Meet the “Shark” litter: Mako and his sisters Hammerhead, Whale, and Tiger. While their names might sound fierce, these four-month-old kittens from Sacramento are a sweet, happy crew. But to get here, they had to navigate some truly stormy seas.
When they were rescued, the kittens were dehydrated, covered in fleas, and battling fevers and painful, inflamed eyes. Two were so fragile they couldn’t eat on their own and needed to be syringe-fed. But true to their namesakes, they were remarkably resilient.
With antibiotics, fluids, and time to heal, they slowly began to turn the corner. Once they were healthy and strong enough, they received their spay and neuter surgeries and are now officially ready to find their forever families.
Today, their individual personalities are shining through. Whale has emerged as the fearless adventurer, while Mako — the only boy — is the calm, gentle heart of the group. For an extra dose of sweetness, look for Tiger and Hammerhead, who are always curled up together in a cozy cuddle pile.
Together, they are affectionate, social, and confident. They will greet you with soft meows, chase wand toys with gusto, and snuggle up close for a long, leisurely nap. They have left the rough waters far behind, and now they have nothing but love to give.
Adventurous Whale (left) and the cuddle crew (right): Hammerhead, Mako, and Tiger ❤️
If you’re ready to bring joy, laughter, and a little bit of sunshine into your home, come meet the Shark litter at our Adoption Center this weekend. We’re open Wednesdays through Fridays from noon to 5:00 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
We Did It — Together!
On Giving Mewsday, December 2, your compassion created something truly special. Because of supporters like you, we raised over $120,000 to rescue, heal, and find loving homes for hundreds of at-risk cats and kittens.
Throughout the day, our community of animal lovers showed up in a powerful way. Each gift helped build momentum and carried us beyond what we believed was possible.
We are especially grateful to our generous Matchmaker supporters for doubling the impact of every donation and inspiring others to give. From all of us at Nine Lives, thank you for making Giving Mewsday a true celebration of second chances!
Bring Love Home for the Holidays
Looking to make the holidays even brighter? Come join us for our “Bring Love Home for the Holidays” adoption event!
Abbie can’t wait to meet you!
From Wednesday, December 17 through Sunday, December 21, all adoption fees are just $50. It’s the perfect time to open your heart to a cat or kitten who has been waiting for a family to call their own.
This special event is part of a nationwide effort in partnership with Best Friends Animal Society and nearly 300 shelters across the country. Together, we’re breaking down barriers to adoption — through reduced fees, simplified processes, and multilingual support — to help more pets find homes where they can truly thrive.
Your new best friend is waiting for you. Visit the link below to find your perfect match and make a cat’s holiday wish come true!
The holidays are a season of love, generosity, and hope — and right now, you can make twice the difference for homeless and at-risk cats and kittens.
Through December 31, every gift you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000, thanks to our Board of Directors and the devoted parents of kitties Mr. T and Abby. That means your compassion can go twice as far to rescue, heal, and place them into loving homes.
Together, let’s build a brighter future for every whiskered friend still waiting for a second chance!
Earlier this month, our medical team celebrated an incredible milestone: completing our 6,000th spay/neuter surgery of the year. The lucky patient was a sweet black kitty named Jiji, pictured here with her wonderful surgeon, Dr. Ramirez.
Because of this procedure, Jiji is now on track for a happier, healthier, kitten-free life. Spaying not only prevents future generations of homeless kittens, it also significantly reduces the risk of certain cancers and infections.
Six thousand surgeries mean six thousand lives improved, just like Jiji’s. We are so grateful to our skilled medical team and the supportive community that makes this work possible.
Liam’s Corner
As we close out another remarkable year, I’m filled with both gratitude and awe at what this community has accomplished.
Despite the constraints of our small space, we shattered another record and are on track to adopt out 1,200 cats and kittens this year. These were not easy cases. Each one received medical care, enrichment, and compassion, often for weeks or months, before finding a forever home. This is lifesaving in its truest sense.
Now, imagine all that will be possible in our new space.
With twice the capacity, we can save twice the lives. The opportunity ahead of us is enormous, and it is only possible because of you — our donors, volunteers, staff, and rescue partners who believe every cat deserves a chance.
Sometimes, that chance looks like Bobbie.
Bobbie came to us as a tiny kitten with a curly little tail and serious medical challenges, including incontinence that required daily care. For months, our team showed up for him, providing patient, hands-on support.
Playtime for Bobbie (left) and cuddling with Amelia (right)
Our senior vet assistant, Amelia, and our lead shelter veterinarian even came in on weekends to express Bobbie’s bladder and administer enemas. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it was essential. Bobbie endured it all with a sweet spirit, and our team met him with patience and care.
When we couldn’t find a local adopter equipped to handle his condition, Amelia did what true advocates do — she refused to give up. She reached out to sanctuaries across the country, determined to find Bobbie the perfect home.
Earlier this month, her persistence paid off.
Best Friends Animal Society in Utah answered the call. They had the resources to manage Bobbie’s daily care, and we had the experience to help cats with chronic conditions like FIV and FeLV. By coordinating a transfer, we could save even more lives.
Best Friends volunteers picking up Bobbie to take him to his new home in Utah 🧡
Bobbie is now thriving with a new foster family in Utah. In his place, we welcomed five cats from Best Friends who needed our help, including Scamper and Thomas (pictured below). While we miss Bobbie, we are so grateful to offer Scamper, Thomas, and their friends a fresh start.
Scamper (left) and Thomas (right) 💙
Stories like this are why year-end giving matters so deeply. And with our holiday matching challenge in full effect, you can make twice the difference. Your gift doesn’t just help one cat; it strengthens the safety net that makes second chances possible for the most vulnerable.
Let’s finish this year the way we started it: together, saving lives, and believing that compassion can change the world.
