2027 Nine Lives Calendar Fundraiser

Make your cat a star. The Nine Lives 2027 Calendar Fundraiser is here! Entries and voting are open from July 1 to July 31.

Every cat deserves a moment in the limelight. Make YOUR cat famous by featuring them in our 2027 calendar! The Nine Lives calendar is packed with pictures of fabulous felines and is enjoyed by hundreds of cat lovers every year. Even better, every dollar raised helps Nine Lives save even more at-risk cats and kittens.

If you love taking photos of your cats and want to help us save lives, this event is for you!

Last year, we raised an incredible $30,000 to help cats in need and support our life-saving mission. Let's beat that goal in our 12th Annual Calendar Fundraiser, which runs July 1 to July 31.

Here's how to participate:

Submit your best cat or kitten photo to get your kitty featured in the 2027 Nine Lives Calendar and for a chance to win the honor of “Cover Cat,” “Cat of the Month,” or another featured section. Your entry gives your cat their first vote!
Each photo entry is a $35 donation and includes a complimentary copy of the 2027 calendar.
Every photo submitted will be included somewhere in the calendar — all cats are welcome!
Vote for your favorite photos and ask your friends and family to do the same. This is a fundraiser, so every $1 vote is a $1 donation to Nine Lives.
Enter and vote as often as you like!

The competition heats up as the top contenders vie for the honor of “Cover Cat.” Ask your friends, family, and co-workers to join in the fun and vote for their favorite photos. Keep checking this website daily and watch us get closer to our fundraising goal with every vote!

How to get your calendars:

Your complimentary calendar will be available this Fall. You can choose whether you want to pick it up or have it shipped to you for a $5 fee.
You can also pre-order extra calendars for $20 each (including sales tax). They make wonderful and unique holiday gifts and are a great way to show off your amazing felines to friends and family.
To order additional calendars, go to “Order Your Calendar” on this page or select Participate/Calendar Order.

Have questions? Contact us at calendar@ninelivesfoundation.org.

Good luck and have fun with this year's contest! Every dollar we raise truly makes a difference for at-risk cats and kittens. Thank you for supporting Nine Lives!

Adopt. Donate. Save Lives.

Here are just a few of last year's calendar stars...

cover

FAQs

How much is the entry fee?

The entry fee is $35 per photo, and you will receive one free vote with your entry. You can add additional votes towards your pet during the entry process.

How many photos can I enter?

You can enter as many cat photos in the contest as you like! Each entry has a $35 entry fee.

How do I enter my cat’s photo?

To submit a photo, click on the Participate tab above and follow the directions to upload a photograph of your pet. Entries can only be made online and must be received by July 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm PT.

How do I vote for a photo?

Vote by clicking on the Participate tab above. Each vote is $1 and is a tax-deductible donation to Nine Lives Foundation. Vote as often as you like through July 31, 2026, at 11:59 pm PT.

Does my cat need to have been adopted from Nine Lives to enter?

No, all cats are welcome!

How do I take a good photo?

You don't need fancy equipment to take amazing photos — your phone is perfect! Here are some tips to help you take amazing, calendar-worthy shots.

Shoot horizontally. To be considered for the cover or month spread, hold your phone sideways (landscape) and shoot horizontally. Also, make sure your phone camera is set to the highest quality possible in its settings.
Snap, Snap, Snap! Pets move fast! Use your phone's "burst mode" or "live photos" (just hold down the shutter button) to take several photos quickly. Then, pick your favorite one.
Find good lighting. Natural light is ideal. For indoor shots, position your cat near a window during the day. If outdoors, find a shaded spot to avoid shadows. For the best results, avoid using flash whenever possible.
Consider your background. A busy background can distract from your adorable pet. Try to find an uncluttered space to keep your precious kitty the star of the show.
Get to their level. Kneel or sit down so you're at your cat's eye level. This creates a more engaging and personal photo than shooting from above.
Get in focus. Before you shoot, tap on your phone screen directly on your cat's eyes. This tells your phone where to focus, so your kitty will be in crystal clear view.
Get their attention. Consider enlisting some help! Ask someone to dangle a toy just out of view of the camera, so your kitty is looking right at the lens.
Patience is Key. Don't expect to get the perfect shot instantly. Be patient and wait for your pet to settle into a cute pose — those are often the most natural and charming photos.

What if I have other questions?

Call us at (650) 368-1365 or email calendar@ninelivesfoundation.org.

Prizes

Winners, chosen by popular vote, are awarded the honor of calendar cover, monthly calendar pages, inside front and back covers, and back cover.

All photos entered between July 1st and July 31st will be included in the calendar.

Rules

Entry & Campaign Dates: 8:00 AM (Pacific Time) on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 to midnight (11:59:59 PM Pacific Time) on Friday, July 31, 2026
No photo entries or voting permitted after midnight (11:59:59 PM Pacific Time) on Friday, July 31, 2026
Entry & Donation Fees are $35 per photo, which includes one complimentary copy of the 2027 calendar. Additional calendars may be purchased for $20. To purchase additional calendars, go to Order Your Calendar on the main page or select Participate/Calendar Order. (For additional calendars purchased here, the price of this item includes sales tax calculated to the nearest cent.)
There is no limit to the number of photos that may be submitted.
All contest entry fees & votes are tax deductible (EIN # 20-2150714).
$1 donation for each vote. There is no limit to the number of votes or frequency of voting.
Winners will be chosen by popular vote. The top 15 entries will be awarded as monthly calendar pages, inside cover and back page. The overall winner will be selected for the calendar cover.
ALL PHOTOS SUBMITTED WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE CALENDAR in a date block or collage page, even if not chosen as one of the top 15 photos.
By submitting your photo, you agree to allow Nine Lives Foundation to use your image in the 2027 calendar and in any promotional materials, on all Nine Lives Foundation platforms (website, social media, emails), and in any other print format which may be connected to the 2027 Photo Calendar or future Nine Lives Foundation promotions.

Photo Guidelines

Photos must be high quality, high resolution in a generally accepted file format (JPEG or PNG). Since most pictures will appear on date squares, please choose photos that can be cropped to fit a square shape (if your photo is very wide, or tall & thin, part of your cat's image may get cut off to make it fit). Horizontal photos are usually best.
For optimal print quality, photos should be at least 2 MB (megabytes) and at least 2000 pixels on the shortest side (e.g., 2000 x 3000 pixels or larger).
No dogs or other animal photos are permitted unless included WITH the cat in the photo.
Please, no political statements in your pictures.
ANY PHOTOS THAT DO NOT MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE REJECTED.

Raised $0

Goal $36,000

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Nine Lives Foundation
3137 Jefferson Ave
Redwood City, CA 94062
ninelivesfoundation.org