Frequently Asked
Questions
Do you have dogs?
No. TAILS does not handle puppy or dog adoptions.
What is your adoption process?
Thank you for choosing to adopt!
We invite everyone to apply to adopt. Our application is the first step and must be done online. We do not have physical copies. Apply here.
Once your application has been received, our adoption team will review your application and contact you if we have any questions or need additional information. Please fill out all fields to the best of your knowledge.
We kindly ask that you give our adoption team time to review your application, as we are all volunteers working to save as many cats as possible!
If your application is approved, congratulations! We will contact you to join us at our next available adoption event, or schedule time for a meet-and-greet with one of our cats. Once you're approved, you're ready to take a cat home!
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**We can only adopt to Connecticut residents, who are 21 years of age or older.**
When is your next adoption event?
Our adoption events are held monthly or bi-monthly at Petco in Fairfield, Connecticut. They typically occur on Sundays from 10AM to 3PM.
Check out our website, calendar, and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on our latest events!
Only approved adopters are able to take cats home at our adoption events. If you haven't submitted an application yet, apply here.
Where can I see your cats?
Most of our adoptable cats are in foster homes around Fairfield County. TAILS does not have a brick-and-mortor location, so we rely primarily on our foster homes to care for our cats before they are adopted.
You can find some of our cats inside Petco at our Westport (Post Road East) and Norwalk (Main Ave) locations. If you’re lucky, you might get to see one of our cats stretching their legs and playing outside their cubbies while one of our volunteers are there!
To view all of our adoptable cats, head to our PetFinder page. Check out their photos and read the blurb on each of their pages to learn more about them!
How old are your cats?
We always have a range of cats available for adoption, from adults to kittens!
We do not adopt out kittens before 12 weeks of age. Kittens must be adopted in pairs unless there is another cat in the home.
I just submitted an application! Is there anything else you need from me?
Thank you for applying to adopt! We will contact you if we have any follow-up questions.
It is helpful to notify your vet, references, and landlord (if applicable) that we will be calling. If we are not authorized to speak to your vet or have trouble reaching your references, we will not be able to process your application as quickly as we would like.
If you are looking to adopt a kitten, please know that kittens must be adopted in pairs, unless you currently have another cat at home.
What is the cost to adopt?
TAILS kittens are $250. Adult cats are $125.
Kittens must be adopted in pairs unless there is another cat in the home.
Where do your cats come from?
Our cats come from all over Fairfield County. A lot of our rescues are kittens who were rescued on the streets and young enough to be socialized into loving house cats. We also receive emails, texts, and calls from people who need help with their cats, or community cats they see outside.
Are your cats spayed and neutered?
Yes. All of our adoptable cats are at least 12 weeks of age, spayed and neutered, vaccinated against rabies and the first dose of the FVCRP vaccine, dewormed, microchipped, and tested for FIV and FeLV.
How soon can I bring a cat home?
As soon as your adoption application is approved and you've been contacted to meet one of our cats!
If you haven't already, fill out our online adoption application now!
I fell in love with a cat. How can I adopt him or her?
We love to hear that someone has formed a connection with one of our cats!
The first step is submitting our online adoption application. Apply here.
If your application is approved, we will be in touch regarding next steps.
Please note we cannot guarantee that any specific cat(s) will be available for adoption by the time your application is reviewed and approved.
We do not reserve our animals for anyone - please be mindful of the fact that there may be a qualified applicant who is further along in the adoption process when you submit your application.
We encourage everyone to submit an adoption application as soon as they are ready to adopt, as the reviewal process can take some time. Only approved adopters are able to take cats home at our adoption events. If you haven't submitted an application yet, apply here.
Even if a particular cat is adopted - don't worry, we're sure we can find another cat that you will fall in love with!​
I submitted an application and haven't heard back! What do I do?
Thank you for choosing to adopt!
Please be patient as we work on your application. When you submitted your application, you should have received an automatic confirmation email from us. (If you did not, please check your spam or junk folders.)
That means we have received your application and are actively working on reviewing it!
If you haven't heard from us within a few weeks, please feel free to contact us at info@tailsct.org or adoption@tailsct.org.
How do I become a foster for TAILS?
Thank you for your interest in fostering!
Please fill out our online fostering application here. Someone from our team will be in touch!
All you need to foster is a spare bedroom, bathroom, or miscellaneous room in your home and some space and love in your heart! Our cats don't need much, but they do need YOU!
All fosters are supplied with food, litter, toys and bedding, as needed.
Help! I have a feral cat colony in my neighborhood. What do I do?
Thank you for caring about the cats in your community!
Please reach out to us at info@tailsct.org or text (203) 222-1992.
Kindly let us know where you are located, how many cats and kittens you see, and if any appear sick, injured, or pregnant.
If you are willing to help us trap, great! We will walk you through the cat-trapping process.
Please note that if any of the cats appear to have an ear tip or slanted left ear, that is the universal sign of an altered community cat. This means that particular cat has already been to a vet before and has been spayed and neutered.
What happens to the cats you rescue?
Kittens rescued on the streets who are young enough to be socialized and adopted will be brought into our robust foster program. Once they reach 12 weeks of age and have been to the vet to be spayed, neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, they will be listed on PetFinder as an adoptable cat.
Adult cats rescued on the streets who are unfamiliar with humans will be spayed, neutered, and vaccinated. After a brief recovery period, they will return to their colonies and outdoor homes to continue to be cared for by their caretakers.
I just got a cat and need help getting them fixed. Can you help?
Yes. TAILS offers low-cost spay-and-neuter assistance for those in need. Please fill out our spay-neuter assistance form here.
Please note we are only able to assist in the following CT towns: Bridgeport, Fairfield, New Canaan, Norwalk, Shelton, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.
How can I make a donation?
Thank you for wanting to donate!
We accept donations through the main donation portal on our website, PayPal, Venmo, and Facebook fundraisers. You can choose to make a one-time or reoccurring donation. Donate here!
As a volunteer-run organization, every dollar goes directly to our animals.
Your support is appreciated!
What are your volunteer opportunities?
There are several ways you can get involved with TAILS:
Become a cat caretaker at Petco! - Our adoptable cats are currently at Petco in our Westport (Post Road East) and Norwalk (Main Ave) locations. Caring for these cats involve feeding them, cleaning their cubbies, and giving them time and space to stretch their legs and play. Training is provided. We offer flexible hours and volunteer shifts both in the mornings or evenings. We ask for an hour or two of your time per shift.
Fostering - You would be fostering a TAILS cat or kitten(s), or both. This enables the animal the opportunity to be in a safe, home environment while getting socialization. We get a tremendous number of cats and kittens through our spay and neuter activities who we would love to help, but cannot without foster homes. All you need is a spare room. Duration of fostering typically lasts a few weeks, potentially longer if you are fostering kittens and a litter of kittens is brought to us young. All fosters are supplied with food, litter, toys and bedding, as needed. Apply here!
Trap with us! - Also known as "TNR" (Trap/Neuter/Return) - we assist people with catching cats outside and getting them spayed, neutered, and vaccinated. Sites are throughout Fairfield County and trapping is typically at night or on weekends. Training is provided.
Help us with cat transport or recovery - We need help with transporting cats to and from veterinary appointments, helping house a cat overnight or two nights post-surgery, etc.
Join our fundraising team! - TAILS saves animals by raising funds through our events and newsletters.... and we need help. Whether you want to help plan the events or volunteer at them - this is the team for you.
TEAM TAILS is our walk/run fundraising team. We need help organizing, soliciting for members, posting information and (if interested) participation. Team members walk or run a short distance in a local race and get pledges/make a donation for their participation.
We try to make our events as fun as possible... and our planning meetings too!
View our calendar of events for everything we have coming up!
Who can volunteer with TAILS?
Anyone can volunteer with us! This is a great way for teens, adults, and students to earn volunteer hours for work or school.
Young kids should have a parent or guardian with them during volunteer shifts.
How can I join your team?
Please check out our calendar of events on the homepage of our website for volunteer orientations, monthly volunteer meetings, adoption events, and more.
Follow us on social @TAILSSpayNeuter to stay up-to-date on all things TAILS!
What's the best way to contact you?
For all other inquiries not listed here, please contact us at info@tailsct.org or text (203) 222-1992. Please text, do not call. Thank you!
