Say hello to Spooky! This adorable three-month-old kitten from the Stockton Animal Shelter has already overcome so much. Found with a severely injured eye that couldn’t be saved, she bravely underwent surgery to have it removed. She also battled a stubborn upper respiratory infection, enduring multiple rounds of treatment like a true champion.
Sweet and spunky Spooky 🧡
But don’t let her story fool you; Spooky’s spirit is unstoppable! She transforms playtime into thrilling adventures, leaping into the air like an acrobat, her tiny paws swiping at feather toys with fierce determination. Once she’s dazzled you with her daring moves, she’ll melt your heart with the sweetest snuggles.
After nearly three weeks in our care, Spooky is ready to find her forever home — just in time for the spooky season! Could this one-eyed wonder be the perfect addition to your family? Come meet her at our Adoption Center this weekend!
Honoring our Lifesaving Team
This week is National Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week, and we’re proud to honor our incredible vet techs and assistants, whose expertise, compassion, and dedication fuel our mission every day.
Thanks to their efforts, we’ve rescued and placed over 800 cats and kittens into loving homes this year — far exceeding last year’s achievements.
Our vet techs and assistants play a critical role in this journey, providing compassionate care and ensuring that every cat receives the attention it needs to thrive.
Robert, our Lead RVT, pictured with one of the thousands of kittens he’s treated.
We are deeply grateful for their passion and hard work. Thank you to our amazing vet techs and assistants for being the heroes behind the scenes and making Nine Lives a true refuge for at-risk cats!
Get Your Paws on the 2025 Calendar
The 2025 Nine Lives calendars are here! These annual treasures are filled with beloved cat and kitten pictures submitted during our summer photo contest, and each month is more adorable than the last!
At just $20, our calendars make great holiday gifts for all the cat-lovers on your list. Plus, every purchase helps save cat and kitten lives!
You can come by the Adoption Center or Cat Clinic (addresses and hours at the bottom of this email) to get your calendars, but hurry — supplies are limited! If you entered the photo contest or preordered your calendar, you can pick them up at either location. Or, you can order online and have them shipped to you for just $5 each.
We’re not ‘kitten’ you — these calendars are the best! Come by and get yours today; they’re sure to bring joy all year round!
Volunteer Spotlight
Tim and his partner have supported Nine Lives for many years, but after attending our annual Kitten Baby Shower earlier this year, Tim felt inspired to get even more involved.
He recently became a volunteer Hospital Helper, where he assists our clinic’s medical team with daily tasks and post-operative care. This role helps advance our mission and ensures that the hundreds of vulnerable cats we care for each month receive the quality treatment they deserve.
“I love cats and want them to have rich and meaningful lives,” Tim shared. Having been an adopter and donor since 2010, he has witnessed our organization’s growth firsthand. After being laid off, he felt compelled to make a positive impact in the community.
When asked about the value of the Hospital Helper role, he said, “I can’t adopt every homeless cat, but at Nine Lives, I get to help hundreds of cats every month. It’s not just enrichment for the cats; it’s enriching for me too!”
We’re so grateful for Tim’s dedication! If you’re interested in making a difference, visit our volunteer page to learn more.
Liam’s Corner
As we celebrate Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week, I want to take a moment to express how fortunate we are to have such an outstanding medical team at Nine Lives.
Without their skill and dedication, we couldn’t provide the essential lifelines that so many cats in our community rely on. Our vet techs and assistants truly embody our mission to save lives, and we owe so much of our success to their hard work!
It’s been a great year for our small but mighty organization, with an impressive 65% growth across all our programs, including rescues, adoptions, and spay/neuter surgeries.
While this expansion presents many new challenges, our team has risen to the occasion, providing every cat with the dedicated care and second chance they deserve.
Adoption Center Supervisor Soledad, Dr. Mueller, and Vet Assistant Mailani with our No-Kill plaque.
Collaboration is another key factor in our success. Did you know that Nine Lives partners with over 50 different rescue organizations? These partnerships extend our lifesaving efforts far beyond our immediate area. By joining forces, we’re able to help cats in regions with limited resources, allowing more at-risk kitties to receive the vital medical attention and love they need.
One standout partner is Merced SPCA, which works tirelessly to help homeless animals and manages over 50 cat colonies in its community. Just a few weeks ago, they sent us Firenza, a brave three-month-old tabby who survived a horrific ordeal.
Firenza shortly after surgery ❤️
Firenza was found with severely burned ears, a large open wound on her back, and a degloved tail that needed amputation. After receiving emergency surgery and three weeks of care from the Merced SPCA veterinary team, she was stable enough to be transferred to Nine Lives.
Our team then provided the additional treatment she needed to complete her recovery, including vaccinations, spay surgery, and time with our Fear Free Certified Cat Care and Enrichment volunteers, who helped Firenza rebuild her trust in people.
With her uniquely adorable ears and sweet personality, it didn’t take long for her to find her forever family. Firenza was adopted just two weeks after her arrival and is now settling into her new home in the East Bay.
Happy and healthy Firenza!
Firenza’s journey exemplifies the power of collaboration. From her initial rescue and lifesaving surgery in Merced to rehabilitation at our shelter, it took the combined efforts of multiple teams to bring this special kitten back from the brink. Her bright spirit reminds us of what we can achieve when we work together.
If you’re inspired by Firenza’s story, please consider making a donation to help more cats like her. Your support is crucial for our lifesaving work!
