Eight-year-old Leo is a handsome tuxedo kitty with a sweet disposition and a lot of heart. But it took a little time—and a change of scenery—for his personality to shine.
Leo came to us in early August after his previous owners could no longer care for him. He was dealing with a persistent sore on his face and some other health concerns, so our veterinary team spent the next several weeks treating his medical issues and monitoring his progress. Once he was ready for adoption, we hoped this gentle boy would quickly find a new home.
But after nearly two months in our care, Leo was having a hard time with the hustle and bustle of shelter life. The busy environment left him feeling overwhelmed, making it difficult for visitors to see the affectionate cat we knew was there.
So we found him a loving foster home, and what a difference it’s made!
In a more peaceful setting, Leo has blossomed into an affectionate, talkative boy who loves being the center of attention.
He enjoys soaking up the sunshine, showing off his belly, and curling up for cozy afternoon naps. We think he’d be happiest as a solo kitty, with his humans all to himself.
After a much-needed break in foster care, Leo is returning to Nine Lives this weekend for another chance to meet his forever family. If this sweet, talkative gentleman sounds like your perfect companion, stop by and say hello!
The wait is over! The Nine Lives 2027 calendars have arrived, and they’re filled with the adorable cats and kittens from this summer’s photo fundraiser. Each month features a new collection of feline faces guaranteed to brighten your day!
At just $20, these calendars make wonderful holiday gifts for the cat lovers in your life. Best of all, every purchase helps provide lifesaving care, shelter, and second chances for cats in need.
Already preordered? Your calendar is ready for pickup at the shelter during our regular business hours (address and hours below).
Need additional copies? Calendars are available for purchase at the shelter, or you can order online with convenient options for shipping ($5 per calendar) or pickup.
Get yours while supplies last and enjoy a year of adorable cats while helping us save more lives!
There’s never been a better time to join Feline the Love Club, Nine Lives’ monthly giving program! Thanks to a generous MatchMaker donor, the first six months of every new monthly gift will be matched in memory of her beloved cat, Dottie.
Since moving into our new shelter this spring, we’ve been rescuing more cats and providing more low-cost spay/neuter surgeries than ever before.
But as demand for our services continues to grow, so do the costs of our lifesaving work.
That’s where our monthly supporters make such a difference. Their donations provide the steady, reliable support we need to care for cats and kittens all year long.
As a special thank-you, every new monthly donor will also receive an exclusive Nine Lives Monthly Supporter bumper sticker. Join Feline the Love Club today and double the impact of your first six months of giving!
Last week, a very special package arrived at Nine Lives: our 2025 No-Kill plaque from Best Friends Animal Society!
This recognition is especially meaningful because so many of the cats and kittens we rescue arrive sick, injured, or in need of extra care.
And we’re continuing that lifesaving work in 2026. Despite a 40% increase in intake compared with this time last year, we’re maintaining an impressive 97% save rate—well above the 90% no-kill benchmark.
The Nine Lives team with our No-Kill plaque
Behind these numbers are countless hours of dedicated care from our staff, foster families, volunteers, and rescue partners, along with the support of our adopters and donors. Thank you for helping us save more lives!
Leave a Legacy
National Estate Planning Awareness Week (October 19–25) is a good reminder to plan for the future and think about the legacy you want to leave behind.
By including Nine Lives in your estate plans, your compassion for cats can continue far beyond your lifetime—helping provide lifesaving medical care, safe shelter, and loving homes for generations of cats and kittens in need.
Supporters who make a planned gift are invited to join our Legacy Circle, where they receive exclusive updates and special invitations. They’re also eligible to enroll in our Continuing Care Program, which helps provide for their own beloved cats if they can no longer care for them.
Visit our Legacy Circle page to learn more, explore sample bequest language, and discover how a future gift can make a lasting difference.
Liam’s Corner
When our friends at Berkeley Humane reached out to ask if Nine Lives could help cats and kittens affected by devastating storms on Kauaʻi, our answer was an immediate yes.
The island’s only open-admission animal shelter was struggling with widespread damage and power outages from Hurricane Lowell, with more animals arriving every day. With the shelter nearing capacity, Berkeley Humane coordinated an effort to bring cats and kittens to the Bay Area.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve welcomed nearly 40 kittens from Kauaʻi, with more than 20 additional kittens expected to arrive this week. When they arrive, we’ll have taken in more than 60 kittens through this disaster relief effort.
Our team welcoming the first group of Aloha Kittens
Of course, getting them here is just the beginning. Each one needs veterinary care, food, safe housing, and everything else that goes into getting them healthy and ready for a loving home.
Taking in 60 additional kittens is a big commitment, especially during an already busy kitten season. But to me, this is exactly what Nine Lives is here to do. We have the team, the experience, and the community support to make it happen.
Dr. Liu and Keanu
Your donations provide the resources to care for these kittens. Your adoptions make room for the next life waiting to be saved.
And your support gives us the flexibility to respond when unexpected needs arise. Whether it’s taking in kittens from a local shelter or responding to a crisis thousands of miles away, we’re able to step up when it matters most.
If you’d like to help, please consider making a gift to support our Aloha Kittens. You can also make a difference by adopting or sharing our available cats with friends and family.
In the weeks ahead, we’ll be helping these kittens settle in, grow stronger, and find loving homes of their own. And our doors will remain open to the cats and kittens who need us here at home.
