The Humane Society of Chittenden County, founded in 1901, is one of Vermont's oldest and most prominent animal welfare groups, marking 125 years in 2026. From its South Burlington campus on Kindness Court it runs adoption, a community pet clinic, a pet food shelf, and a pet helpline, all without government funding. Here is how its services work.
Founded in 1901, the Humane Society of Chittenden County is among Vermont's oldest animal welfare groups and is marking 125 years in 2026. It is a private nonprofit that receives no city, state, or federal funding, relying instead on donations and adoptions, and it takes in 800 to 1,200 animals a year.
It moved into its current building, on a road named Kindness Court, in 2002. Beyond adoption, it focuses on keeping pets in their homes through a community clinic, a pet food shelf, and a behavior helpline.
Adoption fees are published and tiered by age, with Seniors for Seniors discounts for adopters 60 and older. Each adoption includes spay or neuter, a microchip with registration, vaccines, an FeLV and FIV test for cats, a heartworm test and preventative for dogs, flea and tick treatment, deworming, and a general health exam.
| Animal | Adoption fee |
|---|---|
| Kitten, under 1 year | $250 |
| Adult cat, 1 to 6 years | $175 |
| Senior cat, 7 and older | $85 |
| Puppy, under 1 year | $450 |
| Adult dog, 1 to 6 years | $350 |
| Senior dog, 7 and older | $200 |
| Rabbit | $50 |
| Guinea pig | $40 |
Adoption is walk-in, with no appointment needed; cats and small animals use a profile form and in-person meet, while dogs add an application and counseling session. The shelter is open Tuesday and Wednesday 1 to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 1 to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Community Pet Clinic provides spay and neuter and wellness care, a pet food shelf in the lobby is open to the public, and a pet helpline offers behavior and care advice; the organization also runs surrender-prevention and rehoming support to keep pets in their homes.
Volunteers must be 16 or older, and foster homes care for pregnant animals, recovering pets, and high-stress shelter animals, with food and supplies provided. The Humane Society of Chittenden County holds a three-star rating from Charity Navigator with an 85 percent score, and its EIN is 03-0193150.
Dogs, cats, and small animals from the South Burlington campus.
Spay and neuter and wellness care for the public.
Free pet food in the lobby for owners in need.
Behavior and care advice to keep pets in homes.
Rehoming and retention support for owners.
Homes for pregnant, recovering, and high-stress animals.
Sources: Humane Society of Chittenden County (hsccvt.org) adopt and resources pages; Seven Days on its 125th anniversary; Charity Navigator (EIN 03-0193150). Profiled because the backlog domain hsvermont.org is no longer active. Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Humane Society of Chittenden County and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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