GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A street cat once deemed beyond saving has made an extraordinary recovery, thanks to months of advanced veterinary care at the University of Florida’s Small Animal Hospital.
The black cat, named Nine Iron, was found in South Carolina by a volunteer with PitStop Pit Bull Rescue Transport. He had severe injuries to both front legs and his tail, likely caused by past trauma and autoimmune issues. A local vet advised euthanasia, believing survival was unlikely.
But the volunteer reached out to PitStop, a nonprofit that moves animals from overcrowded shelters to rescues in North Florida and South Georgia. The organization also supports low-income pet owners and accepts special needs cases like Nine Iron’s.
“Even though we didn’t have the resources, we knew the volunteer was emotionally exhausted. We chose to help anyway,” said Sara Mobley, PitStop’s transport coordinator. “We had no idea how long the journey would be, but we wouldn’t have done anything differently.”
One of Nine Iron’s front legs was amputated, and it was hoped that the remaining wounds would heal naturally. When complications developed, the 4-to-5-year-old cat was referred to UF for advanced care.
Veterinary surgeons Rachel Williams, D.V.M., John Hanlon, D.V.M., and Kathleen Ham, D.V.M., led the case. Over seven months, they provided intensive wound treatment, skin grafts, vacuum-assisted healing, and even created a 3D-printed wheelchair to help Nine Iron move.
“At one point, we feared he’d lose both front legs,” said Williams. “But just before Christmas, he had healed and was ready to return to a normal life.”
The name “Nine Iron” came from the way he walked with his early leg dressings—swinging his legs like a golfer with a 9-iron club. The name stuck and became a symbol of his resilience.
Now, Nine Iron lives with Mobley in Jacksonville as a foster. She cares for animals with serious medical needs and already shares her home with four dogs and two cats. “He was considered unadoptable, but we saw his case as a chance to save a life,” Mobley said.
Throughout his treatment, Nine Iron became a favorite at the hospital. Staff decorated his bandages with butterflies, flowers, and Halloween themes, turning his visits into cheerful events.
“It was touching to see the effort put into every part of his care,” Mobley said. “Now that he’s healed, we’re finally seeing his personality. He plays like a kitten and runs all over.”
Williams added, “His case shows the dedication and innovation we strive for at UF. It’s a great example of how far we’ll go to improve patient outcomes.”
Thanks to compassion and advanced care, Nine Iron has gone from a cat with little hope to a lively, playful survivor.
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