First off, dont buy a 9mm unless all you plan on doing is competition target shooting...they are worthless IMO. I personally would rather get shot with a 9mm at 25 yards than with a good .22 with a CCI stinger in it.

Second, alot of states have minimum barrel lengths for pistols for hunting purpuses, so be sure to check out local laws and make sure(in WI minimum is 6" so almost no 'Glock' style will work)

Third, you are talking protection an awful lot...people, bear, cats.... GO WITH A MAGNUM. For stopping power on any predator, a magnum is the ONLY way to go!

My only recomendations would be a .357 mag, or a .44 mag, WHICHEVER YOU CAN FIND THAT FITS YOU BEST, and the longer barell the better, to reduce kick, and improve accurracy. Lots of ammo choices, cheap and expensive, for smaller sized game, and for big game.