Animal Sanctuary Planned In Memory of Catherine Violet Hubbard
Dear Friends-
On December 14, 2012, a gunman entered Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown and took the lives of twenty innocent children and six adults. The unthinkable had happened and for people everywhere, the world stopped. It just stopped.
One of the victims was six-year-old Catherine Violet Hubbard, a beautiful child who will be remembered for her love of animals and her constant smile.
"Catherine loved all animals," say the Hubbards. "She would chase down strangers just to pet their dogs, squeal with delight as butterflies landed on her arm and sit for hours watching baby birds in a nest. We would overhear her whispering to insects and animals...her words: tell all your friends that I'm kind."
Catherine told her parents one day she would care for animals. At the age of 6, she even had business cards made that read "Catherine's Animal Shelter" and included her self-appointed title: "Care Taker."
In lieu of flowers, the Hubbard family asked that donations in her memory go to The Animal Center. Donations, cards and gifts poured in from all corners of the world. Catherine's story had touched the lives of thousands of people.
The Animal Center's longtime vision of creating a sanctuary resonated deeply with Catherine's parents, Jenny and Matt Hubbard. So when it came time to get together to discuss how best to honor Catherine with the memorial funds that had come in, it was clear to all of us: we were going to work together to make this little girl's dream come true.
Today, the Hubbard family and The Animal Center are pleased to announce plans to build the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, a place where all creatures, great and small, can know the touch of a kind hand and be safe from harm.
"For all of us who love animals, Catherine is a kindred spirit," says Harmony Verna, Vice President of The Animal Center. "In keeping with The Animal Center's mission to help animals most in need, the Sanctuary will be a "last place option" where neglected, abused or homeless animals will get the second chance they deserve. It will be a place of healing, where children and adults can connect with animals and the natural world. We hope Catherine will think it is the most beautiful place on Earth."
To learn more or to help help make the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary a reality, please visit our Sanctuary page.
Thank you for caring for the animals and for being part of our work of love.
Kim Coleman & Monica Roberto
Founders, The Animal Center, Inc
PO Box 475, Newtown, CT 06470