Our Background

Founded in 2003 by Monica (Thompson) Rudiger, D.V.M., the Feline Well-Care Clinic started out as a veterinary hospital that occasionally rescued cats. As time went on, Dr. Rudiger had discovered that her passion was rescuing cats from Bay Area shelters who would otherwise be euthanized. In December of 2004, she established the no-kill Nine Lives Founda-tion which is a community-based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Since then, hundreds of cats have been rescued from shelters all around California and have been given a second chance at life and a happily ever after...

The Nine Lives Foundation's tax identification number (EIN) is: 20-2150714.

Our Mission Statement

Nine Lives Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit no-kill cat welfare organization that works with the local community, TNR (trap/neuter/return) and rescue groups to reduce the over-population of homeless cats in Northern California by providing low-cost spay/neuter services, vaccinations, health care and shelter for stray, feral, and at-risk cats. Nine Lives Foundation provides all necessary medical treatments for its shelter cats through an on-site veterinary clinic, and seeks loving, permanent homes for them, including those with physical, medical or behavioral disabilities.

A Truly No-Kill Shelter

We follow the criteria listed below in order to meet this classification:

Nine Lives never uses euthanasia on a cat or kitten, except for a humane reason such as pain and suffering or when a cat has severe medical problems with a poor prognosis. We will do everything possible to treat a cat regardless of expense.

Nine Lives will never transfer a cat to another shelter or facility that uses euthanasia on animals for any other reason than those mentioned above.

Nine Lives does not euthanize cats deemed anti-social or that have severe behavioral problems. It is our experience that cats labeled as anti-social or having a temperamental defect which we have rescued from other shelters exhibited no problems in our care. Many of these otherwise unadoptable cats have found new, loving homes through the Nine Lives Foundation.