
Life can change in an instant. One minute everything is fine, and the next, a crisis turns the world upside down. Whether it’s the sudden loss of a job, an unexpected medical emergency, or housing instability, these life-altering events force families to make incredibly difficult decisions. One of the toughest decisions? What to do with their beloved pets.
Sadly, when families face these challenges, some feel they have no choice but to surrender their pets. The emotional toll of this decision is overwhelming, and often, it’s not a choice anyone wants to make. CT Humane Society believes that pets are more than just animals—they’re family. That’s why the new animal resource center opening in Wilton in the summer of 2025 will provide not just adoption services, but a comprehensive range of resources aimed at helping families stay Together Forever, no matter what life throws their way.
The Vision: Keeping Pets and Families Together
For families facing hardship, the new center will offer a wide range of services designed keep the family intact. From affordable veterinary care to crisis fostering, and pet food assistance to educational programs, this resource center will be a lifeline for families who need support to keep their pets during challenging times.
Picture this:
Sam and Beth are a young couple, living with their two kids and their loyal 9-year-old dog, Daisy. They live in a modest home in Connecticut, and like 45% of families in the state, they live paycheck to paycheck. Their monthly budget includes a mortgage, car payments, insurance, and other bills—leaving little room for unexpected expenses. One evening, while cuddling on the couch and watching TV, Beth notices something concerning: Daisy has developed a lump on her neck.
Immediately, a flood of questions fills their minds: Is it cancer? Will she need expensive treatment? How much will the tests cost? Where can we find the money to cover it?
For many families in similar situations, something like Daisy’s lump might lead to the heartbreaking decision to surrender a beloved pet due to the high cost of veterinary care. The thought of losing Daisy is almost too much to bear, but with no affordable options available, it seems like the only choice.
The Solution: The Animal Resource Center
Resources will be in place soon. With the opening of the animal resource center, families facing hard times will have access to all the resources they need to keep their pets at home. Thankfully, the Connecticut Humane Society’s animal resource center will be designed to prevent these painful decisions from being made in the first place with this simple goal: to keep pets and their families together, no matter the circumstances.

Opening in 2025, the animal resource center will provide a variety of critical services, including:
A Public Low-Cost Veterinary Clinic
Low-fee veterinary care will provide another option for families who are contemplating surrendering or euthanizing their pet. The clinic will provide accessible veterinary care. In addition to public medicine the clinic will also provide vital medical care for shelter pets as they prepare to find new homes.
Pet Food Pantry
No pet should ever go hungry, especially during times of financial strain. The pet food pantry at the Animal Resource Center will provide free pet food to families who need it. This service will ease the burden of buying pet food during tough times, allowing the pet owner to focus on getting back on their feet without worrying about whether their four legged family member will have enough to eat.
Crisis Fostering Services
Life can change quickly, and sometimes families need temporary help caring for their pets. CHS’ crisis fostering services will provide temporary pet care for families facing urgent life challenges. Whether it’s a health emergency, a housing crisis, or another situation, families can rest assured knowing their pets are safe and well cared for while they navigate through difficult times.
Humane Education
Sometimes, a little know-how can make all the difference. The center will offer humane education classes aimed at responsible pet ownership, pet behavior management, and training. These classes will help families strengthen relationships with their pets, address behavioral issues, and ultimately create more harmonious homes. By teaching responsible pet care, the center hopes to prevent situations where families feel they must give up their pets due to behavioral or financial challenges.
A Lifeline for Connecticut Families
For most families, pets are not just companions—they are family members who provide comfort, joy, and support. When a crisis strikes, the emotional bond between pets and their owners only deepens, making the thought of surrendering a pet all the more painful. But with the right resources and support, families can weather these challenges together, keeping pets in their homes where they belong.
The animal resource center in Wilton will be more than just a place for adoption—it will be a true community resource, dedicated to ensuring that pets stay with their families through thick and thin. Whether it’s through affordable veterinary care, emergency foster services, or simply providing food and education, the center will help ensure that pets don’t have to face the heart-wrenching decision of being given up.
The future of pet care and family support in Connecticut is bright, and with the opening of the animal resource center in 2025, families across the state will have the tools and resources they need to keep their pets—Together Forever.