The Animal Center announced April 1 a separation from the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, a joint effort of The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation and the local animal rescue organization.

Catherine Violet Hubbard, the daughter of Jennifer and Matthew Hubbard, was one of 20 children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on 12/14.

Following the Sandy Hook tragedy, The Animal Center in Newtown was selected by Jennifer and Matthew Hubbard to receive donations made in their daughter Catherine’s memory as a way to honor her love for animals, according to the organization.

The influx of memorial contributions and gifts arriving from all over was much greater than the family anticipated. As a result, the Hubbard family together with The Animal Center made the decision in January 2013 to use these funds as the cornerstone for building The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary (CVHAS).

“The sanctuary will be a place where rescued, neglected animals can get a second chance,” Harmony Verna, vice president of The Animal Center, told The Newtown Bee, in February 2013. The Animal Center had at that time already received more than $200,000 in donations in memory of the 6-year-old animal lover.

Ms Verna said then, that as time goes by the plan would be to assess resources and staff to accommodate animals beyond dogs and cats, including farm animals, and even wild animals. The Animal Center regularly receives requests from area towns hoping that they can take in cats and dogs, but they do not have a space to do so.

All animals finding refuge through The Animal Center go to foster homes until they are placed. The goal for animals sheltered in the sanctuary, Ms Verna said, would remain as it has always has been for The Animal Center: that all adoptable animals would find a forever home.

On September 24, 2014, The State of Connecticut transferred just over 34 acres of land in Newtown, near Old Farm Road, to The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation, Inc, for the sanctuary.

As recently as October 2014, The Animal Center President Monica Roberto, Ms Verna, and Ms Hubbard walked the property and discussed with The Bee the mutual vision of a refuge for animals awaiting adoption, a learning center, a community garden, and a welcoming property providing outdoor access to trails and places of quiet contemplation.

“It has been an honor to help make what we believe have been meaningful and significant contribu-tions to the sanctuary’s overall plans for the past two years,” Ms Roberto said in the April 1 press release.

“It has been an unforgettable journey with many challenges and successes and we felt fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a voice for the animals. At this point, going forward The Animal Center will be separating from CVHAS so that we may continue to run our rescue, care, and adoption programs and continue to advocate for the compassion of animals,” she continued. “All funds that have been received by The Animal Center for Catherine’s sanctuary have been transferred to the CVH Foundation. We wish the foundation every success as they move forward with this project to honor Catherine.”

When contacted by The Newtown Bee, The Animal Center preferred to not comment as to whether the split was mutually agreed upon by that organization and CVHAS, or if a divergence of ideals and goals for the sanctuary was the impetus for the separation.

Jennifer Ingaro, a representative of the board of directors of The Animal Center, said on April 2, “While we may no longer be working in partnership with the foundation, we have tremendous respect for the sanctuary project as well as the privacy of the foundation.

“The Animal Center,” she added, “is a small organization with limited sources. There’s no question the sanctuary project diverted some attention away from our focus. Thankfully, we had key volunteers working nonstop helping animals so that we could continue our rescue efforts while working with the foundation to help build the sanctuary.”

“The Animal Center is incredibly proud to have helped so many animals in the past ten years and we look forward to serving the community in the decades to come as we strive to fulfill our mission to save lives, one animal at a time,” said Ms Roberto.

The Animal Center has helped more than 2,000 companion animals entirely through a volunteer foster network.

“We are grateful for the assistance The Animal Center provided in establishing plans for the sanctuary,” responded Jennifer Hubbard for the CVHAS. “Matt and I will always hold The Animal Center’s commitment and compassion after the events of 12/14 very close to our hearts. We wish The Animal Center continued success in the amazing work they do on behalf of the animals they rescue.”