FAQ

Yes. Ninth Life is built around resident cats, not a traditional adoption room. You can visit to relax, meet the residents, support the space, take photos, join a small event, or simply exist near cats with better boundaries than most people.

Hours will be posted before opening and may expand as the team grows. Early hours may be limited while we soft launch, train staff, and build the resident routine.

Ninth Life is located in Downtown Alliance, Ohio. The full address and parking notes will be added before opening.

Yes, with supervision. Children must be respectful, calm, and gentle around the cats. The Sanctuary is not a playroom. It is the cats' home. If a child is not able to follow the rules, we may ask the group to step out for the comfort of the residents.

Yes. Private Sanctuary sessions, small gatherings, and special bookings will be available as the space develops. Capacity will stay limited so the cats are comfortable and the experience feels intentional.

The Sanctuary is the protected resident cat room at Ninth Life. It is designed for comfort, rest, enrichment, and supervised visits. The cats live there on their terms. Human access is limited, intentional, and always secondary to the cats' wellbeing.

Not always. Sanctuary access may require a reservation, check-in, or staff approval. This helps us manage capacity, reduce stress, and keep the environment calm for the cats.

Visit lengths will be announced before opening. Early sessions may be limited while we learn the rhythm of the space and the residents.

No forced handling. Cats decide how close they want to be. Petting is allowed when a cat approaches and seems comfortable. Picking up, chasing, waking, or cornering cats is not allowed.

Then management is unavailable. Cats sleep a lot, and rest is part of their care. A quiet Sanctuary is still a successful Sanctuary.

Only with staff approval. Some cats may have specific diets or sensitivities, so all treats must come through Ninth Life.

We are starting carefully. The resident group will be introduced slowly based on health, temperament, comfort, and fit with the space. We would rather have fewer happy cats than too many stressed ones.

Ninth Life residents will be selected intentionally. Some may come from adoption partners, rehoming situations, breeders, or other appropriate sources depending on the resident strategy. Every cat must be healthy, social, and suited for the environment.

Ninth Life is primarily built around resident cats. Some cats may eventually become available through a partner or special circumstance, but adoption is not the default promise of the space.

A resident cat is part of the Ninth Life household. Residents are selected for temperament, comfort with people, social ability, health, and overall fit. They are not props, mascots, or content machines. They are the management.

Resident cats must be up-to-date on appropriate veterinary care before joining the space. Health records, spay/neuter status, vaccination requirements, and preventative care will be managed as part of our resident protocol.

No. Outside cats are not allowed. This protects the health, safety, and stress levels of the resident cats.

Ninth Life is starting as a light cafe/lounge, not a full restaurant. Expect simple drinks, possible pastries, community-supported goods, and a relaxed place to sit. The menu may grow over time.

Policies may vary by event, hours, and capacity. During soft launch, some offerings may be donation-based or supporter-based while we refine operations.

The first menu will likely be simple: coffee, matcha, lemonade, chai, water, and pastries or snacks from local partners where possible. The goal is quality, simplicity, and not overwhelming the operation.

Yes, when space allows. Ninth Life is designed to be calm, creative, and useful: part lounge, part neighborhood third place, part cat-run office with questionable management.

Yes. Expect small-format programming over time: movie nights, board games, creative sessions, founder chats, community conversations, private visits, and partner events.

Kitty Cam is Ninth Life's livestream/window into the resident cats' world. It lets supporters follow the cats remotely, check in on the space, and stay connected even if they are not in Alliance.

Not at first. The livestream will launch when the Sanctuary is ready, the cats are comfortable, and the setup is safe. Cat comfort comes before content.

Yes. Remote supporters will be able to follow updates, sponsor residents, back the Sanctuary, and support the project from anywhere.

Kitty Cam will be designed around comfort, privacy, and safety. Rest areas and off-camera zones may be used so the cats can disappear when they want. Celebrity requires boundaries.

The White Wall is a simple creative/photo area inside Ninth Life for portraits, content, product shots, small shoots, and community creative use.

Yes. White Wall booking options will be added as the space is prepared. Sessions may be available for individuals, creators, brands, local businesses, and small groups.

Not automatically. Cats are not props and will not be forced into shoots. If a resident chooses to appear, that is between you and management.

Yes. Ninth Life is designed to support local creativity, small business content, and modern storytelling. Partnership and booking options will be available.

Yes. Support helps prepare the space, care for the cats, improve the Sanctuary, fund supplies, and keep the project moving. Contributions are not currently tax-deductible unless specifically stated.

Support may help cover cat furniture, litter systems, food, veterinary care, grooming tools, enrichment, livestream equipment, cafe setup, cleaning supplies, signage, and early operating costs.

Yes. Resident sponsorships will be available once the founding cats are announced. Sponsors may receive recognition, updates, and other benefits depending on the tier.

Yes. We are open to aligned local and national sponsors, especially around pets, food, beverage, wellness, design, media, photography, and community development.

Possibly. We may accept specific approved items once the care list is finalized. Please do not drop off random supplies without checking first.

Ninth Life is a mission-driven project, but it should not be assumed to be a nonprofit or tax-deductible charity unless we specifically state that. We will be clear about the structure as it develops.

Accessibility details will be confirmed before opening. We want the space to be as welcoming and usable as possible, and we will share clear information about entrances, restrooms, seating, and any limitations.

Because Ninth Life includes resident cats in a protected environment, outside animals may not be allowed in cat areas. We will provide a clear policy before opening that balances accessibility, safety, and the wellbeing of the cats.

Ninth Life contains cats. We will clean regularly and manage airflow as best we can, but people with allergies should plan accordingly.

Payment options will be announced before opening. We may prioritize card, tap-to-pay, and digital payments for simplicity.

Be gentle. Move slowly. Use indoor voices. Do not chase, grab, wake, feed, corner, or pick up cats. Let the cats approach first. Respect staff direction. The cats are in charge, unfortunately.

We may ask them to leave the Sanctuary or the space. The cats' safety and comfort come first.

Possibly. Volunteer needs will be limited at first and may grow over time. We will post specific roles when we know what help is actually useful.

Early roles may include cafe/lounge support, cat care support, cleaning, events, content, and community operations. Hiring updates will be posted when available.

Yes. We are interested in local bakeries, coffee partners, artists, photographers, pet brands, sponsors, event collaborators, and downtown businesses.

Yes. Ninth Life is part of a larger local renaissance effort, and we welcome thoughtful ideas, partnerships, and useful introductions.

For partnerships, support, bookings, or general questions, contact us here.

Contact Ninth Life →