I slowly put dry treats through the holes in the side of the den he seems confused as be still hisses and growls, lunging a few times. When I switch to a squeeze up that I poke through the hole, something about it makes him pause and stop lunging and reaching intensely. It takes a while but he eventually loafs and begins to close his eyes. 9/13/26 FB25 Dusk is inside of his den when I approach. I slowly push a tray of treats toward his den opening and he hisses several times. He begins low growling when the tool is near him, but never swats. I talk softly to him and leave him once he stops hissing completely. 9/17/26 FB79 Inside of the den, Dusk is asleep and when i lifted the kennel cover he looked up hissing harshly with wide eyes. He remained in a relaxed position on his side as i kept speaking but also kept hissing with his eyes wide. I entered the kennel and Dusk perched with his paws tucked and his eyed dilated with more hissing but shortly after he settled down as he watched while continuously lip licking.

ACTIVITY LEVEL:: Subdued

VOCAL:: Quiet

CHARACTER TYPE: : Timid,Skittish,Independent

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES:: Fearful,New home adjustment period

Potential challenges comments:: Please see behavior flyers for more information.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: : New Hope Only

RECOMMENDATIONS:: Adult only home

BEHAVIOR SUMMARY:: Dusk was hunched in the front of his kennel as the assessor approached, body and face tense with his pupils dilated and his tail curled around his body. Dusk hissed when spoken to and he makes and maintains eye contact as the assessor attempts to unlock his kennel. Once the assessor is manipulating the lock on the door, Dusk hisses and swats towards her hand. Dusk swats the scratcher tool before it could touch his head. Pick up was not attempted at this time. Dusk 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 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.