People mingled with animals and participated in activities the afternoon of Saturday, June 4, as the second annual Catherine's Butterfly Party was in full swing on the Fairfield Hills campus.

Tents were set up, presentations were made and dogs walked around on leashes with owners, handlers or volunteers.

Catherine, one of the victims of 12/14, loved all animals, and according to the foundation, she asked for a birthday party every year to bring all of her favorite animals together.

To carry on her legacy of providing a safe haven for animals, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation is raising funds to build The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, which will be on property deeded to the foundation by Governor Malloy in September 2014. Located at the end of Old Farm Road, the sanctuary will eventually provide rescue and adoptive services for dogs, cats, rabbits and other companion animals, farm animal refuge, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, according to the foundation.

Catherine's parents, Jenny and Matt Hubbard, estimated more people were in attendance this year for Catherine's Butterfly Party than the previous year. Blue Buffalo Pet Food was the lead sponsor for the party.

"We really hope the day gives people a glimpse of what to expect from the sanctuary," said Ms Hubbard, just a couple of hours into the Saturday event.

Ms Hubbard said the layout for Catherine's Butterfly Party was designed to give people a sense of learning compassion, empathy and how to care for animals on one side of the event, while the other half was taken up by all the adoptable animals there for the day.

Mr Hubbard said it was great to see people gathering together.

The day, Ms Hubbard said, was a true portrayal of Catherine's legacy and a way to share what she loved with those in attendance.

Catherine's Butterfly Party was free to attend and it hosted many organizations with pets available for adoption.

According to Stephanie Mattera, a volunteer and animal lover, one dog that was adopted at last year's event attended this year with his family to share their "adoption story."

Activities included face painting, games and crafts, with food trucks and vendors on site, as well.

Nature-inspired educational exhibits included Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory, Animal Embassy, dog agility and training demonstrations, representatives from Audubon Center at Bent of the River, a Connecticut State Trooper K-9 demonstration and Birds of Prey program by Horizon Wings.

Animal groups attending included ASPCA, North Shore Animal League, DAWS, Gimme Shelter Animal Rescue, BeFreegle, Super Paws Rescue, Adopt-A-Dog, Animals R Family, Second Chance, ARF Mobile, Baybrook Rescue and Rowanwood Farms.

All proceeds from Catherine's Butterfly Party benefited the creation of The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary.

For more information about the Catherine Violent Hubbard Foundation, visit cvhfoundation.org. Contact the foundation to learn more about adopting any of the animals that took part in Catherine's Butterfly Party.