NEWS
Sit. Paw. Stay safe! In this engaging and practical presentation by canine behaviorist, Emily Lewis of VT Dog Behavior, attendees will learn how to accurately read canine body language and respond with safe, respectful handling techniques. The session will cover key signals dogs use to communicate stress, fear, excitement, and relaxation—along with guidance on how to approach, interact with, or give space to a dog based on these cues.
Whether you're working with a family pet, a community stray, or dogs at the local dog park, this workshop is designed to empower you with the tools and confidence to ensure safer, more positive interactions.
This workshop is ideal for dog owners, dog trainers, pet sitters, dog volunteers, animal control officers, and anyone who interacts with dogs in the community. Hosted by the Humane Society of Chittenden County, this 1-hour interactive session supports our mission to educate and empower our community in building safer, more compassionate relationships with animals.
And the best in brew is...
Congratulations to Eli, the winner of our first-ever Best in Brew contest!
As the top vote-fetching dog, Eli will have his portrait featured on limited-edition Four Quarters Brewing Sundog IPA!
Thank you so much to everyone who paw-ticipated and helped us raise $14,427!
Thank you for supporting Black Tie & Tails!
We had a pawsome time at our 3rd annual Black Tie & Tails Benefit on June 7th!
Thank you so much to everyone who attended, donated, and bid on our online auction items to help us raise vital funds for our 125-year-old animal shelter. Thanks to our generous donors and sponsors, we raised $160,000!
Click here to view & download photos from the event, and stay tuned for details about next year's paw-ty!
Read our 2024 Annual Report
A message from HSCC's new executive director, Jess Wilson
Dear HSCC Community,
If we haven't met already, it’s a pleasure to meet you virtually! I joined the HSCC team in January after spending the last 27 years leading community media nonprofits in the Burlington area. Most recently I was the Co-Director of the Media Factory and a big part of my work was helping other nonprofit organizations engage their supporters and clients with compelling stories. I loved this work and the deep connections it allowed me to build in this community, but the idea of bringing my leadership and communication skills to an organization like HSCC was quite simply catnip to me!
I grew up in a large family here in Vermont and currently live in Shelburne with my wife, two stepchildren, two dogs and two cats (including HSCC alum Smudge).
Throughout my life, I’ve been fortunate to share my home with a variety of animals - cats, dogs, rabbits, and almost a baby turtle (thanks mom for making us return it to the wild where it belonged!). Each of these animals hold a special place in my heart and taught me many life lessons about empathy, responsibility, loss, and the pure joy of living in the moment. I believe the bond between a person and their companion animal can be transcendent. I’ve been lucky to experience the power of this connection and know that it bolsters the health and well-being of each.
I’ve long supported the mission of HSCC because the organization shares these values with me. The HSCC team works tirelessly to ensure every pet has a loving home and that every pet owner has access to the resources they need to give those pets healthy and happy lives. In my short time on the job, I've already witnessed life-saving surgeries, dozens of adoptions, and countless hours spent serving the community by our dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and board members, whose deep commitment to the animals in our care is truly inspiring.
I look forward to meeting more of you and invite you to stop by the shelter for a visit - if you’re lucky it will be a day that my pup Willoughby is at work, too. (Full disclosure: Willoughby will demand treats! And I will likely talk your ear off about all the exciting things happening at HSCC or my other passions, pickleball and theater.)
With Gratitude,
Jess Wilson
Newsletters & Reports
Click below to view our summer newsletters:
Want to stay up-to-date with all the happenings at HSCC? Click here to sign up for our mailing list.
Click below to view our annual reports:
Annual Events
Thank you so much to everyone who paw-ticipated in HSCC's 7th annual Fabulous Feline Foto Contest and helped make it a huge success!
Congratulations to the winners of our 7th annual Fabulous Feline Foto Contest:
We had a pawsome time at our 3rd annual Black Tie & Tails Benefit on June 7th, 2025!
Thank you so much to everyone who attended, donated, and bid on our online auction items to help us raise vital funds for our 125-year-old animal shelter. Thanks to our generous donors and sponsors, we raised $160,000!
Click here to view & download photos from the event, and stay tuned for details about next year's paw-ty!
Thank you to everyone who came out to support Bark & Brew 2024! We had a pawsome time this year, and thanks to our amazing sponsors and supportive community, we raised $30,000 for our programs & services helping animals in need. Stay tuned for details about Bark & Brew 2025!
After 2 weeks of furriendly competition, 54 photos submitted, 5,457 votes cast, and a true "foto finish" in the last few moments, a total of $6,807 was raised in our 3rd Annual Fabulous Feline Foto Contest! Thank you to all who entered and voted - we can't wait for next year!
Community events
The Helyn Kerr Humane Education Series offers free seminars on various humane education topics that are geared towards anyone interested in knowing more about their companion animals.
Upcoming Seminars
Snouts, Signals & Safety: Dog Decoder Workshop
When: Saturday, July 12th, 2025, 10AM-11AM
Where: HSCC Classroom (142 Kindness Court, S Burlington VT)
Sit. Paw. Stay safe! In this engaging and practical presentation by canine behaviorist, Emily Lewis of VT Dog Behavior, attendees will learn how to accurately read canine body language and respond with safe, respectful handling techniques. The session will cover key signals dogs use to communicate stress, fear, excitement, and relaxation—along with guidance on how to approach, interact with, or give space to a dog based on these cues.
This workshop is ideal for dog owners, dog trainers, pet sitters, dog volunteers, animal control officers, and anyone who interacts with dogs in the community. Hosted by the Humane Society of Chittenden County, this 1-hour interactive session supports our mission to educate and empower our community in building safer, more compassionate relationships with animals.
Saturday, March 22nd, 2025
11PM - 1PM
Grand Isle Fire Department: 17 Hyde Road, Grand Isle, VT
$20 per vaccine - cards and cash accepted
Check back for updates about future rabies clinics, and click here to schedule a rabies vaccine through our Community Pet Clinic!
Check back for future updates!
Adoption Hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 1PM - 4PM*
Saturday: 12PM - 4PM
Sunday & Monday: Closed
*Closed Friday, July 4th
Interested adopters are encouraged to arrive at least 1 hour before close to allow enough time to complete the adoption process.
Happy Tails
