The Connecticut Humane Society

The Act incorporating the Connecticut Humane Society in 1881 states, "The purpose of the Society is to promote humanity and kindness, and to prevent cruelty to both man and animals, by information, statistics, appropriate literature, and by any and all lawful means which they may deem wise and best, and by assisting in the prosecution of crimes of a cruel and inhumane nature; and generally to encourage justice and humanity, and to discourage injustice and inhumanity.

Description:
The Connecticut Humane Society continues it's mission to serve the people and animals of the state by offering a wide variety of services. Shelter services include animal adoption, surrender services for people who can no longer care for their pets, law enforcement services, dog obedience classes and dog behavior consultation. Services designed to educate the next generation include shelter tours, the Kindness Club, Camp Claire, membership in the KIND (Kids in Nature's Defense) Club and the KIND newsletter. Sevices for our elder citizens include Pet Facilitated Therapy and Pets for People, a program sponsored by Ralston Purina that provides pet adoption to people over 60 years old at no cost. The Fox Memorial Clinic (a wholly owned subsidiary of The Connecticut Humane Society) provides quality, reduced cost veterinary care to people in financial need. Finally, the Society offers a number of volunteer opportunities to suit a variety of interests and talents. This is a LeadershipService opportunity. This is a YouthService opportunity.

History:
The Connecticut Humane Society was founded in 1881 by Gertrude O. Lewis, a Hartford High School senior. At that time, she witnessed many acts of abuse to both people and animals. As there was no agency that provided protective services, she formed a group called the Connecticut Humane Society with a mission to help both people and animals. The first office opened at the corner of Prospect and Grove Streets in Hartford. As the need for our unique services of protection to humans and animals grew, it became apparent quite early in our history that expansion was necessary. Within a short period of time the headquarters was moved to Washington Street where it remained for over 30 years. In 1900 the first branch office was opened in New Haven and shortly thereafter branches were established in Bridgeport, New London and Stamford. Today there are four satellite branches located in Waterford, Bethany, Westport and at PetsMart in Waterbury. Even though the Society is a private agency, up until 1965 we were the only agency providing statewide protective services to the children of Connecticut. In that year the State of Connecticut established the department which is now known as The Department of Children and Families and we began a gradual phase-out of our protective services for children. In 1959 we moved the headquarters to our present location on Russell Road in Newington. In 1998, a new 30,000 square foot, state-of-the-art shelter and Pet Wellness Medical Center was completed and the old headquarters building was demolished. The new facility more than triples our capacity to care for unwanted and abused pets, and also allows the Society to offer improved and expanded serves to pets and their owners.

Contact person: Melissa Zaluski, Volunteer Manager, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: 860-665-1478

Address:

701 Russell Road Newington, CT 06111 (See a map)

Directions:

North of Hartford: Take I91 South to exit 28 onto the Berlin Turnpike, Route 5 & 15. Take Route 175 off Berlin Turnpike. Take an immediate right onto Russell Road. We are on the left side. . . (more) For maps or information, please see http://www.cttransit.com/