Say hello to Kurama, an eight-year-old gentleman with soulful green eyes, a silky orange coat, and a majestic lion-like mane.
Despite his regal appearance, Kurama is a thoughtful kitty who prefers to take his time in new situations. Rather than rushing into the spotlight, he’s more likely to observe from a cozy spot before deciding it’s safe to join in.
Once he feels comfortable, his affectionate personality begins to shine. He enjoys the company of people he trusts and isn’t shy about sharing his thoughts—he can be quite talkative when he’s in the mood.
Kurama came to us in mid-April and, like many older cats, needed a little extra care before he was ready for his next chapter. After recovering from an upper respiratory infection, he underwent dental surgery to treat dental disease and spent some time recuperating with a foster family.
Now back at our adoption center, Kurama is dreaming of a permanent home. If you’re looking for a loyal companion with a gentle heart, come meet Kurama today.
Is your cat ready for their close-up? The Nine Lives 2027 Calendar Photo Fundraiser kicks off on Wednesday, July 1, and we’re searching for feline stars to grace the pages of our next calendar.
From July 1 through July 31, you can submit your favorite cat photos for a chance to be named our 2027 Cover Cat or featured as a Cat of the Month. Each entry is a $35 donation to Nine Lives and includes a complimentary 2027 keepsake calendar.
Once your photo is uploaded, rally your family and friends to vote for your furry contestant. Each vote is a $1 donation, and there is no limit to how many times people can vote—every single dollar helps us save more lives.
The cat with the most votes will be crowned our official 2027 Cover Cat, and the runners-up will be featured as our Cats of the Month.
Best of all, every single photo entered is guaranteed to appear somewhere inside the calendar, ensuring every participant is celebrated!
So get your cameras ready, mark your calendars for July 1, and get ready to share your favorite companion with our community!
Penske Lends a Hand
Nine Lives recently welcomed our first corporate volunteer group, hosting a team from Penske Truck Leasing-Golden Gate for a day of hands-on help at the shelter.
The Penske volunteers jumped right in, assisting with everything from kitten weigh-ins and carrier assembly to preparing vaccines for surgery, scooping litter boxes, and putting together adoption folders. They also spent time helping with cat enrichment, including a colorful round of kitty lick paintings.
Caroline Rogan, Assistant District Rental Manager of Penske Truck Leasing-Golden Gate, organized the event.
She shared, “Volunteering with my team at Nine Lives was such a fulfilling and enjoyable experience. It was so heartwarming to see the impact of our work firsthand and be part of an effort that helps improve the lives of so many precious cats. We’ll definitely be back!”
The Penske team at Nine Lives
Interested in organizing a corporate volunteer event with us? Contact our Director of Development, Phillip Keeling, at phillip@ninelives.org.
Liam’s Corner
As we head into summer, we are feeling the full force of kitten season.
Over the past several weeks, we’ve taken in more kittens than we’ve seen in years, including a growing number abandoned outside our doors. Every day, our phones ring with requests for help. Rescue partners are full. Municipal shelters are stretched thin. Community caregivers are finding kittens in backyards, warehouses, parking lots, and under porches.
Everywhere we look, there are more cats and kittens in need than there are resources available to help them.
Humpty Dumpty was abandoned outside our center
But rescue is only part of the story. We can’t solve kitten season overnight, but we can expand access to the services that prevent future litters and keep cats healthy.
That’s why, for the first time, we’re offering low-cost spay and neuter appointments on Saturdays, making it easier for working families, rescuers, and caregivers to access these lifesaving services.
Our recent Champions for Pet Health event marked the launch of this new Saturday service. Thanks to the generosity of the La Russa Rescue Foundation, Maddie’s Fund, and BISSELL Pet Foundation, we were able to provide free services to cats and kittens throughout our community.
In a single day, our team performed 73 spay and neuter surgeries, administered hundreds of vaccines, implanted dozens of microchips, and provided a wide range of preventive and wellness services for owned and community cats alike.
The Nine Lives team at our Champions for Pet Health event
But what stayed with me most wasn’t the numbers.
Looking through the photos from that day, I saw volunteers moving from one task to the next, kittens sleeping peacefully after surgery, and a medical team that never slowed down. I saw exhausted smiles and people coming together around a shared belief that every cat deserves care.
I’m incredibly proud of our medical team, led by Dr. Ramirez, and the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the day possible.
Events like Champions for Pet Health remind me what our community can accomplish when we come together around a shared goal. Every surgery, vaccine, and microchip helps create a healthier future for cats and supports the people who care for them.
The need is immense, but so is the compassion of this community. Thank you for making this work possible.
