Berkshire Humane Society Explained

Berkshire Humane Society
Type:Non-Profit
Foundation:1992
Location:214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201
301 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, Massachusetts 01230
Key People:John Perreault, Executive Director
Cheryl Truskowski, Shelter Manager
Homepage: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.[1] The humane society operates animal welfare services and pet adoption facilities in Pittsfield and Great Barrington.

History

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 2010, BHS established Purradise, an adoption center for cats, in Great Barrington. The shelter houses up to 15 cats at a time.[4]

Services

Berkshire Humane Society's principal services are animal rescue,[5] veterinary care of sick and injured animals, adoption services,[6] spay and neuter services, microchipping, therapy dog training,[7] 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.[8] Since 1992, BHS has offered an animal welfare-focused humane education camp for elementary school-aged children and a classroom education program.[9]

Fundraising events

The humane society does not receive funds from local, state, or federal sources, and is funded privately through donations, bequests, and memberships.[10] Fundraising events have included the Humane Race, a 5K charity run,[11] Woofstock, a pet walk,[12] and annual galas.[13] The humane society also operates Catwalk, a non-profit charity resale boutique staffed by BHS volunteers.[14]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About Us. Berkshire Humane Society. June 26, 2015. May 20, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150520220834/http://berkshirehumane.org/about-us/. live.
  2. News: Stafford. Scott. Berkshire Human Society their pet project for 20 years. 29 June 2015. Berkshire Eagle. October 14, 2012. 23 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183830/http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_21769115/berkshire-human-society-their-pet-project-20-years. live.
  3. News: Berkshire Humane society breaks ground on Barker Road. 29 June 2015. iBerkshires. November 1, 2001. 24 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924032145/http://www.iberkshires.com/story/3131/Berkshire-Humane-society-breaks-ground-on-Barker-Road.html?ss_id=1776. live.
  4. News: Stafford. Scott. New digs are the cat's pajamas. 26 June 2015. Berkshire Eagle. May 6, 2010. 23 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923184013/http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_15027431. live.
  5. News: McKeever. Andy. 31 Dogs Rescued From North Adams Property. 29 June 2015. iBerkshires. October 24, 2013. 24 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924032200/http://www.iberkshires.com/story/44990/31-Dogs-Rescued-From-North-Adams-Property.html. live.
  6. News: Lindsay. Dick. Humane Society's '100 Cats for Christmas' a big success. 29 June 2015. Berkshire Eagle. December 19, 2013. 23 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923184017/http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_24754745/humane-societys-100-cats-christmas-big-success. live.
  7. News: Lahr. Ellen G.. PATIENT'S BEST FRIEND DOG HAS CALMING EFFECT AT PITTSFIELD THERAPY SESSIONS. Globe Newspaper Company, Inc.. Mar 11, 1998.
  8. News: De la Matter. Benning W.. Service collects, gives out pet food to those in need. 29 June 2015. Berkshire Eagle. December 18, 2006. 23 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183949/http://www.berkshireeagle.com/headlines/ci_4859364. live.
  9. News: Smith. Jenn. Program gives kids pointers on how to care for their pets. 29 June 2015. Berkshire Eagle. July 27, 2010. 23 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183748/http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_15609225. live.
  10. Web site: Funding. Berkshire Humane Society. 26 June 2015. 20 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150520192123/http://berkshirehumane.org/about-us/funding/. live.
  11. News: Stafford. Scott. Humane Race, fundraiser for Berkshire Humane Society, to step off Saturday. 26 June 2015. Berkshire Eagle. May 2, 2013. 23 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923183906/http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_23157350/11th-annual-humane-race-fundraiser-berkshire-humane-society. live.
  12. News: Lindsay. Dick. Weather dampens Berkshire Humane Society's Woofstock. 29 June 2015. Berkshire Eagle. June 28, 2015. 11 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150811014155/http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_28398077/weather-dampens-berkshire-humane-societys-woofstock. live.
  13. News: Todd. Sarah. Applaws for 20 Years of the Berkshire Humane Society. 29 June 2015. Rural Intelligence. October 22, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20150906203442/http://ruralintelligence.com/index.php/parties_section/parties_articles_parties/berkshire_humane_society. 6 September 2015. dead.
  14. News: Gentile. Derek. The purr-fect fundraiser for the Berkshire Humane Society. 26 June 2015. Berkshire Eagle. September 4, 2014. 23 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923184031/http://www.berkshireeagle.com/local/ci_26464350/purr-fect-fundraiser-berkshire-humane-society. live.