Tails High

11/14/2025

And just like that, it’s almost the weekend...

Our Friday night plans are less cosmopolitans and fancy high heels for a night out in the city, but more hanging on the couch with a kitty. In this case, cozying up with Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda sounds purrfect!

This fierce foursome went from a little feisty to oh so sweet over the last several weeks being adored by their foster family. The girls were discovered by a DC community member, along with their mama, living under an AC unit in his backyard. We are so appreciative that our volunteers were able to come to the rescue and scoop up this perfect family, despite being constantly inundated with these sorts of requests. It was also a wonderful surprise that the finder decided to adopt the mama cat and she’s living the indoor life she deserves because of this kind man!

These gal pals will be looking for their forever homes in a New York minute, but until then, they’re keeping their foster family entertained. Cheers to a great weekend ahead!

11/12/2025

Feeling the midweek slump? Don’t get too low, our adorable low rider Schuster is here to lift your spirits.

Schuster may look like a tiny 8-week-old kitten, but looks can be deceiving. This compact cutie is actually 3.5 months old. Thankfully, our experienced team noticed something was different about him and worked with our veterinarians to uncover the cause. The verdict: hypothyroidism.

If you remember Lazy Daisy from summer 2024, you might recall that hypothyroidism is a rare condition in kittens where their thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormone to regulate metabolism. That can lead to slower growth, lower energy, and sometimes a “forever kitten” appearance. The good news is that with the right medication, these kittens can thrive and live full, happy lives. Lazy Daisy, for example, is thriving with daily meds and loves life with her bestie Clara Bow.

Schuster has already started his thyroid medication and will be heading back to the vet in a few weeks for a recheck to make sure his values are improving. In the meantime, he’s proving that small stature doesn’t mean small personality. He’s become best friends with Simon Says and is about to welcome another buddy, Penguin, to their foster home known as “The Random House” with .fosters (she loves a clever theme!)

We never know what each cat’s journey will hold when we say yes, but Schuster is proof that with attentive fosters, great vets, and lots of love, we figure it out and maybe being low to the ground makes it easier to rise to the occasion.

11/11/2025

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A cat took in a kitten who was bigger than her own, and it turned out the little guy had so much to give. Simon SaysTails HighDuring a weekend TNR (trap-neuter-return) effort to help nearly 30 community cats, volunteers from Tails High stumbled upon a feline family in ...

11/11/2025

Johnny B. Goode speaks for all of us when he says, this Monday really Mondayed hard. Is it still a full moon? Is mercury in the microwave 🤪, or whatever that is?

While it was one hell of a day, Johnny was a trooper for his recheck vet appointment and he’s doing super great! He hated his blood draw but when you go to a vet that understands cats and their needs like Harmony Hill, this is what they’ll do to make your kitty comfortable. Lounging in a lap with a Churu.

Johnny is going to need an extensive dental surgery, now that we know he’s cancer-free after his biopsy results showed both masses were benign cysts. We’ll be sharing more details about how you can help him with this last big step before we find him the best forever home after 10 long years of waiting.

For now, we wish you a good evening and hope you’re chillin’ like Johnny with a Churu, or whatever floats your boat. ✌️

11/09/2025

While they look like they’re ready to tell you a bedtime story, this mama and (not so much anymore) baby could write a novel about their healing journey these last several weeks! Storybook and Fable are leaps and bounds from where they started because of the care, dedication and love of their foster family.

You likely remember how emaciated and malnourished they were when they first arrived, Storybook’s fur was patchy and she had clearly been through so much to keep her little girl safe outside. Fable struggled to grow and overcame a few hurdles that her Fosters have gotten her through to be the little ball of energy and love she is now! They’re simply adorable, over the top sweet, and entertaining to boot.

Soon they will be ready to accept adoption applications, as a pair or separately. Their fairytale has just begun and we feel fortunate to see them turn the page for a big and bright future ahead.

A friendly reminder to spay and neuter your pets, keep your cats indoors, consider supporting or getting involved with local TNR efforts or fostering! You can be part of the solution!

11/08/2025

There’s no feeling like it, when you see a cat that was near death, finally healthy and full of life. Fruit Bat’s transformation in the past two weeks has left us in awe. After his major surgery to remove a linear foreign body, he’s shown us just how strong and resilient he truly is. The string that nearly took his life had been so deeply embedded under his tongue that skin had grown over it, all while it remained anchored through his digestive tract. It’s almost unbearable to imagine how painful that must have been for him to endure, trying to eat and survive with such silent suffering.

This experience has opened our eyes to just how dangerous the most innocent things in a home can be. A simple piece of string, a frayed toy, even a thread from a blanket can become life-threatening. We hope Fruit Bat’s story serves as a powerful reminder to check your cats’ surroundings and toys carefully.

Today, he’s thriving. He’s finished all his medications, had his esophageal feeding tube removed earlier this week, and is eating completely on his own. In fact, he’s eating like a champ, making up for lost time and gaining a full pound since surgery. His personality has blossomed. He stands on his hind legs to reach his foster mom’s hand for pets, purrs nonstop, and loves to chatter when he hears someone coming to say hello. Seeing him happy, playful, and pain-free feels nothing short of miraculous.

We’re so grateful for everyone who made his recovery possible. His diagnostics, surgery, and hospitalization totaled just over $6,000, and thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve raised $4,400 toward his care. Your support, shares, and kindness keep us going through these tough cases. If you’re able to help us close the gap on Fruit Bat’s remaining balance, it would mean so much to our team and to this brave little survivor who is here because of you.

Fruit Bat will continue recovering with Acacia and Evan until he’s ready to move to another foster and, eventually, start accepting adoption applications again. Whoever gets to call him family will be so lucky. He’s a miracle, and we’re endlessly thankful to see him thriving, loved, and full of life.

11/07/2025

From the moment he was rescued as a tiny kitten and found his adoptive mama, Recess, and the rest of the Schoolyard Game litter, Simon has shown the world what true resilience looks like. His actual mama cat was believed to have run off, leaving Recess to welcome him as one of her own. At some point in his early days before rescue, Simon suffered an injury that left his back legs paralyzed. But that hasn’t slowed him down one bit! He learned to scoot, climb, play, and love with the same unstoppable enthusiasm as any kitten. Every day since, he’s reminded us that happiness isn’t about what you can do, but how fully you choose to live.

Simon has been cared for and adored by his devoted foster mom, Ryen, who has guided him through each milestone with patience and love. With support from us and the best veterinarians and specialists, Simon has had every opportunity to thrive. Acupuncture therapy has become an important part of his care, and we’ve seen remarkable progress in his mobility and litter box use since adding it to his routine.

Simon Says to keep smiling. Simon Says to be brave. Simon Says to love everyone you meet. That’s exactly how he lives. He’s an easygoing, happy boy who purrs the moment you walk in, greets every cat like an old friend, and believes there’s no such thing as a stranger. He zooms, climbs (but not on kitchen counters), cuddles, and fills every room with warmth.

Now, Simon is ready for his forever family. He would thrive in a home with another friendly cat to match his big heart and playful spirit. He may move differently, but that only makes him more special. Simon is sweetness without limits, resilience wrapped in orange fur, and the truest reminder that love always finds a way.

Simon Says: Adopt me! 🧡
Submit your adoption application on our website to be considered and please help us find him a perfect family by sharing his story!

11/06/2025

In Greek mythology, Penelope was known as “the weaver,” a name that spoke to devotion and love that never wavered. Our Penelope has been weaving her own story too, from survival to hope. She was found during a TNR effort in a DC neighborhood, where volunteers realized a few of the cats they were helping were far too friendly to be feral. Penelope walked right up as if she knew they were her chance at a new beginning. It was clear she once had a home and had been left behind, like so many cats whose lives are uprooted when people move or can no longer care for them.

Her rescue came just in time. Even though she was still young and petite, Penelope was already pregnant. Spaying her was urgent to protect her from the dangers of giving birth outside. When we later learned she was Feline Leukemia (FeLV) positive, we were even more grateful she had been saved when she was, before facing even greater risks on the street.

In her foster home, Penelope’s sweet spirit shines. She softly meows for pets, greets her foster mom with head boops, and wraps her tail around your arm for “tail hugs.” She loves feather toys, catnip mice, and cozy naps near her people. With her sleek black coat and striking green eyes, she looks like a tiny panther, and her charm is impossible to resist.

At about a year old, Penelope is healthy, playful, and full of love. Her FeLV+ status means she’ll need to be an only cat or live with other FeLV+ friends. Too often, FeLV+ cats and black cats are overlooked, even though they have the same love to give and the same dreams of finding a home. Penelope deserves to be seen for who she is: a joyful young cat ready to give her heart completely.

Adopters of FeLV+ cats often say it’s one of the most rewarding experiences imaginable. Those adopters are rare, almost like unicorns, but we know Penelope’s family is out there. Please share her story and help us find them. She’s ready to weave her love into the life of someone who will never let her go. 🖤

11/05/2025

The Full Moon is said to make people act a little crazy, but we think a basket of cute kittens can really make people kooky. 🌕

While we completely agree that these tiny furballs are adorable - these blue eyed babies had their foster mom flooded with adoption inquiries since day one, at just 5 weeks old! Interest in our kitties is always exciting but it seems like a good opportunity to share how we handle the care of foster kittens and our adoption process.

Ensuring that our kittens are healthy, well socialized and spayed/neutered prior to being made available for adoption is paramount. Kittens cannot undergo surgery until they are 2lbs, which is usually around 8 weeks of age, but everyone grows differently. Spaying and neutering is not only important to prevent reproduction during the cat overpopulation crisis, but it’s best for their overall health.

Performing the procedure before puberty also reduces the risk of serious health issues such as reproductive organ cancers and infections. In addition to these medical benefits, spayed and neutered cats are less likely to engage in unwanted behaviors such as spraying, yowling, fighting, and roaming. Early surgery helps prevent these behaviors from ever developing, leading to calmer, more content companions.

We also strongly believe that kittens are happiest when adopted in pairs or to homes with another young cat. Felines need companionship, especially kittens that are still learning important behaviors and how to cat. We don’t consider applications for single kittens.

Kittens are crazy cute and these babies could certainly hang the moon, but they’re also a 15-20 year commitment that we take super seriously when finding them their future forever homes. 🌙

11/04/2025

Every goddess has her battles, and Nike has won hers with courage and the help of many kind people. Her name means victory, and that is exactly what her life represents. Once a house cat, she was abandoned and left to survive in a community cat colony in Northeast DC where she endured nearly two years with a painful degloved tail and a severe mosquito allergy. When volunteers learned about her, they knew she needed help and didn’t hesitate to find a way to give it to her, ensuring she received a critical tail amputation surgery at BVSPCA that undoubtedly changed her life for the better in the nick of time. Those same volunteers knew Nike needed an understanding rescue to give her time to adjust back to indoor life after everything she went through, eventually asking Tails High to make her a part of our family. How could we say no?

After a successful tail amputation and time to heal, she emerged stronger than ever. Her little lamb tail is now a symbol of everything she has overcome and the new life she’s ready to embrace. She has come so far in the care of her loving foster family and we are so grateful for volunteers that are willing to work with a shy kitty that just needs a soft place to land.

Nike adores being brushed and will softly coo when you talk to her, even drooling with happiness when she feels safe and loved. She LOVES temptations and Churu, softly taking treats from your hands. At an estimated 8-10 years old, she is in good health as noted by our vet at her check up, calm, and ready to begin her next chapter. She would prefer a quiet home where she can be a solo kitty, no dogs or small children.

Nike’s story is proof that love can transform even the hardest pasts. She has earned her victory, and now she’s ready to find her forever home. Submit your application on our website to be considered and please share her story so we can find the adopter she deserves.

11/02/2025

What will you do with an extra hour in the day? Arthur and Merlin already have it all planned out.

They start their morning gazing out the window, watching the leaves fall and the birds flutter by, maybe even a squirrel! Then it is playtime, of course, chasing their favorite crinkle balls across the floor, taking turns pouncing and tumbling until they tire each other out. When the afternoon light hits just right, they curl up together for a synchronized cat nap in their foster family’s laps, catching up on extra Zzzs they insist were part of the official daylight savings plan. And then there is Churu. Lots of Churu. If you ask Arthur and Merlin, an extra hour in the day should always mean an extra serving of Churu.

We have no idea how these perfect kitten brothers are still waiting for their forever family. They are adorable, affectionate, silly, and endlessly sweet. The kind of kittens who melt into your arms and look up at you with the softest eyes that seem to ask when it will finally be their turn.

Arthur and Merlin’s story began on the streets of DC where they were surviving as tiny babies with their mama Avalon. They were rescued together with their littermates, and Avalon just went to her new home yesterday, leaving her boys patiently waiting for the same happy ending. They have grown into the most handsome, gentle, and joyful pair, bonded in the best way and ready to share their magic with someone special.

If you could use more love and laughter in your life, Arthur and Merlin are ready to give you both. Submit your adoption application on our website and help us find the perfect family for these deserving boys. And remember, on a day when we all get an extra hour, Arthur and Merlin think it is the perfect time to say yes to a little extra love too.

10/31/2025

Looks like our broom broke down on the way to post this… but we promise our delay was for the best reason. 🍇🦇Fruit Bat is home! After major surgery on Tuesday, he’s doing so well that he was able to be discharged from the hospital and settle into his medical foster home for some intensive TLC. He may not be wearing a Halloween costume, but we think his rubber ducky pajamas are the cutest treat of all, keeping his incision clean and safe while his special collar protects his feeding tube.

🧪Hurkle Durkle is brewing up her own kind of magic tonight, rocking her little witch hat and stirring her potions to keep her seizures under control. With the help of her new anticonvulsants and plenty of love from her foster family, she’s doing well and reminding us that a little bit of magic and a lot of heart go a long way.

🎃Johnny B. Goode isn’t in costume either, but his silly derp face fits the Halloween mood perfectly. After years of feeling like he was trapped behind a scary mask with the growths on his head and neck, he’s finally free. His biopsies came back benign, his sutures are out, and he’s feeling better than ever. He still has a dental surgery ahead, but for now he’s just enjoying life without the dreaded e-collar and soaking up all the love.

🐈‍⬛ And of course, the rest of the Tails High cats are here to bring you smiles and a whole lot of charm from their foster families who somehow managed to capture a few purrfectly imperfect costume moments.

Happy (a little late) Halloween from all of us at Tails High!