Mews News: Worth the Wait

January 22, 2026

Mews News:

Worth the Wait

Say hello to Banshee, an adorable five-month-old tabby from the Los Banos Animal Shelter. She has been with us since early November, making her our current longest-term resident—a title she is very ready to give up.

Banshee and her siblings arrived with several health challenges, including a stubborn case of ringworm and a respiratory infection so bad that Banshee's tiny eyes were swollen shut. For two months, our medical team worked hard to get them healthy, providing the antibiotics, antifungals, and frequent medicated baths they needed to heal.

Two weeks ago, as the kittens were finally being cleared for adoption, a routine exam showed that Banshee had an umbilical hernia. While her brothers and sisters got ready to meet potential adopters and head to new homes, Banshee had to stay behind for one more hurdle.

Banshee had a successful procedure at our clinic yesterday and is recovering beautifully. After months of medical challenges, she is finally ready to meet her forever family!

While her name might suggest a fierce personality, Banshee is actually a gentle, quiet soul. She may be shy at first, but once she feels safe, she becomes an affectionate "velcro kitty" who loves nothing more than being held and carried around. She is the perfect blend of a playful kitten and a loyal companion who just wants to be near her people.

Banshee has spent nearly her entire life in rescue, and she is more than ready to swap her kennel for a couch. If you have a calm home and a heart big enough for a kitten who has beaten the odds, Banshee might be the perfect match for you.

Come meet her at our Adoption Center this week! We're open Wednesdays through Fridays from noon to 5:00 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Help Us Save More Kitties Like Banshee

Spay and Neuter Awareness

February is almost here, and with it comes Spay and Neuter Awareness Month—a perfect time to highlight one of the most powerful ways to protect our feline friends.

Beyond reducing overpopulation and preventing homelessness, spaying and neutering offer significant health benefits like lowering cancer risks and reducing risky behaviors like roaming and fighting.

For our community cats, Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs are truly lifesaving. TNR helps ensure that feral colonies are healthier while creating safer neighborhoods for everyone.

If you live in San Mateo County, you can apply for vouchers to help cover these surgery costs. These vouchers cover 100% of feral surgeries and provide $150 for privately owned cats. Click here to learn more.

If your own cat hasn’t been spayed or neutered yet, now is an ideal time. Our clinic offers high‑quality, affordable services because we believe cost should never be a barrier to giving your pet a healthy life. Schedule your appointment today to help us save more lives!

Mew Year's Resolutions

A new year is a perfect time to turn your resolutions into action for cats in need. If you want to make a lasting impact for at-risk cats in the Bay Area and beyond, here are a few ways to help:

Legacy Giving: Including Nine Lives in your estate plans is a beautiful way to protect future generations of kitties. You can also join our Continued Care program to guarantee your own beloved pets will always have a safe place to land. Visit our Legacy Giving page for details and sample wording.

Donate Stock: Gifts of appreciated stock help cats while providing you with significant financial benefits. By donating stock, you may avoid capital gains tax and deduct the full value of your contribution. DonateStock.com offers secure online transfers directly from your brokerage account in just minutes. If you prefer to donate directly to Nine Lives, email giving@ninelivesfoundation.org for instructions.

2026 Tax Benefits: Even if you don't itemize your taxes, individuals can now deduct up to $1,000 for cash or credit card gifts. For married couples, the deduction is up to $2,000. This new "universal deduction" makes it easier for everyone to save lives while receiving a tax benefit at the same time.

Note: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. We recommend consulting with a tax professional to discuss your specific situation.

Liam’s Corner

As we step into the new year, I want to pause and celebrate the incredible Nine Lives community. Because of you, 2025 was a year of remarkable growth and lifesaving impact. Together we didn’t just respond to need—we expanded what was possible for cats across our community and beyond.

Here’s a snapshot of what you helped make happen in 2025:

• Finding Homes: 1,174 cats were adopted into loving families.

• Providing a Safety Net: 1,184 cats and kittens were rescued from vulnerable situations.

• Specialized Care: We cared for 751 kittens—including orphans and neonates—and performed 171 advanced surgeries for cats in need of complex care.

• Community Health: We administered 12,341 vaccines and performed 6,518 spay and neuter surgeries to help stabilize the local cat population and prevent future suffering.

• A Growing Network: Our 156 active foster homes provided a soft place to land for 694 cats, showing that our walls extend far beyond the shelter itself.

Behind every number is a dedicated staff member, volunteer, and supporter choosing compassion again and again.

While many enjoyed a restful holiday season, our team has been working tirelessly. Although "kitten season" typically begins in the spring, we’ve already rescued a homeless mama cat and her tiny newborns—a reminder that our work never stops. Stay tuned for an update about Clawdeen and her kittens in next month’s Mews News.

We are also moving full steam ahead toward our new Furever Home, where construction and renovations are in full swing. As you can see from the photos below, the space is finally taking shape—bringing us closer to ensuring that whenever a cat needs help, Nine Lives is ready. This long-awaited milestone was only made possible by your belief in our mission.

Give to our Furever Home Campaign

Thank you for standing with us, trusting us, and helping us save lives. We are just getting started, and I am so honored you are on this journey with us.

With gratitude,