The CVH Animal Sanctuary teamed up with the North American Butterfly Association on Saturday to temporarily change the name of the monarch butterfly.

The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary was created by Catherine’s mother, Jenny Hubbard, to honor Catherine and to spread her message. The sanctuary’s mission is to promote compassion and acceptance by honoring the bond between animals, humans, and the environment they live in.

It was at the 8th Annual Catherine’s Butterfly Party that Jenny was able to announce the official name change from the monarch butterfly to the “Catherine Butterfly.”

“For me, the name change is just a really special reminder of the kindness of so many people but also Catherine’s gentle spirit and her love of all animals,” she said.

The monarch butterfly was of course not picked at random. In fact, it had a special meaning to Jenny. She reminisced that one of her favorite memories with Catherine was of her being mesmerized by the butterflies and even imparting one with a message to tell its friends.

“During the course of the day, she’d send it off at night and she would ask it to tell its friends that she was kind,” said Jenny. “In her mind, she envisioned this butterfly going back to a house with lots of other butterflies and telling them that she was a good person.”

The significance and gentleness of the butterfly is what stuck with Hubbard and during the ceremony, she was able to share that with the community of Newtown. In front of those who attended, State Senator Tony Hwang read the official congressional proclamation from Governor Ned Lamont “recognizing the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation and the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary for its great work and effort in serving as a beacon of fostering empathy, nurturing understanding, and promoting harmonious coexistence among all beings.”

After reading more about the creation of the CVH Animal Sanctuary, Hwang read the end of the citation which officially recognized the symbolic name change of the monarch butterfly to Catherine Butterfly for one day on June 8, 2024, which would have been her 18th birthday.

Along with the citation from Lamont, the sanctuary also received a special message before the event from US Senator Richard Blumenthal.

“The majesty of butterflies and the natural connection has always made an impact on me and the monarch butterfly, “said Blumenthal.

Director of Events and Programs of CVH Animal Sanctuary Laura King, who was responsible for helping organize the whole event, was especially honored to witness the name change.

“Absolute goosebumps. There’s no other word. No other description,” King said. “To have the monarch butterfly symbolically changed for one day to the Catherine Butterfly, I mean, what a beautiful birthday gift for her 18th.”

The unique 8th butterfly party offered a chance for Catherine’s loved ones and the community of Newtown to celebrate her life and the legacy of compassion that she and the sanctuary have instilled in thousands of people nationwide. The event brought in thousands of people, including more than 31 animal rescue organizations with over 200 animals, and with over 150 animals adopted last year the sanctuary hopes to double that amount this year.

For more information on Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, visit their website, cvhfoundation.org/about/.

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Intern Jack Kobrock may be reached through editor@thebee.com.