Press Releases

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 20, 2007--Today marks the 500,000 adoptions milestone of Morris' Million Cat Rescue(TM) campaign, a national initiative dedicated to saving one million homeless cats. Morris(R) the Cat -- who lives in the Los Angeles area with his trainer -- and the 9Lives(R) brand team have a paw-packed schedule of events befitting the A-list celebrity cat. Morris the Cat, star of the silver screen and former recipient of US Magazine's "Animal Star of the Year" award among other numerous accomplishments, plans to celebrate this major achievement in style. Morris the Cat will hit the Hollywood circuit in a stretch limousine making public appearances with his many adoring fans along the way. Additionally, Morris the Cat will wine and dine with some of Hollywood's hottest celebrities including Audrina Patridge, star of MTV's "The Hills," and Rex Lee of HBO's "Entourage."

Los Angeles-area animal lovers can come out to meet the world's most famous feline in person and see his state-of-the-art Morris' Million Cat Rescue(TM) mobile adoption bus today at the Third Street Santa Monica Promenade, located between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Street, between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. PDT. Patridge is taking time off from taping "The Hills" to officially adopt the 500,000th cat. In addition, Morris(R) the Cat and 9Lives(R) brand have partnered with "Felines and Friends" of Culver City to promote local cat adoption and to educate consumers on proper cat care. Morris(R) the Cat and 9Lives(R) brand will also make a donation of $10,000 in Patridge's name to the shelter to help them continue in their mission of finding loving homes for homeless cats.

"9Lives is excited to celebrate this important milestone in Los Angeles, almost a year-to-the-date since the kick-off of Morris' Million Cat Rescue last September with another well-known celebrity, Randy Jackson. Morris the Cat has spent a large part of his career working in Hollywood, and currently resides in Los Angeles; the city has genuine importance to him and now he wants to give back," said Ryan Thomas, 9Lives Brand Manager. "And we are not finished yet. Morris the Cat and the 9Lives brand are committed to fulfilling our promise of finding loving homes for one million cats, as well as continuing to educate people about the importance of cat adoption."

According to Thomas, the Morris' Million Cat Rescue(TM) tour will be making additional stops this year in San Francisco (9/27), Sacramento (10/03), Portland (10/11), Seattle (10/18), and Denver (10/27) before going on winter hiatus. For more information about Morris' Million Cat Rescue(TM) Campaign, bus or van stops, visit www.9Lives.com.

500,000th Cat Adoption With Audrina Patridge of MTV's "The Hills" at the Santa Monica Promenade

A true cat-of-the-people, Morris(R) the Cat felt it was imperative to give his adoring fans an opportunity to be a part of the 500,000th adoption festivities. Morris' Million Cat Rescue(TM) mobile adoption bus will visit Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona Street from 12:00 p.m. - 5 p.m. PDT to mark the momentous occasion and to promote pet adoption. The 500,000th cat will be officially adopted by Audrina Patridge of MTV's "The Hills," who will also participate in an exclusive check-donation ceremony. A grand total of $10,000 will be donated in her name to a local area shelter, Feline and Friends, to help them continue in their mission of finding loving homes for homeless cats.

Morris(R) the Cat and Rex Lee "Do Coffee"

While in Los Angeles, Morris the Cat also has a bit of personal business to attend to. Rumor has it that he is meeting privately with Rex Lee, a.k.a. Hollywood's top agent assistant "Lloyd" on HBO's "Entourage" at the Newsroom Cafe, 120 N. Robertson Boulevard, at 10:30 a.m. PDT to discuss upcoming film and television opportunities. Morris the Cat's spokesperson had no comment.

Morris the Cat's career was launched in 1968, when he was rescued by Bob Martwick, a devoted animal trainer and kennel owner. Bob pitched Morris the Cat as a spokescat to the 9Lives(R) brand and he was soon the focus of the entire nation as the star of its television commercials.

The Importance of the 9Lives Morris' Million Cat Rescue Initiatives

A shocking 3 out of every 4 cats that enter shelters do not leave alive. The reality is that 5.5 million cats are euthanized each year, representing 71% of all cats that enter animal shelters. Many don't know that there are tremendous advantages for the entire family in owning a pet -- for adults, pet ownership can decrease the risk of having a heart attack by up to 6%. Pet ownership can teach children about responsibility, compassion and loyalty -- in addition, positive self-esteem is enhanced in children with pets. And pet ownership has been shown anecdotally to help children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to focus and concentrate.

About Morris(R) the Cat

In 1968, a street-wise orange tabby from a Hinsdale, Illinois shelter was languishing for a loving home after being abandoned by his owner when the shelter staff noticed something special about the cat - a certain "star quality." They quickly contacted Bob Martwick, a professional animal handler who quickly adopted him on the spot, and -- 20 minutes from death -- Morris(R) the Cat got a second chance. Recognizing his charisma, 9Lives(R) cat food quickly signed him up, and the entire nation took notice of this new star of their television commercials. From then on, Morris was to become the most recognizable cat in the world. He was ubiquitous. He graced the covers of national magazines, he was a darling of the national talk show circuit and even was cast in the major motion picture "Shamus," with Burt Reynolds. Morris' fame continued to grow over the years, and his accomplishments even include runs for the presidency in both 1988 and 1992 on the Finicky Party platform. Despite all of his accomplishments, it is important to mention that Morris the Cat never forgot where he came from.

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