Thank you for your interest in learning more about the Connecticut Humane Society, one of Connecticut's oldest and largest non-profit agencies.

Please help us utilize our staff hours as efficiently as possible.  Take a moment to read our FAQ's.  If you do not find the answer you are looking for here, please fill out our Contact Us form and we'll get back to you.   

How do I adopt a pet?  Can you tell me more about the pets through email or over the phone?  Can I put a pet on "hold" before coming to the shelter?

Can I adopt a pet as a gift for someone else?

Can you help me find a new home for my pet?  How can I bring my pet in for adoption?

Do you take stray animals?  Do you trap cats?

Do you have time limits for the animals?  Are you a "no-Kill" organization?

How do I become a volunteer?  Do you take volunteers that are under 18 years old?

What is the difference between CT Humane and Animal Control?  How do I report animal cruelty and neglect?

Can I contact CT Humane with a wildlife complaint or concern?

Is the CT Humane Society a State agency?  Does the CT Humane Society receive any funding through tax dollars?  How IS the CT Humane Society funded?

How can I made a donation to help the animals?

Is the CT Humane Society a "chapter" of any national groups like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or the American Humane Association (AHA)?

Where are you located?

Do you offer dog training classes?

Can I obtain cost effective veterinary care for my pet through your organization?



How do I adopt a pet?  Can you tell me more about the pets through email or over the phone?  Can I put a pet on "hold" before coming to the shelter?
We encourage people to use the pet information on our website as a basic tool to initiate the search for a new companion.  If you see a pet you are interested in adopting we ask that you visit the shelter in order to see the animals face to face and to meet with our skilled adoption staff.  Selecting a family companion is a very personal choice and cannot be conducted based upon viewing a picture or having a telephone/email conversation.  Consequently, we are not able to place pets on hold.  Instead, browse the adoptable pet section of our website AND visit as often as possible in order to find the perfect companion for your lifestyle.  Find out more about how to adopt at CT Humane...Adoption Information 
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Can I adopt a pet as a gift for someone else?
No, selecting a companion animal is a personal, lifestyle decision that is best made by the individual(s) who will be the primary caretakers and family for the pet.  If you are interested in facilitating the adoption and/or paying the minimum adoption donation for a friend or family member, we urge you to consider one of two things:  1. Visit the shelter as a group or 2. purchase a gift certificate.  Locations 
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Can you help me find a new home for my pet?  How can I bring my pet in for adoption? 
Yes, the CT Humane Society does accept pets for adoption from the community.  We understand that sometimes, people have no alternative available as they have exhausted all their other resources.  We are able to handle some "walk-ins" but our ability to do so is based on available cage space.  In order to avoid being inconvenienced and to allow us to assist you in the most effective and efficient way possible, we encourage you to call the CT Humane shelter that is closest to your home and schedule an appointment to surrender your pet for adoption.  For more detailed information on our animal surrender services...Animal Surrender Information 
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Do you take stray animals?  Do you trap cats?
According to the law, Animal Control has the legal jurisdiction and responsibility to handle calls for stray animals within their communities.  Dogs are required to be licensed within their town of residence.  If you find a stray dog we encourage you to contact the Animal Control dept. in the town where you have found the dog as that office stands the best chance of finding the pet's rightful owner.  If you find a stray cat or other species of domestic animal, in accordance with the law, your first call should also be to the local Animal Control office. The Society does not trap cats or pick up trapped cats.
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Do you have time limits for the animals?  Are you a "no-Kill" organization?
The CT Humane Society does not have time limits for adoption.  On average, our organization places 80% or more of the animals that come through our doors.  We do not label ourselves as a "no-kill" but will work with an animal as long as it takes to find their forever home.  The limited amount of euthanasia that takes place is reserved for the pets that suffer from medical or behavioral conditions that are beyond treatment and render the pet unable to be placed with a family.  Euthanasia of pets will occur only after a good faith effort has been made to place the animal with another rescue group specializing in placing pets that are not adoptable through the Connecticut Humane Society program.
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How do I become a volunteer?  Do you take volunteers that are under 18 years old?
The CT Humane Society has an outstanding volunteer program with over 450 participants that assist all three of our full-service shelter locations.  We are very grateful for the generosity of both our adult and youth communities.  Volunteers must be 18 years old to participate in most of our volunteer programs.  The Foster Care and Pet Therapy programs are suitable for family volunteer experiences.  Office assistance and Kindness Club are suitable programs for teens, 16 years of age or older.  Finally, we encourage young people to consider organizing a supply drive to collect items from our wish list OR an event like a bake sale to raise funds.  These "off-site" volunteer activities are very important to helping our organization serve the animals that come through our doors every day.  To learn more visit... Volunteer 
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What is the difference between CT Humane and Animal Control?  How do I report animal cruelty and neglect?
The CT Humane Society is a private, non-profit agency that works with owner-surrendered animals.  Animal Control Offices are part of the town's municipal government and budget.  Their personnel are responsible for picking up stray animals, enforcing animal control and cruelty laws and investigating all reports of cruelty and neglect.  Pets that are picked up by animal control are kept for a period of time specified by law while attempts are made to locate the owner.  Animal control offices are funded by state tax dollars and your town's municipal budget.  If you have found a stray animal OR you need to report a case of animal cruelty/neglect, please contact the Animal Control office in the town where the situation has occurred. 
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Can I contact CT Humane with a wildlife complaint or concern?
The Connecticut Humane Society works exclusively with companion animals.  For concerns about nuisance wildlife please contact the Dept. of Environmental Protection at 860-424-3000.  For general wildlife concerns please contact the Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association at 203-389-4411.
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Is the CT Humane Society a State agency?  Does the CT Humane Society receive any funding through tax dollars?  How IS the CT Humane Society funded?
Incorporated in 1881, the Society has been (and remains) a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization.  We do not receive any funding through state or federal tax dollars.  The Society is supported through minimum donations for services rendered, private donations and grants.
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How can I made a donation to help the animals?
The CT Humane Society welcomes donations of any size to help us continue our mission.  We are very thankful for financial support as well as supply collections.  Working together, we can all make a difference.
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Is the CT Humane Society a "chapter" of any national groups like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or the American Humane Association (AHA)?
There is a misconception that all "humane societies" operate under the umbrella of and/or receive funding from one of these national groups.  While we are all working towards the common goal of a better world for animals, all "humane societies" and independent animal rescue groups are privately owned and operated.  The CT Humane Society is not affiliated with, and does not receive funding from, other animal welfare groups. 
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Where are you located?
The Society operates three full service shelter locations in Newington, Waterford and Westport, a satellite adoption center for cats at the New London PetSmart store, and Companion Animal Sanctuaries in Waterford and Westport. 
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Do you offer dog training classes?
Yes, the CT Humane Society offers a comprehensive selection of classes designed to strengthen your relationship with your canine.  Our classes use positive reinforcement training methodology and focus on correcting common behavior problems.  Additionally, we offer behavior consultation services as well.  Dog Training 
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Can I obtain cost effective veterinary care for my pet through your organization?
The Fox Memorial Clinic is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the CT Humane Society and operates out of the Newington location.  It has, as one of it's missions, the ability to serve people in financial need with quality medical treatment for their pets.  The Clinic offers a full range of services including general wellness programs, spay/neuter services, vaccine clinics and diagnostics.  The Clinic is NOT an emergency facility.  In the best interests of the pets who are faced with an immediate need for care, Fox asks that people contact the "Pet ER" closest to their home if faced with an emergency.  Fox services are available by appointment.
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