In 1988, when Jennifer Jewiss was an undergrad at the University of Vermont, she decided to adopt a cat. When she visited the South Burlington shelter run by the Humane Society of Chittenden County she found a furry companion — and so much more. Püs (Norwegian for “cat”) was a long-hair t ortoiseshell cat. Jewiss bonded with her immediately. For the next 18 years, Püs was Jewiss’ best friend. “She was the world’s greatest cat, and I say that with all objectivity and a totally unbiased perspective,” Jewiss joked. After her positive experience with the adoption, Jewiss returned to the organization with a different question: How could she help? “Whatever it is you need, I’ll do it,” Jewiss told the organization’s leaders. She started with stuffing envelopes and sitting at the reception desk. Eventually, Jewiss’ volunteer work evolved into joining committees and serving on the board. In 1998, 10 years after adopting Püs, Jewiss became the board’s president and cochaired the committee that raised more than $4 million for the current shelter building. Jennifer Jewiss and her cat Püs Credit: Courtesy Jewiss is just one of thousands of volunteers and staff members who have kept the organization running for more than a century. In 2025, the Humane Society of Chittenden County rescued 210 animals from cruelty, abuse, abandonment, hoarding or neglect and facilitated 965 adoptions from its shelter on Kindness Court in South Burlington. When the organization started 125 years ago, members and volunteers worked out of a small Burlington garage. All these years later, the mission is essentially the same: to find every pet a loving home and to provide every pet owner the resources they need to give the animals in their care a healthy, happy life. To mark its anniversary, the Humane Society of Chittenden County will host its annual Best Friends Benefit at the Farmhouse at the Essex Resort Spa on May 29. It serves as both a party and a fundraiser. Jewiss believes it’s a worthy cause. “They go to great lengths to help animals and pet owners who might be struggling,” she noted. Since Püs, she has now adopted five animals from the Humane Society of Chittenden County, all of which became beloved members of her family. Volunteer Vanessa Zerillo agrees. “HSCC goes above and beyond,” she said. “The people there recognize every animal’s uniqueness and work really hard to match adopters with the best fit.” 125 Years of Animal Welfare The facility on Kindness Court in South Burlington serves as the central location for all of the organization’s work, which extends beyond sheltering animals and making adoption matches. Directly inside the front door is an animal food pantry where pet owners can pick up supplies for free, donated by the community or purchased by HSCC. Farther inside, there is a medical clinic providing spay and neuter surgeries. There’s also a large multipurpose room, where the organization holds classes and events. The room also serves as the central location for Camp Paw Paw, a popular summer camp started in 2008 that teaches kids about animal care and welfare. HSCC has come a long way since its founding in 1901. Back then, residents of St. Albans responded to a case of animal cruelty in which a horse was severely beaten. The incident caused people in Vermont to realize that there was a need for an organization to protect the welfare of animals locally. Clymer Street then and now (courtesy photos) Three months after that incident in St. Albans, 20 people gathered in Burlington to form the Humane Society of Chittenden County. One of the first elected officers was John Fuller, whose garage on Clymer Street functioned as the organization’s first location. Since then, the group’s efforts have grown exponentially, from the garage to a larger facility built by June and Herb Davis in South Burlington in 1961; the couple are considered the organization’s modern-day founders. After outgrowing that facility, the organization built another in 2002. The need for its services only continues to grow. According to executive director Jess Wilson, the organization is poised to launch a capital campaign in the next few years to expand the current building. Community Care The Humane Society of Chittenden County was started by a small group of community members who volunteered their time to help animals, and despite how much the organization has grown since, volunteer efforts continue to be essential. In 2025, volunteers donated 8,129 hours of labor, doing everything from cleaning animal enclosures to working community events for the shelter. They even do laundry. Zerillo began helping out with the organization after her dog passed away. She was “completely grief-stricken” and was having a hard time moving forward. “My husband suggested that doing some volunteer work might help me get out of this state,” she said. Zerillo’s not afraid to get her hands dirty volunteering. She visits the shelter twice a week and feeds the animals, does laundry and washes dishes. “Whatever needs to be done,” she clarified. She’s staffed a table at more events than she can count. Zerillo has stayed involved as a volunteer and donor for nearly 30 years because of the organization’s mission. “I love animals, but it’s more than that,” she said. “I strongly believe in what they do, not just to help animals but to help owners, too. Supporting them is a no-brainer.” Happy, Healthy Lives In addition to the hundreds of animals that find new homes every year through the Humane Society of Chittenden County, the organization highly prioritizes what is called “surrender prevention” — keeping animals from being brought to the shelter to begin with. “That’s why our work spaying and neutering pets is so important,” Wilson said. “When we address unwanted overpopulation, we’re preventing more animals from finding their way to our doorstep.” The organization provided these services for more than 2,100 animals in 2025. In addition to the surgery clinic at the South Burlington shelter, the organization also operates the Community Pet Clinic in the Old North End, which offers wellness exams and vaccines. Many of HSCC medical services are subsidized for low-income pet owners thanks to support from donors and grants — more than $53,000 in veterinary care grants were awarded in 2025 alone. “It really goes to the heart of HSCC, because if we can keep an animal in a loving home, that’s a win,” Wilson said. The organization has many other surrender prevention efforts, such as the Spay the Mom program, which takes in pregnant animals, cares for them in foster homes and finds homes for the babies. Then the mother returns to her original owner after her free spay surgery. Additionally, the organization works with local service providers such as Howard Center or Steps to End Domestic Violence to provide temporary, emergency housing for the pets of clients experiencing domestic violence, struggling with substance use or other issues. These programs require significant resources. While HSCC brings in revenue from adoptions and the Community Pet Clinic, more than 65 percent of its budget comes from grants and the generosity of the local community. The organization is celebrating 125 years of service with both a party and a fundraiser to recognize the achievements of the past and plan for the future. “The reality is, the needs of our community continue to outpace our capacity,” Wilson said. “We have set a goal to raise $125,000 at this year’s benefit in honor of our 125th birthday and to help support our lifesaving work.”  Best Friends Benefit On May 29, the Humane Society of Chittenden County will host its annual Best Friends Benefit at the Farmhouse at the Essex Resort Spa, sponsored by the Pomerleau Foundation. There will be a silent auction, cocktails and live music from the Grippo Funk Band. All proceeds fund the organization’s vital programs. Tickets are priced on a sliding scale. Purchase them on the Humane Society’s website at hsccvt.org. Imogen’s Story Sometimes letting go is the hardest and kindest decision. In October 2025, the HSCC team assisted a community member with the voluntary surrender of 28 cats, ranging from 2 months to 16 years old. This person adored her cats, but due to economic hardship she was unable to get them proper medical care, including spay and neuter surgery. Fortunately, she realized that she needed help, and Humane Society staff transported all 28 cats to the shelter. They immediately received medical attention and were given safe places to stay and healthy meals while they waited for new homes. Imogen was the last adopted, this past January, because she needed extra time to regain her health. Her medical care was generously covered by the Jess Cares Fund. Established to honor Jessica Pomerleau-Halnon, the fund helps cover the special medical needs of animals awaiting adoption. “I am extraordinarily grateful to HSCC for the extensive care and rehabilitation that preceded her adoption,” said Imogen’s adopter, Rachel Miles. “She is now the picture of health and the closest to perfect a cat could ever get.” The post Humane Society of Chittenden County Celebrates 125 Years of Commitment to Pets and People appeared first on Seven Days. ...read more read less