Who we are
Despurate House Cats is a volunteer-run, foster-based cat rescue with our feet firmly planted in Connecticut. Based in New Milford, we help cats throughout the state where the homeless cat population crisis continues to grow. Our focus is on stray, abandoned, and overlooked cats who need a second chance through rescue, rehabilitation, adoption, education, and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR).
We believe every cat deserves to be seen as an individual. Some need medical care, some need time to learn that people can be trusted, and others simply need a safe place to land before finding the family they were always meant for. Because every cat in our care lives in a foster home, we truly get to know them and match them with the right forever home.
We are a judgment-free resource for cat owners facing difficult situations and believe keeping pets with the people who love them is just as important as rescue. As a foster-based rescue, our focus is on helping cats who are living without a safety net, so we do not accept owner surrenders. However, we are always happy to provide education, guidance, and support to help families and their cats stay together whenever possible.
Beyond rescue, we are committed to community education, humane solutions like TNR, and helping people understand the difference between stray and feral cats. Together, we can reduce suffering and create a more compassionate future for cats throughout Connecticut.
Founder
Welcome, and thank you for taking the time to learn more about Despurate House Cats. My name is Carley, and I am a lifelong resident of New Milford, Connecticut. My love for animals started at a young age with my first cat, Tigger, but that passion grew into over 10 years of fostering and rescue work. My own home is filled with cats and dogs who have become family, and I understand firsthand the patience, compassion, and dedication it takes to help animals thrive.
Professionally, I am a Licensed Veterinary Technician with years of hands-on experience in veterinary medicine, animal care, and client education. My background has allowed me to support cats with complex medical needs, behavioral challenges, and difficult beginnings while providing adopters and caregivers with the knowledge and guidance they need to succeed.
Despurate House Cats was created after seeing an overwhelming need to help stray cats throughout Connecticut. From rural communities like ours in New Milford to the more densely populated cities across the state, cats are struggling every day with little access to spay/neuter services, medical care, or safe placement. Our mission was built to help fill that gap, providing humane solutions through TNR, rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption while educating and supporting the people working to help these cats. I believe rescue is built on compassion, trust, and teamwork, and I am committed to creating a resource where both cats and the people who care about them feel supported.
Meet The Board
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Cailie
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Karson
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Sabrina
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Chris
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Harold
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Phoenix
Every year, thousands of community cats struggle to survive without food, shelter, or medical care. Left unspayed or unneutered, these cats reproduce quickly, leading to overpopulation, illness, and more kittens born into hardship.
That’s where Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) comes in.
TNR is a humane, effective method of managing and reducing the outdoor cat population. With your support, we’re able to:
Humanely trap stray and feral cats
Spay or neuter them to prevent further litters
Provide vaccines and medical care
Return them safely to their familiar environments, preventing new cats from moving in
TNR not only improves the lives of the cats—it protects local wildlife, reduces community complaints, and creates healthier, more manageable cat colonies.
Your donation directly funds these life-saving efforts. Help us reduce suffering, save lives, and create a safer future for cats in our community.