Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Animal Shelter & Veterinary Clinic in South Burlington, VT
Founded in 1901, the Humane Society of Chittenden County (HSCC) has dedicated over a century to strengthening the bond between people and pets. Our mission centers on ensuring every pet finds a loving home while providing essential resources to pet owners in need. With expertise in animal welfare, we offer adoption services, low-cost veterinary care, spay/neuter programs, and humane education initiatives. Our 12,000-square-foot facility in South Burlington, VT, serves as a hub for animal care, sheltering over 1,400 animals annually. We prioritize surrender prevention through community outreach, medical assistance, and behavioral support.Our team combines decades of experience with a commitment to transparency, compassion, and high-quality care. As an independent 501(c)3 organization, we rely on community generosity to sustain our programs. Our authority in animal welfare is reinforced by partnerships across Vermont and regional collaborations. Trust is built through clear communication, ethical practices, and measurable outcomes, including lifesaving grants like the Rainy Day Fund. We remain a cornerstone of animal advocacy, education, and community support in Chittenden and Grand Isle Counties.
Services
Pet Adoption
Spay/Neuter Services
Wellness Clinic
Foster Care Programs
Humane Education
Details
- Year established: 1901
Highlights and features
- 100+ years of experience in animal welfare since 1901
- Low-cost veterinary clinic serving underserved populations
- Comprehensive spay/neuter programs reducing pet overpopulation
- Foster care network for medical recovery and socialization
- Award-winning humane education initiatives for all ages
What people say
Lifesaving care
Affordable vet services
Dedicated staff
Excellent education programs
Compassionate adoptions
Services
Pet Adoption
HSCC provides comprehensive pet adoption services for cats, dogs, and small animals. Each adoption includes spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchipping, and veterinary exams. Our staff ensures proper matching between pets and families while offering post-adoption support. Special programs include senior-to-senior adoptions and discounted fees for older animals.
Wellness Clinic
The Community Pet Clinic offers affordable veterinary services including vaccinations, wellness exams, and preventive care. Income-based pricing tiers ensure accessibility for low-income families. Services address routine medical needs while providing referrals for complex cases. The clinic operates five days weekly at two locations in Burlington and South Burlington.
Spay/Neuter Services
HSCC operates a dedicated spay/neuter clinic for owned cats and dogs. Services include surgical sterilization, pre-surgical exams, and post-operative care. Financial assistance programs like Kira's Fund and The Irving and Phyllis Fund support low-income pet owners. The clinic also offers Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) services for feral cats.
Foster Care Program
Our foster network provides temporary homes for orphaned, injured, or undersocialized animals. Foster families receive training, medical supplies, and behavioral support. The program includes medical recovery fosters, kitten socialization, and short-term care for pets during owner crises. Volunteers receive 24/7 emergency support and veterinary guidance.
Humane Education
HSCC delivers age-appropriate humane education through Camp Paw Paw, Animal Welfare Warriors, and community workshops. Programs teach pet care, animal safety, and career exploration while fostering empathy in youth. Adult seminars cover topics like animal behavior, first aid, and cruelty prevention, promoting community awareness and responsible pet ownership.
People
Emily Hecker
Director of Development
Emily Hecker leads HSCC's fundraising initiatives, managing donor relations and grant acquisitions. With extensive nonprofit experience, she ensures financial sustainability through strategic development programs and community partnerships.
Ella V
Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator
Ella V coordinates HSCC's volunteer programs and community outreach. She manages over 1,000 volunteers annually and develops educational partnerships while overseeing the organization's humane education initiatives and public engagement strategies.
Dana
Programs Coordinator
Dana manages HSCC's foster care programs, supporting both animals and volunteer caregivers. She coordinates medical transports, training sessions, and fosters-to-animal matching while maintaining the organization's lifesaving animal welfare protocols.
Questions
What adoption services do you offer?
We provide cat, dog, and small animal adoptions with comprehensive medical care included. Each adoption includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping, and veterinary exams, with special programs for senior pets and owners.
Do you offer low-cost veterinary care?
Our Community Pet Clinic provides income-based pricing for wellness exams, vaccinations, and preventive care. Services operate at two locations with flexible pricing tiers determined by household income.
How can I volunteer?
Volunteers must commit six months minimum, complete an application, and attend orientation. Opportunities include animal care, events, and administrative support with specific requirements for dog-handling roles.
What foster programs exist?
Our foster network supports medical recovery, kitten socialization, and emergency pet housing. Volunteers receive training, medical supplies, and 24/7 support while caring for animals needing special attention.
Do you accept stray animals?
We accept owned animals by appointment and stray cats, but not stray dogs. Found dogs should be reported to local animal control. Emergency intake options exist for urgent medical cases.
What education programs are available?
HSCC offers Camp Paw Paw for children, Animal Welfare Warriors for teens, and adult seminars covering pet care, behavior, and cruelty prevention through hands-on learning and community workshops.
Reviews (6)
Jasmine
Jun 01, 2022
Report
As someone who worked in other Vermont Humane societies I have to say this one is the worst. (Obviously saving animals is amazing) But they make the adoption process really difficult and charge more than most places. They'll keep you on a wait list for years and never call you when the pet you want is available, so you really have to keep visiting, otherwise you likely won't find a pet. They also make it really difficult to bring in rescued pets.
I found a kitten a while back and they said they were ready but it ended up taking 3 hours and I had to fill out paperwork which made me feel guilty for even trying to save the kitten I found. It was so uncomfortable that the next time I found kittens I drove to a different Humane society for help. One pro is that they were really nice to me about fostering. It was something I wanted to try during the pandemic and the process was really smooth.
And when unfortunately I couldn't follow through they were quick about taking the animal back and finding a new foster, without judgement. That seems like a really great opportunity for people with appropriate time and space.
I found a kitten a while back and they said they were ready but it ended up taking 3 hours and I had to fill out paperwork which made me feel guilty for even trying to save the kitten I found. It was so uncomfortable that the next time I found kittens I drove to a different Humane society for help. One pro is that they were really nice to me about fostering. It was something I wanted to try during the pandemic and the process was really smooth.
And when unfortunately I couldn't follow through they were quick about taking the animal back and finding a new foster, without judgement. That seems like a really great opportunity for people with appropriate time and space.
Aiden Diamond
May 14, 2022
Report
Awesome, friendly and accommodating staff! Their Good Neighbour program is a wonderful safe haven for those is temporary tough spots!
Drake Chamberlin
Apr 26, 2022
Report
Nice staff. Good environment for doing volunteer work (from experience). Plenty of cats and dogs when I was there. All seemed well for the animals.
Justin Highet
Apr 10, 2022
Report
Everyone there is VERY helpful and friendly! We were asked to foster a pup. Ended up adopting 3 weeks later! Here's Bailey just over a month later.
Rita Noel
Mar 29, 2022
Report
I got my kitten from here 5 weeks ago. He had an unfortunate history and did not want to be bothered by any of us. He did not meet the profile I had originally filed and I was reminded of that and shown another kitten. She was beautiful and loving. I'm sure she would have made a wonderful pet. Nevertheless, he and I took to one another. He allowed me to fuss over him and he stole my heart. I brought him home. He has adjusted beautifully. I made the right choice!
Gi Grape
Mar 17, 2022
Report
My granddaughter wants to have her cat neutered and she kept trying to call during their open hours but just got a recording saying to leave a message. they never called her back so she gave up on them! I've dealt with them in the past and they are all cold hearted!
