We are a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization working to promote compassion and healing through human-animal connection, founded in 2013 to commemorate and honor the life of Catherine Violet Hubbard, a six-year-old victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Catherine always said that one day she would care for animals and that nurturing them was her passion. If she were with us today, there is no doubt she would have realized her dream to work with and care for animals.
In 2014, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation was awarded over 34 acres of Connecticut state farmland by a unanimous vote from the Connecticut State House of Representatives and Senate, which would become home to the Catherine Violet Hubbard Sanctuary. The sanctuary pays tribute to Catherine and her spirit of kindness towards all living things by honoring the bond between humans, animals and the environment.
Since our inception, we have raised over $6.5 million in funding, including grants from Petco Love, ASPCA, Tito’s Vodka and more to support our breadth of programming, including our pollinator protection initiative providing critical shelter, sustenance and migration space for butterflies, hummingbirds, bees and other critical ecosystem pollinators, free community workshops around animal care and environmental protection, aid for seniors to keep and care for their pets and much more. Our donor contributions also go towards our ongoing construction of sanctuary facilities, including a vet in-take center, learning barn and Catherine’s Library.
Our History
Since our inception in 2013, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation has continued to make significant progress towards building a place that will reflect Catherine’s kindness and compassion. We’ve crossed some significant milestones off our list and are looking forward to the exciting road ahead.
Awards/Accreditations
We are honored to receive recognition by top animal welfare, business leaders and organizations for our work of compassion.
Helen Woodward Animal Center – Animal Champions Tribute Award
ASPCA – Kid of the Year Award to Catherine (awarded posthumously)
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary – “How to Start and Run an Animal Sanctuary” certification
Westfair Communications – Family-owned Business Award
GuideStar – Gold Star of Transparency
Greenwich Communities Outstanding Partner Award, 2021
Meet The Team
The team members that make up the everyday at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary.
Laura, Jenny, Chris, Alice & Harmony
Meet Our Board
Board Members
Jennifer Hubbard, Philip Hubbard III, Kevin Massett, Earl Wheway, Kelly McCormick-Sullivan, Jennifer Stites
Catherine’s kindred spirits, the Children’s and Junior Executive Boards help preserve the sanctuary’s whimsical and innocent vision while sharing their insight and ideas with the board.
Junior Advisory Board
Anna Ochs, Freddy Hubbard, Benjamin Ochs, Sadie Paulos, Olivia Guizzo, Gianna Amatuzzi, Reagan Bajus, Ryan Smith, Ava Rochester
Children’s Advisory Board
Annie Harrigan, Aidan Tucker, Lily Tucker, Reese Gagnon, Veronica Smielewska-Antov, Remy Paulos, Luke Fitzpatrick, Ava Lombardo, Greyson Israel, Gavin Spraker, Olivia Spraker, Ava Capelli
