Westport Non-Profit Celebrates 20 Years of Helping Local Animals

The Alliance in Limiting Strays

A dedicated group of local animal lovers is celebrating a feat worthy of a lot of tail wagging. The Alliance In Limiting Strays (TAILS), an all-volunteer spay/neuter specific organization, marked their 20th year of spaying and neutering local dogs and cats earlier this month.

"It's amazing what was borne from 9 people who dreamed of making a difference," Dorrie Harris, President of TAILS stated. "And what a difference we've made. Given breeding statistics for two unspayed/unneutered dogs or cats, we have literally saved millions of animals through our spay/neuter and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs," she stated. "We do roughly 550 spay/neuters every year thanks to our volunteers, donors and local veterinarians who support and share our mission. We also adopt about 170 cats into loving homes each year who we save directly from the streets. But there are still so many out there to help."

The group helps both dogs and cats but truly focuses on where they see the most need: feral cats. "A pair of feral, or community, cats can easily turn into 40 cats in two years - so that's where the need is greatest in our area," Harris stated. "These cats have few advocates so we've become their champion and trap as many cats as possible to get spay/neutered/vaccinated and returned to their feeder [cat colony caretaker]," she continued.

TAILS was formed in April 2001 and received their IRS, tax-exempt certification on November 7, 2001. The organization is a stand-alone, 501c3 organization which consists of a dedicated group of volunteers of all ages in the area with no paid staff. In early 2001, the founding members broke off from the animal shelter environment to emphasize the importance of, and need for, spaying and neutering, a critical procedure all too often lost when budget decisions are made and existing animals are at the doorstep.

"Nobody wants dogs and cats to die because there aren't enough adopters, lack kennel space or unsuccessfully trying to live on the streets....but that's the reality of where we are right now, unfortunately. To stop this we need to get every animal we can spayed or neutered," Harris stated. "If you imagine the shelter system as a sink of overflowing animals - how would you stop that sink from overflowing? You'd turn off the faucet, right? The supply, in other words. Spaying and neutering is the equivalent of shutting that faucet off. It's really that simple. And there are a host of health benefits to each animal when they're spay/neutered too," she added. Harris also stated the organization is a no-kill and only puts animals down when medically necessary as deemed by a veterinarian.

TAILS is based in Westport and serves as the Town's de facto cat group which represents and protects local cats from homelessness whenever possible as local Animal Control does not currently have the ability to take-in or place cats. Additionally, the organization supports 9 surrounding towns, has a robust TNR and Barn Cat program, has adoptable cats in two local Petco stores (Norwalk & Westport) and a dedicated group of more than 55 volunteers. Harris commented that volunteers, participating veterinarians/vet techs, foster homes and donors are always being sought to continue their work. More information or to support TAILS please visit http://www.tailsct.org, www.facebook.com/TAILSSpayNeuter, Instagram under tails_spay_neuter or via email at info@tailsct.org or phone at 203.222.1992.

Nearly 3,000 Compete in 41st Annual Turkey Trot; Westporters Crack Top 10 Fastest

Over 2,700 registered runners woke up early to run the 5 mile Turkey Trot course throughout Southport and Westport yesterday, a tradition that’s been continued into its 44th year. The Pequot Running Club and local athletes have been organizing the Thanksgiving Day race since 1978, taking a break last year due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The race kicked off at 8:15 under bright skies and crisp Fall temperatures as local streets were closed to the event, with a Westport Police Cruiser leading the pack. Several Westporters ranked high in the race, a popular family event for returning college students and former Westporters. Over 200 local kids and families also participated in the 2.6 mile walk - a leisurely way to catch up with friends and family while enjoying the scenic vistas.

The race was won by Fairfield resident James Maniscalco with a final time of 24 minutes, 9 seconds - with 4:50 mile times. See below how Westporters ranked out of the 2,722 runners.

Westport Men Top 10:

• 5th Overall: Bryon Grevious: 24:58

• 6th Overall: Oliver Hickson: 25:21

• 9th Overall: Teddy O’Kane: 25:43

• 10th Overall: Luke Lorenz: 25:58

Westport Women Top 10:

• 67th Overall, 4th in Women’s: Riley Lipman: 30:41

• 74th Overall, 5th in Women’s: Lucy Pfeffer: 31:10

Stephanie Haase Moore, 83, Died; Staples Class of 1956, Devoted Local Volunteer

Obituary 

Stephanie Haase Moore, age 83, of Wilton, CT, passed away on November 18, 2021 at Meadow Ridge medical center while recovering from recent heart surgery.

For sixty-one years she was the beloved wife of Gary Moore, and then loving mother of Scott, Leanne and Kristen and doting grandmother of Emma, Katie and Charlotte.

Steffi was born on April 19, 1938 in New Rochelle, NY, attended Thornton Donoval school, and lived on Interlaken Avenue until she was fifteen. In 1953 her parents, George and Helen Haase, moved the family to Sturges Ridge Road in Wilton, and she attended Staples High School in Westport, graduating in 1956.

She went on to attend Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, where she majored in English Literature and was a proud member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Stef was blessed to meet the handsome former GI, Gary, in the student snack bar, and reluctantly agreed to have a beer with him at the local farmer's bar. They were married five months later and finished their degrees together.

Steffi and Gary quickly started a family, residing first in Bridgeport and then settling back in Wilton, CT. She took immense pride in being an amazing stay at home mother, who focused on volunteering with any organization that needed her. The groups to which she was most devoted included the Treasure House and The Turnover Shop, and her ultimate joy came from the hours she dedicated to the Minks to Sinks twice-yearly event.
Steffi took her role as grandmother very seriously and got tremendous happiness from her three granddaughters. She particularly enjoyed sharing her love of dollhouse collectibles, watching movies and making her famous chicken paprikash for them.

In addition to her almost seven-decade love of Wilton, Steffi also savored her time at the family getaway in western Pennsylvania, where Gary grew up. She was always most content to relax with a crossword puzzle or a book on the front porch rockers with a glass of wine in her hand, her famous spaghetti sauce bubbling on the stove. Most of all she loved time with her family and friends.

Stephanie is survived by her husband, Gary, her two daughters, Leanne Moore of Norwalk and Kristen and husband, Stewart, of Ridgefield, granddaughters Emma Caroline, Katherine Scott and Charlotte Claire, and brother Jon Haase and wife Margaret of Wilton. She is predeceased by her son, Scott.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Bouton Funeral Home, 31 W. Church St., Georgetown, CT 06829. Friends may greet the family from 1:00-2:00 pm. Interment will be private at Hillside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her memory to Family and Children's Agency or the Wilton Library.
https://familyandchildrensagency.org/ or https://www.wiltonlibrary.org/

Car Accident Reported on Wilton Road at Kings Highway North; Avoid the Area

A motor vehicle accident has been reported shortly after 1:30 today at the intersection of Wilton Road and Kings Highway North. No information has been released, expect traffic and avoid the area if possible as first responders head to the scene.