June 13, 2023

Mews News:

Pride and Joy

At Nine Lives, we celebrate Pride Month and honor the incredible diversity within our community. Like the colors of the rainbow, our community is made up of individuals from all walks and whiskers of life, each with their own unique stories and experiences. We embrace the rich tapestry of identities and backgrounds that make us who we are.

Let’s come together to celebrate love, acceptance, and the power of diversity — not only during this month, but every day of the year. Together, we can make a difference and create a world where everyone is valued and celebrated for who they are.

Thank you for being a part of our amazingly diverse community. On behalf of everyone at Nine Lives, we wish you a Happy Pride Month!

Adopt a Shelter Cat!

In addition to Pride, June is the time for another celebration: Adopt a Shelter Cat Month! In honor of the occasion, we want to introduce you to Prince, a ten-year-old kitty who has captured our hearts.

Prince came to us five weeks ago in need of some tender care. He had an ear infection, an upper respiratory infection (URI), hair loss, and was plagued by ringworm all over his body.

Emotionally, he was terrified and lonely, constantly shying away from human touch. It was clear he had been through a rough time.

Three days after Prince arrived at Nine Lives

With gentle coaxing and soft pets on the head, Prince gradually started to come out of his shell. And once he did, there was no turning back. Prince transformed into a champion cuddler and expert biscuit-maker who is bursting at the seams with love.

We are thrilled that Prince is almost finished with his ringworm treatment and will soon be available for adoption. We can't wait for him to find a loving family who will give him the warmth, care, and affection he deserves.

Prince can't wait to shower you with love!

If you're looking for a cat who will greet you with purrs, snuggles, and a whole lot of love, keep an eye out for Prince. His profile will be posted on our website as soon as he is available for adoption.

During this Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, we encourage you to open your heart and home to a feline companion like Prince. By adopting a shelter cat, you provide not just a home but a second chance at a happily ever after.

It's About That Time

Mark your calendars and prepare those cameras because the 2024 Nine Lives Calendar Contest is just around the corner!

Our annual contest will be open for photo submissions from July 1st through 31st, and your cat could be our 2024 "Cover Cat" or featured as a “cat of the month!”

Stay tuned for more details in a future email. We can't wait to see your adorable and photogenic cats shining brightly in the spotlight!

Birdie was the winner of last year's contest.

School's Out For Summer

Although it's summer break, the incredible students in our community continue to inspire us! We are thrilled to share the remarkable achievements of some of our younger supporters.

First, we want to give a special shoutout to Nandita Paranjape, a high school student from San Mateo who organized a fundraiser for our cause.

Thanks to her hard work and dedication, we received a generous check for over $250! Nandita, your support means the world to us, and we can't thank you enough!

Nandita (L) and board member Jeanne (R)

Additionally, we were delighted to recently discover the creative talent of an eighth-grade student from JLS Middle School in Palo Alto. She captured our hearts with a comic book assignment which beautifully illustrates her family’s adoption story from Nine Lives. (Check it out on our Facebook page here!)

We're immensely proud of these amazing students and sincerely grateful for their support. Their compassion and hard work inspire us all!

Liam's Corner

What an eventful month it has been! This Kitten Season has hit us harder than previous years, and the relentless demand to save these delicate lives has overwhelmed our small but determined organization and neighboring rescues.

Already this Kitten Season, we've rescued over 130 kittens and provided them with the care they need to thrive. Today, I'd like to highlight the heartwarming story of one of our most recent rescues — an adorable 7-week-old kitten named Walter.

Two weeks ago, we found little Walter in a carrier, abandoned behind the dumpster next to our Adoption Center. He had a high fever, a swollen face, and a large abscess extending from his jaw down to his shoulder.

Walter's first day at Nine Lives

Although it’s disheartening when animals get abandoned, we are grateful that Walter found his way to Nine Lives. Our volunteers immediately brought him to our treatment room, where our expert RVT Cynthia provided essential medical interventions to get him safe and stable. Thankfully, we were able to ensure Walter's wound was treated before the infection caused any serious complications.

Just one week later, after a round of antibiotics and lots of love, Walter was healthy enough to receive his vaccines, get microchipped, and undergo neuter surgery. He is the friendliest of floofs and is now ready to find a loving and stable home he can call his own!

Walter is happy, healthy, and available for adoption!

We are proud to serve at-risk kittens during this critical time. However, the harsh reality is that saving lives comes at a great cost. If you can, please consider donating to help kittens like Walter. Your contribution will make a significant difference in their lives. Click the link below to donate!

Last month, I discussed the concerning trend of "black cat bias," where black kittens struggle to find forever homes more than their counterparts. I want to thank everyone who shared their stories about their own wonderful and gorgeous black kitties! Breaking the stigma is vital to finding loving forever homes for these beautiful animals.

One of our devoted supporters and donors, Nancy Powell, heard our call for action and visited our Adoption Center to meet our many black kittens.

It was a delightful twist of fate when Licorice, a three-month-old kitten from the Stockton Animal Shelter, returned from his neuter surgery just as Nancy arrived.

It was love at first snuggle, and the two (pictured here) quickly became inseparable.

Nancy and Licorice 💙

Now, little Licorice has a forever home with Nancy, joining his new feline sister Amy (a gorgeous Calico) and Zipadee (a stunning 16-year-old Vizsla). They spend their days cuddling and enjoying Nancy's piano melodies in their cozy living room.