Berkshire Humane Society

Berkshire Humane Society
Non-Profit
Founded 1992 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Headquarters 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201
301 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, Massachusetts 01230
Key people
 John Perreault, Executive Director
Cheryl Truskowski, Shelter Manager
Website berkshirehumane.org

The Berkshire Humane Society (BHS) is a private non-profit humane organization in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Founded in 1992, BHS is an open admissions shelter and has cared for over 43,000 animals.[1] The humane society operates animal welfare services and pet adoption facilities in Pittsfield and Great Barrington.

History

Berkshire Humane Society circa 1994

The Berkshire Humane Society began operations in 1993 at the site of a former MSPCA-Angell shelter in Pittsfield.[2] Work began on a new facility in 2001, and the following year BHS moved from its original location to a 25,000 square foot facility.[3]

In the early 2000s the Berkshire Humane Society reported a 62% adoption rate, above the national average of 20% adoption.[4] One decade later, the humane society reported success in re-homing 100% of its adoptable dogs and cats.[5]

In 2010, BHS established Purradise, an adoption center for cats, in Great Barrington. The shelter houses up to 15 cats at a time.[6]

Services

Berkshire Humane Society's principal services are animal rescue,[7] veterinary care of sick and injured animals, adoption services,[8] spay and neuter services, microchipping, therapy dog training,[9] and obedience training. A full-time staff is employed. Foster care is available for intake animals who need rehabilitation.

The humane society's community services include a pet food bank, which serves about 700 pet owners in the region annually.[10] Since 1992, BHS has offered an animal welfare-focused humane education camp for elementary school-aged children and a classroom education program.[11]

Fundraising events

The humane society does not receive funds from local, state, or federal sources, and is funded privately through donations, bequests, and memberships.[12] Fundraising events include the Humane Race, a 5K charity run,[13] Woofstock, a pet walk,[14] and annual galas.[15] The humane society also operates Catwalk, a non-profit charity resale boutique staffed by BHS volunteers.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "About Us". Berkshire Humane Society. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  2. ↑ Stafford, Scott (October 14, 2012). "Berkshire Human Society their pet project for 20 years". Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  3. ↑ "Berkshire Humane society breaks ground on Barker Road". iBerkshires. November 1, 2001. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  4. ↑ Berger, J. Peter (November 4, 2004). "The cat, the dog and the bird-in-the-hand: adopting special pets". Berkshires Week. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  5. ↑ Gentile, Derek (January 1, 2014). "Job No. 1 for Berkshire Humane Society: Find home for pets". Bennington Banner. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  6. ↑ Stafford, Scott (May 6, 2010). "New digs are the cat's pajamas". Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  7. ↑ McKeever, Andy (October 24, 2013). "31 Dogs Rescued From North Adams Property". iBerkshires. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  8. ↑ Lindsay, Dick (December 19, 2013). "Humane Society's '100 Cats for Christmas' a big success". Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  9. ↑ Lahr, Ellen G. (Mar 11, 1998). "PATIENT'S BEST FRIEND DOG HAS CALMING EFFECT AT PITTSFIELD THERAPY SESSIONS". Globe Newspaper Company, Inc.
  10. ↑ De la Matter, Benning W. (December 18, 2006). "Service collects, gives out pet food to those in need". Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  11. ↑ Smith, Jenn (July 27, 2010). "Program gives kids pointers on how to care for their pets". Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  12. ↑ "Funding". Berkshire Humane Society. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  13. ↑ Stafford, Scott (May 2, 2013). "Humane Race, fundraiser for Berkshire Humane Society, to step off Saturday". Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  14. ↑ Lindsay, Dick (June 28, 2015). "Weather dampens Berkshire Humane Society's Woofstock". Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  15. ↑ Todd, Sarah (October 22, 2012). "Applaws for 20 Years of the Berkshire Humane Society". Rural Intelligence. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  16. ↑ Gentile, Derek (September 4, 2014). "The purr-fect fundraiser for the Berkshire Humane Society". Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved 26 June 2015.

External links

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