Meet Marty, Biff, and Lorraine — the “Back to the Future” litter! These eight-week-old kittens came to us in April from the Hayward Animal Shelter. Sneezing, congested, and struggling with swollen, watery eyes, they needed medical care, comfort, and time to heal.
After an initial checkup at our Adoption Center, they went to stay with one of our wonderful foster families to rest and recover.
But when their symptoms worsened and they began losing weight, they returned to Nine Lives for hospitalization, where they could receive the intensive support their fragile bodies required.
With fluids, antibiotics, eye ointments, and the attentive care of our medical team, they slowly began to heal. Now, Marty (pictured above), Biff, and Lorraine are healthy, playful, and finally big enough for their spay and neuter surgeries. They will be available for adoption this weekend!
Adorable tabby siblings Lorraine (L) and Biff (R)
Each kitten has a personality as unique as their namesake. Marty is the calm and quiet observer, happiest watching the action from the sidelines. Lorraine is a whirlwind of energy who never tires of toys or playtime. And Biff is a balance of both — playful and curious, but always up for a snuggle.
They’ve overcome a rough beginning, and now they’re ready for something new — a warm bed, a safe home, and someone to love them forever.
They can’t wait to meet the people who will turn their second chance into a beautiful future filled with love, comfort, and companionship.
P.S. Along with Marty, Biff, and Lorraine, around 40 other adorable kittens will be waiting to meet their forever families this weekend! Come by our Adoption Center and give a kitty the loving home they deserve.
After adopting her cat Ube, a Nine Lives alum, Lauryn felt inspired to give back. “I wanted to repay the kindness Ube received by helping other cats in need,” she shared. “I don’t know her past, but I know how much I cherish the chaos and companionship she brings to my life. I have Nine Lives to thank for that.”
Formerly a video game software engineer, Lauryn is now pursuing pre-veterinary courses at UC Berkeley Extension, with her sights set on shelter medicine. “Volunteering here has really cemented that goal for me,” she says.
Lauryn volunteers as a surgery assistant at our clinic, where she supports the medical team during spay/neuter procedures. It’s hands-on experience that’s both practical and personal.
“I grew up in a family who sometimes struggled to afford vet care,” Lauryn shared. “It means a lot to be part of an organization that offers affordable animal welfare services to the community.”
Lauryn brings calm, compassion, and curiosity to every shift — qualities that will no doubt make her a phenomenal shelter vet one day. We’re lucky to be part of her journey.
Want to join our incredible volunteer team? Submit an application via the link below!
Sienna’s family, who adopted her from Nine Lives last summer, shared a heartfelt story of love, trust, and transformation.
After losing their beloved 18-year-old cat to cancer, the family waited until they were ready to adopt again. Nine Lives was the first and only shelter they visited, and Sienna was the first cat they met.
Sienna at our Adoption Center
“She was a scrawny, all-black cat, around two years old,” they recalled. “She’d just had a litter of kittens and was quite raggedy looking. But when I opened her cage, she immediately rolled onto her back and let me pet her tummy. I felt an instant connection.”
Though they’d come looking for a younger cat, they found themselves drawn back to Sienna again and again. “She was so warm and relaxed,” they said.
At home, however, Sienna was shy and skittish. “Even after she ate, she would slowly back away from her dish, as if she was afraid of being attacked,” the adopter shared. “She’d also run away from us when we approached her, so we learned it was best to wait for her to come to us.”
During a moment of concern, they called Nine Lives for advice. As they spoke with one of our veterinary assistants, Sienna surprised them by jumping up and lying right beside them. “The staff member advised giving her time to adjust,” the adopter said, “and she was right.”
Sienna settling in to her new home
In the months that followed, Sienna blossomed. “She is all we could have dreamed of. She’s warm, playful, friendly, and the least finicky eater I’ve ever seen. She has no problem being picked up, and even purrs while doing so. She also ‘hunts’ for me and leaves her stuffed animal prizes in front of my bedroom door,” they said.
With time, Sienna gained weight and her fur filled out into a soft, shiny coat with natural highlights. “She is beautiful on the inside and out,” the adopter shared, “and everyone just loves her.”
Sienna’s family is deeply grateful to Nine Lives. “You’re not only helping vulnerable cats — you’re also helping their new owners,” they said. “I’m so glad we went to Nine Lives that day. Sienna is an amazing addition to our family!”
Kitten Season has truly arrived, and with it, a tidal wave of tiny, vulnerable lives in desperate need of rescue.
Our team has been working tirelessly around the clock, responding to urgent pleas and scrambling to save the most fragile souls: bottle babies found in boxes, litters abandoned in alleyways, and kittens too weak to eat on their own.
We’ve rescued more than 230 kittens already — a 64% increase compared to this time last year. It’s a staggering leap and a testament to just how urgently our work is needed.
But as we pour our hearts into saving these precious kittens, I want to take a moment to focus on the often-overlooked kitties: our adult cats. They may not have the same urgency as the little ones, but their need for love and a forever home is just as real.
Take Sabrina, for example.
Sabrina is a two-year-old tortie with the tiniest chirps and the biggest heart. She came to Nine Lives from the Los Banos Animal Shelter in February and quickly captured the heart of every staff member and volunteer she met. But her journey hasn’t been easy.
When Sabrina arrived, she was underweight, dehydrated, and suffering from early-stage kidney disease. Our veterinary team acted swiftly, hydrating her with subcutaneous fluids, providing appetite stimulants, and running frequent lab work while carefully monitoring her progress. Along with a special diet, medication, and a lot of TLC, Sabrina fought her way back to health.
Today, Sabrina is stable and ready to find a family to call her own. She’s spayed, fully vaccinated, and on a manageable care plan that can easily be supported in a loving home. But she’s so much more than a patient — she’s a survivor, a snuggler, and a sweetheart who loves cozy beds, crunchy kibble, and being near her favorite people.
And yes, once upon a time, Sabrina was a kitten too.
As we celebrate the season of new beginnings, let’s not forget the ones who have been waiting. The ones who are often overlooked, but who still believe — quietly and patiently — that their forever home is out there.
If you or someone you know is looking for a loving companion, come meet Sabrina. She’ll make herself right at home in your heart! And if you’re able, please consider making a donation to help us rescue and care for more kitties like her. Your support makes stories like Sabrina’s possible.
