NEWS
The paw-ty of the year is back!
HSCC's Black Tie & Tails Benefit is rolling out the red carpet on June 7th, 2025 at Hula! Please join us to celebrate the power of the human-animal bond and have a ball while helping us raise vital funds for our 125-year-old animal shelter.
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 most fabulous feline is...
With a total of 58 fabulous felines submitted and over 16,000 votes cast by 339 cat lovers, we are thrilled to share that our 7th Annual Fabulous Feline Foto Contest raised $12,906 for the Humane Society of Chittenden County!
Congratulations to our 1st Place (People's Choice) winner: Princess!
Age: 13 years old
Princess is fabulous because: Princess is a true cat in every sense. A pure hunter, climbs trees, loves every box she can find, fiercely loyal to only her humans and no one else. She also lives up to her name. She rules the household just like a Princess. Disturb her royal grounds at your peril, her distinct meow will let you know if you have. Princess is a very sweet cat, she has never once clawed somebody intentionally in 13 years. She is an original Humane Society rescue, adopted in 2014. She is part Norwegian Forest and we suspect part Maine Coon. Her jet black coat is thick, but her underbelly and ruff reveal gray and even white fur, giving her a very beautiful look. She has been thru a lot; rescued, severe injury, cancer, yet she embodies the spirit of the HSCC and this contest with every dainty step.
Nickname: Oshka
Hidden talent: Climbing trees
Favorite napping spot: Her human father's lap
2nd Place (People's Choice Runner Up): Francie!
Age: ~11
Francie is fabulous because: Francie is an amazing FIV+ cat made of love and charisma. We adopted her in 2019 and she is sassy, demanding, soft, funny, very vocal, and fiercely loving. Her favorite things in the whole world are playing and snuggling with us or her brother Fergus. She's the perfect balance of love bug and diva in a velvety soft little package! She is vibrant proof that FIV cats can lead healthy, happy, normal lives.
Nickname(s): Francie Fancy-Pants, Teeny Weeny Francelini, Baby Bingus, Francelina Pudding-Cup
Hidden talent: Francie is a dedicated private detective, working on high profile cases such as "What's in that cabinet?" and "What if I knocked that on the floor?"
Favorite napping spot: Snuggled in mom's arms
3rd Place (Judge's Pick): Leo!
Age: 10
Leo is fabulous because: Leo is a true marmalade. He will snuggle with you but let you know when he has had
enough. He has a big personality and we love him dearly
Nickname: Garfield
Hidden talent: Looking innocent then making you regret your decision
Favorite napping spot: Office futon
Thank you so much to everyone who paw-ticipated in our 7th Annual Fabulous Feline Foto Contest! Each entry and vote benefits HSCC's programs & services and helps us care for thousands of animals each year.
Special thanks to our friends at Peak Veterinary Referral Center for supporting HSCC's Fabulous Feline Foto Contest this year!
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:
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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:
Please join us on Saturday, June 7th, 2025 for our third annual Black Tie & Tails Benefit! Click here to learn more.
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 Center Hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 1PM - 4PM
Saturday: 12PM - 4PM
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Interested adopters are encouraged to arrive at least 1 hour before we close to allow enough time to complete the adoption process.
Happy Tails
