February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month

By Liam Montgomery, Executive Director, Nine Lives Foundation

At Nine Lives Foundation, a 501(c)3 cat adoption center and low-cost cat clinic in Redwood City, we see thousands of homeless and at-risk cats and kittens come through our shelter each year. Last year, we saw more than ever before - thanks to a never-ending Kitten Season that lasted from early spring through year-end.

Historically a spring/summer event, Kitten Season has become overwhelming to area shelters due to changing weather patterns that are leading to continuous mating among cats. That’s why celebrating February as ‘Spay/Neuter Awareness Month’ is more important than ever.

The only way to prevent the senseless displacement and unnecessary death of kittens is by taking action - spaying and neutering cats. More than ever before, it's crucial to get your cats spayed and neutered. And now is the time - Kitten Season is arriving rapidly.

Nine Lives offers low-cost spay and neuter services, making this affordable for all families with cats. The optimal time for the surgery is before a kitten is five months old, but it’s never too late.
Please spay or neuter your cat(s) now - Kitten Season is upon us.

You can book an appointment online at Low-Cost Cat Spay and Neuter – Nine Lives Foundation. We also offer Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for community cats - find out more at Low-Cost Cat Spay and Neuter – Nine Lives Foundation.

Nine Lives also provides accessible and affordable healthcare. Our low-cost vaccine clinic, held most Wednesdays, is your gateway to low-cost veterinary care.

4,106 Spay/Neuters in 2023 - A 20% Increase
In 2023, Nine Lives performed 4,106 spay/neuter surgeries - a testament to the impact of our supporters who made this possible. This 20% increase in spay/neuter services reflects our dedication to responsible pet ownership. This vital service not only controls the feline population but also prevents unnecessary suffering and ensures healthier cat communities. We also worked with more than 100 rescue partners so that they too could get their cats spayed and neutered before finding forever homes.

400 Kittens Rescued and Homed in 2023 - A 40%+ Increase
Rescuing 40% more kittens than the previous year showcases our commitment to the tiniest and most vulnerable lives. Each kitten finding a home represents a triumph over the challenges they faced. Moreover, this statistic highlights how Kitten Season is getting longer and more relentless with each passing year.

690 Adoptions in 2023 - A 15% Increase
Each adoption represents a fresh start, a forever home, and a life saved. This 15% increase from 2022 underscores the growing impact of our collective efforts to find loving homes for our homeless cats and kittens.

A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Community
Nine Lives relies primarily on support from our community to fund our lifesaving work and subsidize our low-cost veterinary services and adoptions. We rely on responsible pet owners to be partners with us in spaying and neutering their pets. We rely on pet families to adopt our rescued cats and kittens waiting patiently for homes and families to love and care for them.

Our tremendous impact for the Bay Area community and our cat population is made possible with this support, and we are grateful for this continued ongoing partnership in 2024. Please spay/neuter your pets, protect them with our low-cost services, adopt your new family member, and if you are able consider a donation to Nine Lives Foundation, www.ninelivesfoundation.org.