Catherine Violet Hubbard was all the descriptors of a redhead. “Catherine was bold, fearless, and strong-willed. When she loved, she loved hugely,” says her mother, Jenny Hubbard. Above everything, Catherine loved animals. “She would build little habitats for the creatures in our yard – butterflies, frogs, ladybugs. When she released them at the end of the day, she would whisper to them to tell their animal friends that she, Catherine was kind,” says Hubbard. “It was her hope that more animals would come back to her.”
One can only imagine where life would’ve taken such a passionate spirit, but tragically, six-year-old Catherine was one of the 19 students and six educators who died in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on December 14, 2012. “Sometimes heartbreaking things happen that are out of our control. You can either curl up in a ball or find a way to move forward,” says Hubbard.
Faced with the unimaginable task of writing her daughter’s obituary, Hubbard asked herself, “What should we put for in lieu of flowers, how do we honor her heart?” The family decided upon the Newtown Animal Control Center, aka the pound, that Catherine often liked to visit. However, a small typo – some might say a happy mistake – changed the course of events. Hubbard accidentally typed the Newtown Animal Center – a small non-profit that rescued dogs and cats – which was quickly inundated with donations in Catherine’s memory. Women from the Animal Center contacted the Hubbard family, looking for direction on what to do with the money. The resulting idea was the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation and Animal Sanctuary, who’s mission is to ensure that animals live free from harm in homes and native habitats and to be a place where animals and people can heal together.
The first pillar of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation and Animal Sanctuary is the direct care of animals. One example of this is their Senior Paws Project. “The cost of caring for a pet has gone up and unfortunately, for some seniors, it has become increasingly difficult to afford basic care for their pets,” says Hubbard. By partnering with affordable housing communities and social workers, the CVH Foundation helps provide monthly pet food, annual wellness exams, and prescriptive care. “I no longer have to grapple with ‘Can I afford to keep and feed my pet?’ Their support has been an incredible gift,” says Patricia C, a Senior Paws client.
The second pillar of the CVH Foundation is education – teaching people how to keep animals free from harm and how to protect their habitats. “Last year our programming grew by nearly 150%,” says Hubbard, “but because our programs were held under tents, running them has been dependent on good weather.” The construction of Catherine’s Learning Barn – due to be completed in May 2025 – will allow year-round programs to be offered, allowing for more students to participate. Eve N, says, “Sanctuary programs taught me that we’re all connected and inspired me to protect nature and all its creatures. Surrounded by such kindness, I’ve learned to love and accept others as well as myself.”
The increase of educational programming will help augment the eventual realization of another permanent structure on-site. On one side of this future building will be the CVH Foundation offices, a café, and a flexible learning space, and on the other side, a full-time veterinary clinic. In the middle will be the Pavillion. Designed by PH Architects, the Pavillion is the only structure that will have red terracotta tiles, in honor of Catherine’s fiery red hair. The colonnades that connect the two sides are representative of Catherine’s welcoming arms. Hubbard hopes to see the construction of the facility come to fruition soon, “We’ve got all the permits, we just need the funds,” she says.
Land conservation is the final pillar of the CVH Foundation. In 2014, the State of Connecticut conveyed 34 acres of pristine farmland that was formerly part of the Fairfield Hills Campus. Since then, the Foundation has worked hard to reclaim and restore the land. Under the guidance of a land management program provided by UCONN and the effort of countless volunteers, they’ve removed invasive plants, installed a pollinator garden and apiary, created a native, self-sustaining garden, and established a community garden that provides food from both humans and animals. “It has been a beautiful progression,” says Hubbard.
Every June, to celebrate Catherine’s birthday, the CVH Foundation gives the community a glimpse of what the Sanctuary does. Since its inauguration ten years ago, Catherine’s Butterfly Party has grown from 1500 attendees to over 15,000, including 31 animal rescues, nine educators with animal ambassadors, as well as food trucks, face painting, and local artisans. “Catherine’s Butterfly Party is an afternoon where kids (and adults) are on the same level, regardless of the social or economic background, and can connect with animals,” says Hubbard.
In its quiet and gentle way, the Catherine Violet Hubbard’s Foundation and Animal Sanctuary aims to exemplify the idea of human compassion as a conduit of change. “What we’re finding,” says Hubbard, “is that when people care for animals, they become kinder and more empathetic.” It’s Hubbard’s hope that this compassion can transform how people treat each other. “If we can trust in the kindness of people, we can make a difference.”
For more information or to volunteer, please visit http://www.cvhfoundation.org
