The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary (CVH Animal Sanctuary) announced on June 3 it will partner with the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) to symbolically rename the Monarch Butterfly the “Catherine Butterfly” for one day, June 8, 2024, in honor of Catherine Violet Hubbard, one of the children who lost their lives at Sandy Hook Elementary on 12/14. June 8 marks what would have been Catherine’s 18th birthday.

“It’s hard to believe Catherine would have been 18 this year,” said Jenny Hubbard, president of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary and Catherine’s mother. “Catherine’s unwavering empathy and kindness — even for the smallest of creatures — continues to inspire us all.

“We’re thankful to the North American Butterfly Association for helping us remember Catherine in this way. As we celebrate Catherine, we hope that the renaming of the Monarch butterfly on her birthday can bring us all together and help spread Catherine’s message of kindness.”

The CVH Animal Sanctuary was created to commemorate and honor Catherine’s life and reflect her passion and love for animals. Butterflies were one of Catherine’s favorite creatures, which served as the inspiration behind the symbolic renaming of the Monarch Butterfly. The CVH Animal Sanctuary includes a NABA Certified Monarch Garden, committed to creating, conserving and protecting Monarch habitats.

“We could not be more excited to partner with the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary in honor of Catherine’s birthday and to continue our efforts to protect Monarchs, and all butterflies and their habitats. Throughout human history, many peoples have believed that butterflies are the repositories of human souls. How fitting it is then, that we continue Catherine’s work of showing kindness toward animals, including butterflies, reminding everyone that if we can save butterflies, we can save ourselves,” said NABA Founder and President Dr Jeffrey Glassberg.

In addition to its Monarch Garden, the sanctuary has educated more than 150,000 people, found forever homes for more than 800 animals, and provided free veterinary support and pet food to the animals of 450 financially insecure senior pet owners.

Since 2013, Tracy-Locke, leading commerce and communications agency, has partnered with the CVH Animal Sanctuary pro-bono, helping the organization further Catherine’s message of kindness to the world and raise support for the Sanctuary. Tracy-Locke’s work is rooted in compelling people to open their hearts to the meaningful cause of the CVH Animal Sanctuary.

“With roots in the Connecticut community, we’re proud to be a part of this meaningful moment remembering Catherine Violet Hubbard and her kindness,” said Phil Camarota, chief creative officer at Tracy-Locke. “The concept to rename the butterfly was inspired by the story of Catherine, where she experienced a Monarch butterfly landing on her finger and whispered to it “tell your friends that I am kind,” so the butterfly would let other animals know that she would treat them with love and kindness. We could not imagine a more authentic manifestation of Catherine’s legacy of love and empathy.”

Catherine’s Butterfly Party

The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary will host its annual Catherine’s Butterfly Party on Saturday, June 8, 12 to 4 pm, at Fairfield Hills, to honor Catherine’s birthday and her love of animals. There will be a ceremony marking the butterfly renaming as well as an official United States Congressional Citation presented at 1:15.

Additionally, the free family festival will include a celebration of kindness, hundreds of adoptable pets from over 29 rescue organizations, animal ambassador exhibits, educational exhibits, K-9 demonstrations, face painting, crafts and more.

Dozens of prizes will be raffled, from local experiences and fine dining to pampering treats and more.

Admission to Catherine’s Butterfly Party is free.

Additional information about the event and CVH Animal Sanctuary is available at cvhfoundation.org.