Feline Overpopulation

Most cat-related calls the department receives are a direct result of feline overpopulation resulting from owners failing to spay or neuter their cats. Cats can become pregnant at four months of age. Contrary to popular belief, an animal does not have to have a first litter before being spayed.

It is equally important to neuter and spay cats as they contribute to the spread of Feline AIDS and Leukemia. A responsible cat owner spays or neuters his/her cat between 5 and 6 months of age. By law, cats need to be vaccinated for rabies from 3 months of age.

Cats are best kept indoors. We receive numerous calls about lost cats. Coyotes and fishers are mostly to blame. The town of Tolland does not have legal responsibility to care for stray cats, and the kennel is not equipped to handle cats long-term but we do offer some services on a space-available basis. We cannot take in feral (aka wild) cats. We assist Tolland residents as much as we can and give advice about stray cat problems or unwanted cats.

It is advised that you do not feed stray cats before making sure that they are spayed or neutered. Feeding unaltered stray cats only adds to the overpopulation problem by increasing litter sizes and making the problem worse. The following organizations may be able to provide assistance:

CATS Northeast, Inc. (“Cats Assisted Through Spay/Neuter”)
If you need help trapping cats to have them altered, call “CATS Northeast” in Mansfield at (860) 942-9676 between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm.

PLEASE NOTE: this is not a shelter. It is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of cats in the community primarily through spay/neuter and the vaccination of cats who would not otherwise receive medical care. They provide spay/neuter assistance for stray and feral cats, feral cat colony guidance, and emergency medical assistance when funds are available. They can provide affordable (discounted) veterinary care for people who are feeding a colony of feral cats, for kind people who would like to take in an abandoned cat they have found, or those who need a break with initial vetting.

Please visit their website for more detailed information.

TEAM Van (Mobile Spay/Neuter Van)
The TEAM van, a mobile spay/neuter unit for cats only, will spay/neuter and give cats vaccines at low costs. Call 1-888-FOR-TEAM (1-888-367-8326) for more information and current pricing.

The following organizations may be helpful for cats needing homes:
Please be aware that because of the cat overpopulation problem they may be full.

  • Connecticut Humane Society: (860) 594-4502 and (860) 442-8583
  • Kitty Angels: (860) 742-8250
  • Protectors Of Animals: (860) 569-0722
  • Helping Paws: (860) 267-0496