New Humane Society Center to Open

Weston Today photos

A “leash-cutting” ceremony on Thursday evening celebrated a new Connecticut Humane Society Resource Center in Wilton, which should open to the public in the next few weeks, starting with a gradual launch on an appointment-only basis.

An open house with guided tours and a look behind the scenes takes place on Saturday, August 30 from noon to 2:00 at the new center, located at 863 Danbury Road, Wilton.

A few finishing touches remain for the CHS facility, a modern 14,581 square foot building on 18 acres featuring both a shelter and a low-cost veterinary clinic, the first of its kind in Fairfield County.

From left to right: Wilton First Selectwoman Toni Boucher, CHS Vice President Gretchen Dale, CHS President Ellen Sharon, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, State Sen. Ceci Maher, State Reps. Lucy Dathan, Jonathan Steinberg, Savet Constantine, and Kenneth Gucker.

CHS President Ellen Sharon said the new center is designed to provide “safety, care, and love to pets in need and support for families who have opened their homes and hearts to adopt.”

The center replaces the Humane Society’s shelter that has existed in Westport since the 1950s. James Bias, the organization’s executive director, said the board of directors recognized the need for a new facility 10 years ago and began exploring options. The Wilton property was purchased in 2020.

All in, costs to build the center came in at over $17.5 million. The Connecticut Humane Society, an independent nonprofit chartered in 1881, raised over $15 million from private contributions. Another $3.5 million came from the sale of the Westport location in July. (The organization receives no taxpayer funding.)

Mr. Bias emphasized that the clinic is not an emergency pet hospital. It is intended to diagnose and treat pets at the shelter and provide minor medical care, low-cost spaying, neutering, and vaccinations, especially when the costs of medical care force pet owners to consider surrender.

The center also has a pet food pantry, another part of the aim to, as Ms. Sharon put it, “prevent the root causes of surrender, keep families together, and leave space in shelters for pets that are truly homeless.”

The building has two entrances, one for the clinic, the other for adoption get-acquainted meetings and an education room. Outside, the property features a play area, walking trails, and gardens.

The leash-cutting

A large group of donors and volunteers attended the dedication along with Senator Richard Blumenthal, State Senator Ceci Maher, State Representatives Lucy Dathan, Savet Constantine, Ken Gucker and Jonathan Steinberg, and Wilton First Selectwoman Toni Boucher.

In a closing toast, Mr. Bias said, “today we open a door to healing, to hope, and to a better life for every animal who walks through. Here’s to compassion, community and countless wagging tails ahead.”

Ms. Sharon

CHS VP Gretchen Dale

Mr. Bias

Senator Blumenthal

Senator Maher