OUR CREDENTIAL

It’s all about the cat and what is right for them. The animal’s welfare trumps all other considerations. We are thorough in our health and wellness checks and do not rush to rehome a cat before the time is right. We will never put a healthy cat to sleep.

We hope that many people can join us on this journey with us as volunteers, donors and supporters doing what they can to alleviate any distress for the animals that bring us so much joy.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JULES DOS SANTOS: CHAIR

Jules has a wealth of experience in cat care. She is a Qualified Veterinary Nurse with a Level 4 Diploma in Cat Psychology . The former manager of a large emergency hospital, Jules founded the Divine Creatures luxury cat hotel 12 years ago and founded her second hotel Luxury Cat Lodge on the Central Coast a few years ago. Jules has loved and cared for over 4000 cats. She is also a registered Cat Whisperer helping owners rehabilitate their feline relationships. Jules has already rehomed some 300 cats and has rescued and rehabilitated hundreds more.

JOHN HOLLAND: SECRETARY

John comes with a wealth of feline experience and life long Cat Daddy along with his wife Kate. John is a former Board Director and President of the Cat Protection Society of NSW and a former advisor to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home. He runs his own business consultancy and, as a graduate member of the Institute of Company Directors, brings an enormous amount of business and operational know how to the table.

DR YVONNE VAN DER VEEK: DIRECTOR

Yvonne has been an Emergency Veterinarian for 15 years, currently a part time Veterinarian for Small Animal Specialist Hospital. Yvonne will assist the charity making informed welfare decisions on the management of cats.

Both Jules and Yvonne work in Veterinary Emergency together, exposing them to many cats’ suffering from mistreatment and abandonment and so the idea of establishing Ninth Life Foundation to prevent this abandonment came together

KITTY FLANAGAN: AMBASSADOR

Author, Comedian, Actor and Performer, we think Kitty Flanagan is a bit of a Superstar; and not just because she is our ambassador!

She has a wonderful track record of helping worthy causes, both human and animal, and giving back to the community. She currently lives in Melbourne with her cat Sarge. She also has two dogs so as to, in her words, “avoid the moniker of crazy cat lady”.
We think she is rather smart!</p>

OUR VOLUNTEERS

VERITY: TREASURER

Verity lives on the northern beaches of Sydney with her partner, two kids and three cats. verity works in the finance centre of Sydney and volunteers as our treasurer for the ninth Life Foundation and volunteers with One Meal Northern Beaches.
Verity rehomed one of her beautiful rescue cats, Joey, at age 15 after his dad died. After Verity’s much loved Balinese cat, Taylor, went to Rainbow Bridge in late 2022, Verity introduced two Tonkinese kittens to her household, Poppy and Misty. Joey is a gem with the new kittens, letting them eat his food and play with his tail (to a point). Verity swears the naughty Poppy is a reincarnation of her Taylor.

ABBY: VOLUNTEER

Abby is one our fabulous volunteers. Abby has been volunteering for about one year and Abby hopes to pursue a career in animal welfare. Abby is currently studying at the University of Sydney to allow her to work with a variety of animals. Abby loves interacting with all the cats at Ninth Life and finds it extremely rewarding to see them happy and content throughout their stays.
Abby is holding our lovely Marmalade.

CAITLIN: VOLUNTEER

Caitlin is one of our wonderful volunteers and has been volunteering at Ninth Life for over a year and a half. Caitlin started volunteering because she loves cats and really wanted to help out in any way possible.
Caitlin finds it very rewarding to be able to see the Ninth Life Cats become more confident and eventually find their new home.
Caitlin is looking after our friendly boy Buddy.

ROSE: MANAGER

Rose has always been fascinated with felines and has such a love and care for cats of all sizes. During her time working with Ninth Life, she has witnessed some incredible bonds form between our cats (most of which have come from a horrible prior circumstance) and their new furever family.

Rose loves to try and help shy and aggressive cats learn to trust again and have a chance at their Ninth Life. These beautiful rewarding moments where a cat acknowledges they are safe in our care, make the heartbreak of rescue worth every moment.

ROGER: BACK OFFICE BOY

Roger has a background in logistics, systems, IT and project management. Roger retired back in April 2022 and contacted Jules to see if he could help and the answer was YES.
Roger has two very spoilt ragdoll cats. Flufflepuff, is mainly white with a busy brown tail. She’s a very demanding young lady who has no qualms in waking him up at 3am for pats.

Zaphod, is a more traditional looking ragdoll and likes to follow Roger around during the day, until he’s too exhausted and its nap time. Zaphod loves sleeping in cupboards and draws.

JEN: ADMIN AND FOSTER MUM

Jen has always had a passion for animals, especially cats. Jen had cats growing up and when the opportunity arose to take in a 6-month-old rescue in 2004 she fell instantly in love with her Mr Monte, a senior now of 18 years!
“I love helping out with Ninth Life Foundation and being part of Jules’ passion to help surrendered seniors to find their forever loving homes. I love sitting in the jungle gym with them and seeing their lovely playful personalities come out.”

John Holland: Secretary.

John is a former Board Director and President of the Cat Protection Society of NSW and a former advisor to the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home. He runs his own business consultancy and, as a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, brings an enormous amount of business and operational know how to the table.

Dr Yvonne Van Der Veek: Board Director.

Yvonne has been an Emergency Veterinarian for 15 years, currently a part time Veterinarian for Small Animal Specialist Hospital. Yvonne will assist the charity making informed welfare decisions on the management of cats.

Both Jules and Yvonne work in the pet care industry exposed them to many cats’ suffering from mistreatment and abandonment, so the idea of establishing Ninth Life Foundation to prevent this suffering was a no brainer.

Contact Information

Phone

0413 888 733

Email

info@ninthlifefoundation.org