Tenth Life's History

One cat, no money, but a whole lot of passion.

Tenth Life Cat Rescue was founded on January 2, 2009, in order to address a lack of resources dedicated to stray cats and kittens in the St. Louis area. While several organizations focused on saving area felines, none possessed the specific mission of prioritizing cats with injuries and special needs about which founder, Elizabeth Frick, was deeply passionate.

Starting with just a single foster home, no funding, and Ms. Frick's friends and family, Tenth Life has blossomed into an organization with approximately 80 foster homes in the St. Louis area and 150+ cats in its care at any given time. It has grown through word-of-mouth, a strong presence on social media, and the dedication of the volunteers and supporters who champion its mission. 

Our Founder, Elizabeth Frick-Verdine

Ms. Frick-Verdine established Tenth Life on January 2, 2009, driven by a desire to address the lack of resources available for stray cats and kittens in St. Louis, especially those with special needs, injuries, and medical conditions. Before this, Elizabeth spent ten years in Chicago, IL, where she earned an undergraduate degree in sociology and a master’s degree in elementary education. She initially worked as a 5th-grade teacher but devoted much of her free time to volunteering and later working for Tree House Humane Society, which inspired Tenth Life’s mission. From 2009 to 2016, Elizabeth served as the Executive Director of Tenth Life, leading efforts that significantly transformed the lives of hundreds of special needs cats in St. Louis and beyond.

Elizabeth currently resides in New England with her family.