Honor old age. Winter has beautiful stories left to tell. ~Angie Weiland-Crosby
senior felines
Historically, senior cats are difficult to place directly into new homes should the need arise. Even rescue organizations, shelters, and sanctuaries may be unwilling to take on seniors for a number of reasons. Some cited factors reflect legitimate welfare- and resource-based concerns, but others demonstrate age bias. Sadly, senior cats are often considered to not have the same "value" as their junior counterparts.
We at Homer's Fund and Nine Lives Cat Center believe that all cats have value. Through the years, our numerous senior residents have thrived. Their medical issues are addressed, while their physical and emotional needs are recognized and prioritized by our wonderful team, led by Dr. Amy. Our senior cats are loved, nurtured, and celebrated!
Starting in 2021, Nine Lives Cat Center launched an initiative to take in eligible senior cats who had nowhere else to turn. Our Apricity program, named to signify hope for cats in the winter of their lives, offers a life-care option for a select number of cats, allowing them to enjoy the rest of their days here in our warm, loving sanctuary. See below for details.
We at Homer's Fund and Nine Lives Cat Center believe that all cats have value. Through the years, our numerous senior residents have thrived. Their medical issues are addressed, while their physical and emotional needs are recognized and prioritized by our wonderful team, led by Dr. Amy. Our senior cats are loved, nurtured, and celebrated!
Starting in 2021, Nine Lives Cat Center launched an initiative to take in eligible senior cats who had nowhere else to turn. Our Apricity program, named to signify hope for cats in the winter of their lives, offers a life-care option for a select number of cats, allowing them to enjoy the rest of their days here in our warm, loving sanctuary. See below for details.
life-care in a home setting
Josie and Floyd
Since 2003, we have cared for a great many abandoned/surrendered cats here at Nine Lives, prompting the establishment of our nonprofit organization, Homer's Fund. Throughout this time, more than 50 cats with special medical and/or behavioral needs have resided here permanently. Many of these cats were already older; but if not, they grew old here with us. We have been lucky enough to have two of our residents reach the age of 21 (Josie and Floyd, pictured), and currently all of our residents are over 10 years old. Check out all of our current resident profiles here!
Through the years, our clinic has become less and less "clinical" in appearance, as we have steadily modified our space, adding amenities for the comfort and entertainment of our always free-to-roam residents. We have couches, comfortable chairs, cat trees, and televisions. Every counter has at least one cat bed, usually occupied by at least one cat. Toys are everywhere. Food and water stations are everywhere. (We of course also have litter boxes everywhere, and while we keep those very clean, it's not something that we talk about as often, lol!) Nine Lives is not a vet clinic containing a shelter or a few onsite cats; it is truly a sanctuary, a home for our contented and beloved family of felines. We just happen to still provide some veterinary services here too :)
And speaking of veterinary services, all of our cats receive whatever medical care they need here at Nine Lives. Our sanctuary is therefore uniquely suited for senior cats, many of whom require medications, monitoring, etc. Unlike many other facilities, our veterinary care is in-house and personalized, with every detail attended to by Dr. Amy herself. Also, it may go without saying, but then again it is very important to say: when faced with difficult end-of-life decisions, we will always do what is right and best for our cats. We will never euthanize for any reason other than compromised quality of life. We will also always choose euthanasia over compromised quality of life. The happiness, comfort, and well-being of our cats is, and always will be, our first priority.
Through the years, our clinic has become less and less "clinical" in appearance, as we have steadily modified our space, adding amenities for the comfort and entertainment of our always free-to-roam residents. We have couches, comfortable chairs, cat trees, and televisions. Every counter has at least one cat bed, usually occupied by at least one cat. Toys are everywhere. Food and water stations are everywhere. (We of course also have litter boxes everywhere, and while we keep those very clean, it's not something that we talk about as often, lol!) Nine Lives is not a vet clinic containing a shelter or a few onsite cats; it is truly a sanctuary, a home for our contented and beloved family of felines. We just happen to still provide some veterinary services here too :)
And speaking of veterinary services, all of our cats receive whatever medical care they need here at Nine Lives. Our sanctuary is therefore uniquely suited for senior cats, many of whom require medications, monitoring, etc. Unlike many other facilities, our veterinary care is in-house and personalized, with every detail attended to by Dr. Amy herself. Also, it may go without saying, but then again it is very important to say: when faced with difficult end-of-life decisions, we will always do what is right and best for our cats. We will never euthanize for any reason other than compromised quality of life. We will also always choose euthanasia over compromised quality of life. The happiness, comfort, and well-being of our cats is, and always will be, our first priority.
the apricity sanctuary program
The goal of our program is to welcome senior cats in great need into our Apricity sanctuary. Examples of situations where this need may arise include owner death or incapacitation, property loss, personal hardship, inability to meet a chronically or terminally ill cat's medical needs, etc. We strongly encourage any/all alternative arrangements to be explored, but if no viable options are available, Apricity may be the answer.
As both our Nine Lives facility and our staff are small in size, we must limit our sanctuary membership in order to ensure that each senior cat will have full access to living space, resources, veterinary care, and personalized attention. Unlike most shelters and rescues, and some sanctuaries, our goal is not to rehome. Therefore, all new cats entering Nine Lives will remain as lifelong residents. For this reason also, we must restrict the number of cats entering our sanctuary.
In line with our limitations and our pledge to help those cats who have the most need, only cats who are 15+ years of age, or those who are 13+ years of age but affected by a significant medical condition, will be eligible to apply for entry into our Apricity sanctuary. All qualified entrants will be considered, but we cannot guarantee that all cats will be accepted. Applications for any cats who do not meet the listed criteria will only be considered under extraordinary circumstances.
A fixed, one-time monetary donation of $2,000 per cat will be required to accompany acceptance into our sanctuary. The amount is substantially less than what is required by similar cat sanctuaries (references available on request), even those which may secondarily rehome. Please keep in mind that the actual cost of caring for a senior cat for the remainder of his/her life may far exceed the donation amount. In all cases, donations are used to care for our sanctuary cats as a group, ensuring a high level of care for all. Please note that we will be unable to accept cats without an accompanying donation, as we simply do not have the resources or financial means to do so. Please see our application forms for further details, and please contact us with any questions or concerns.
Our greatest hope is that senior cats in our community will be able to remain forever in their current loving homes. However, should the need for rehoming arise, our Apricity sanctuary may be an alternative. Senior cats, in the winter of their lives, will be able to enjoy the rest of their days here, basking in sunshine (when available) and in love—always available!
As both our Nine Lives facility and our staff are small in size, we must limit our sanctuary membership in order to ensure that each senior cat will have full access to living space, resources, veterinary care, and personalized attention. Unlike most shelters and rescues, and some sanctuaries, our goal is not to rehome. Therefore, all new cats entering Nine Lives will remain as lifelong residents. For this reason also, we must restrict the number of cats entering our sanctuary.
In line with our limitations and our pledge to help those cats who have the most need, only cats who are 15+ years of age, or those who are 13+ years of age but affected by a significant medical condition, will be eligible to apply for entry into our Apricity sanctuary. All qualified entrants will be considered, but we cannot guarantee that all cats will be accepted. Applications for any cats who do not meet the listed criteria will only be considered under extraordinary circumstances.
A fixed, one-time monetary donation of $2,000 per cat will be required to accompany acceptance into our sanctuary. The amount is substantially less than what is required by similar cat sanctuaries (references available on request), even those which may secondarily rehome. Please keep in mind that the actual cost of caring for a senior cat for the remainder of his/her life may far exceed the donation amount. In all cases, donations are used to care for our sanctuary cats as a group, ensuring a high level of care for all. Please note that we will be unable to accept cats without an accompanying donation, as we simply do not have the resources or financial means to do so. Please see our application forms for further details, and please contact us with any questions or concerns.
Our greatest hope is that senior cats in our community will be able to remain forever in their current loving homes. However, should the need for rehoming arise, our Apricity sanctuary may be an alternative. Senior cats, in the winter of their lives, will be able to enjoy the rest of their days here, basking in sunshine (when available) and in love—always available!