Say hello to Tom, an adorable four-month-old kitty from the Stockton Animal Shelter. Tom was born with a rare condition known as eyelid agenesis, where parts of his upper eyelids didn’t develop properly.
Without fully formed eyelids, his eyes were left exposed and vulnerable to constant irritation and dryness. Tiny hairs could rub against the surface of his eyes, causing discomfort and putting him at risk for painful tears and ulcers. Left untreated, this condition could lead to severe damage and even vision loss.
Tom shortly after he arrived at our Adoption Center🧡
Fortunately, Tom was accepted for corrective surgery through a study at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. So, we arranged for his transfer to Davis and waved goodbye as he embarked on his journey to healing.
Tom received cryotherapy to separate the haired skin from his eyes, effectively eliminating the source of his irritation. Now, one month later, Tom has fully recovered and is back to being the playful, energetic kitten he was always meant to be!
This brave, sweet boy is full of curiosity and affection. He lights up with excitement when visitors arrive, often torn between racing around in joy or curling up in your arms for a snuggle. He can’t wait to find his forever home and bring endless joy to his new family.
Come visit Tom at our Adoption Center this weekend and see if he could be your perfect match!
September Adoption Promotions
We’re excited to announce that for the month of September, Nine Lives is partnering with Pet Food Express to offer a $20 discount on ALL adoption fees! And with so many of our kittens returning from foster care, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Additionally, our ‘No Orphan Cat Left Behind’ promotion is still going strong. Any solo cat — whether it’s a tiny kitten or a seasoned senior — can be adopted for just $50 (plus an additional $20 off courtesy of Pet Food Express!) through the end of September.
Lioness (L) and Sammy Joe (R) are waiting to find their forever families!
Explore our available kitties on our website at ninelivesfoundation.org/adoptions and visit our Adoption Center to meet them in person. We’re open Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 5:00 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Come find your new furry friend!
Where Are They Meow?
Spirit came to us in March after being rescued from the streets by a Good Samaritan. Initially, she was so fearful that we worried she might never fully socialize. Our Cat Care and Enrichment volunteers spent hours trying ease her anxiety, but ultimately the shelter environment proved too overwhelming for her.
To give Spirit the best chance at adoption, we placed her with an experienced foster parent who specializes in helping fearful cats. And just a few months later, Spirit returned as a confident teenager — no longer the timid kitten we first met.
Older kittens like Spirit often struggle to find homes during kitten season, and we were concerned that she might have to wait for her forever family. But then Kareem and Allison visited the Adoption Center.
They were immediately drawn to Spirit and knew she needed a patient family to truly thrive. They shared, “We instantly fell in love with her sweet soul and felt compelled to adopt an older kitten, knowing they often wait longer for homes.”
Now, Spirit is flourishing in her new home! Kareem and Allison report, “She started off affectionate but timid, but has grown into the most loving, adventurous, and honestly crazy cat. We love her so much!”
Spirit’s journey is a beautiful reminder of the power of patience and love. We couldn’t be happier that she’s now living her best life.
Are you feeling the love for our feline friends? Join our community of “Feline the Love Club” monthly donors and help save more of our cherished companions!
Your monthly gift can significantly impact the lives of kitties who are suffering, scared, and alone, offering them hope when they need it the most.
As a valued member of the “Feline the Love Club,” you’ll enjoy the convenience of automatic giving along with exclusive benefits: heartfelt stories about the kitties you’ve helped save, an annual tax receipt, special invitations to Nine Lives events, an annual report sent directly to you, a dedicated concierge contact, and more!
Your support provides Nine Lives with the dependable resources we need… and gives more vulnerable cats and kittens a second chance. Thank you for joining our mission to save lives!
I can hardly believe summer is coming to an end! I hope each of you had the chance to soak up some well-deserved sunshine and relaxation.
I’m proud to share that Nine Lives has reached some incredible milestones, and it’s all thanks to the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and you — our greatest supporters. Let’s take a look at what we’ve accomplished together:
Our Progress in Numbers
Adoptions: In 2023, we found homes for 690 cats. This year, we’ve already surpassed that, with 710 adoptions as of today — and there are still four months to go!
Spay/Neuter: Our team has completed an astounding 4,200 surgeries this year, already exceeding last year’s total of 4,109. This is a huge step forward in managing the homeless cat population and ensuring healthier lives for our community’s cats.
Kitten Rescues: Kitten Season continues to be both demanding and inspiring. Despite the challenges, we’re thrilled that we’ve exceeded our goal of rescuing 350 kittens — saving over 400 so far, which is nearly 50% more than last year!
But our success isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the lives we save, like Lyra and her brother Ben, whose stories remind us why this work is so important.
At just three weeks old, Lyra and her littermates were discovered in a flower pot in the Fremont area, desperately crying for help. They were weak and hungry, battling severe infections, intestinal parasites, and ringworm.
Without immediate intervention, their chances of survival were slim.
Thanks to Lawrence, an incredible cat advocate, and the team at Ohlone Humane Society, these fragile kittens were stabilized and then transferred into our care. Our medical team provided them with critical treatments, from antibiotics to spay/neuter surgeries. Over time, they regained their strength and were finally ready for adoption.
Lyra and Ben’s transformation ❤️
I’m delighted to share that Lyra and Ben (now Uno) were recently adopted into a loving home in Redwood City. Their journey from helplessness to a bright future is a testament to the power of compassion, teamwork, and community.
Kitten Season is a tough time for all shelters, and the sheer number of at-risk kittens can feel overwhelming. But with your ongoing support, we’re making a real, lifesaving difference. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey.
