February 18, 2025

Rescued cat overcomes devastating injuries at UF Small Animal Hospital 

Nine Iron, held by Dr. John Hanlon, with members of his care team at UF’s Small Animal Hospital. Photo courtesy of Dr. Rachel Williams.

By Sarah Carey

GAINESVILLE, Florida — A cat named Nine Iron has gone from being a near-hopeless medical case to a remarkable recovery story, thanks to veterinary intervention at the University of Florida’s Small Animal Hospital.

Discovered by a South Carolina volunteer with PitStop Pit Bull Rescue Transport, Nine Iron was found with severe injuries to his front legs and the end of his tail — a condition that veterinarians believe resulted from old autoimmune issues and likely prior trauma. The volunteer’s veterinarian recommended euthanasia, seeing little hope for the street cat’s survival.

The nonprofit group transports about 30 to 60 animals each week from shelters to rescues in North Florida and South Georgia and provides community services to low-income pet owners to allow them to keep their animals. The group also will take in rescue animals needing special care from shelters and from transport volunteers.

Knowing this, the volunteer asked PitStop’s leaders for help.

“While we didn’t have the resources either, and suspected other veterinarians would recommend euthanasia, we knew this volunteer was suffering from compassion fatigue and committed to taking (the cat) and doing what was best for him,” said Sara Mobley, the group’s transport coordinator. “Little did we know it would be this long of a journey. But, had we known, we wouldn’t have done anything differently.”

A veterinarian amputated one of the black cat’s wounded legs and the plan was to let Nine Iron’s other wounds heal on their own. When complications arose, the 4- to 5-year-old cat was referred to UF, where surgeons agreed to take the case.

Rachel Williams, D.V.M., a clinical assistant professor of small animal surgery; John Hanlon, D.V.M., a small animal surgery resident; and Kathleen Ham, D.V.M., an associate professor of small animal surgery, undertook an intensive seven-month treatment regimen to help Nine Iron. Their approach included complex wound management, skin grafts, vacuum-assisted wound closure, and even a custom 3D-printed wheelchair to help him move.

“Nine Iron’s care was really a team effort, and we were pretty worried he was going to end up as a double amputee for a while, due to his recurrent infection and the time it took for him to heal,” Williams said. “Just in time for Christmas, however, he was healed and able to return to a normal life.”

Nine Iron’s distinctive name stems from his early care. When he was first treated, veterinarians wrapped both of his front legs in heavy, thickly padded dressings. As he walked, he would swing his legs out and around to the side, moving in a motion that resembled a golfer swinging a 9-iron club. The playful name stuck, capturing both his resilience and unique gait.

For now, Nine Iron is in Jacksonville as a foster with Mobley, who specializes in caring for animals with extensive medical needs. PitStop and Mobley, who already has four dogs and two other cats, saw his case as another opportunity to save an “unadoptable” animal.

Throughout his treatment, which required Nine Iron to visit the hospital two to three times a week, the street cat became something of a hospital celebrity. Staff members decorated his bandages with themes like butterflies, flowers and even Halloween-inspired bats and ghosts, transforming medical care into a spirit-lifting experience.

“It was heartwarming to see how much love went into every detail of his care,” Mobley said, adding that her family is finally getting to know him and seeing what he likes and needs outside of just medical care.

“It’s nice to see the playful side of him in addition to the loving side,” she said. “Now that he’s healed, he plays like a kitten, flying all over the place.”

Williams added: “Nine Iron’s care here really highlights not only the amazing work ethic at UF, but also the ingenuity that we seek to promote, along with the innovation we try to maintain all day, every day, to provide better patient outcomes.”