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9 Lives Adoption Policies
Adoption Fees
What Adoption Fees Cover
What you get with your Cat
9 Lives Adoption Policies
9 Lives is committed to giving our rescued cats the best lives possible. To adopt a cat, you must submit an application, and include references. Our application processor will evaluate your information and call your references.
Adopt Kittens in Pairs Whenever Possible
We are especially particular about our kittens, and want to give them the best opportunity to lead happy lives. We believe socialization with other cats is always important for cats, and critical until at least four months of age. We give priority to homes that can provide a socially appropriate situation for the cat(s)/kitten(s) they wish to adopt. This is determined separately for each individual, but we use the following guidelines:
- Kittens who were raised without their mother may be adopted as early as 8 weeks if they are adopted along with another kitten they were raised with, or are going to a home with an age-appropriate kitten. We give priority to adopters with experience of kittens that young.
- Kittens who are still with their mother should remain with their mother until at least 10 weeks of age, as they are still benefitting from that relationship. Adoption at that age must be with another kitten they were raised with, or to a home that already has an age-appropriate kitten.
- Kittens should almost never go to a home by themselves, especially if the adopter is away most of the day. Such social isolation can be very lonely for a kitten, and might even lead to behavioral issues. We do not adopt kittens solo until they are at least 12 weeks of age, and prefer to wait until 4 months of age.
Discrimination
We do not discriminate based ethnicity or religion or politics or sexual orientation – but we do discriminate based on other criteria such as a history of abuse of humans or animals, illegal substance abuse, or inability to provide a safe and loving home for a cat.
Adoption Fees
| Adoption Category | Adoption Fee |
| Kittens (under 1 year) | $150–$250 |
| Pair of kittens | $25 discount |
| Adult cat 1–7 years | $100–$200 |
| Adult cat 8+ years | $75–$125 |
| Specialty breeds | $200–$450 |
| Special needs | Custom |
What Adoption Fees Cover
On average, a rescue loses money with every cat they take in. In a perfect world, adoption fees would cover the cost of preparing the cats for adoption. If the care needed was routine, it might. However, because most of the cats that we bring in are in some physical distress, these cats’ care is rarely routine. Additional treatments, amputations or dentals are common, and can wipe out dozens of adoption fees.
If you’d like to contribute to help us cover costs not covered by our adoption fees, we’d be grateful. Any level of support can make a real difference in the life of a cat. Here are some suggestions and what each amount would cover:
➔ $30: Test for Giardia, a common parasite that can be life-threatening
➔ $65: Physical exam to explore a health issue
➔ $155: Emergency room exam when a cat needs it most
➔ $400–800: Dental surgery to relieve a cat’s painful mouth
➔ $300–3,000: Emergency visit to save a cat’s life
What you get with your cat or kitten
All cats and kittens from 9 Lives Rescue will have been vet-checked, neutered or spayed, treated for parasites, up to date on vaccinations appropriate to age, tested for FeLV (Feline Leukemia) and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), and microchipped.