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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]

References

  1. ^ "About Us". Berkshire Humane Society. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  2. ^ Stafford, Scott (October 14, 2012). "Berkshire Human Society their pet project for 20 years". Berkshire Eagle. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  3. ^ "Berkshire Humane society breaks ground on Barker Road". iBerkshires. November 1, 2001. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  4. ^ Stafford, Scott (May 6, 2010). "New digs are the cat's pajamas". Berkshire Eagle. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  5. ^ McKeever, Andy (October 24, 2013). "31 Dogs Rescued From North Adams Property". iBerkshires. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  6. ^ Lindsay, Dick (December 19, 2013). "Humane Society's '100 Cats for Christmas' a big success". Berkshire Eagle. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  7. ^ Lahr, Ellen G. (Mar 11, 1998). "PATIENT'S BEST FRIEND DOG HAS CALMING EFFECT AT PITTSFIELD THERAPY SESSIONS". Globe Newspaper Company, Inc.
  8. ^ De la Matter, Benning W. (December 18, 2006). "Service collects, gives out pet food to those in need". Berkshire Eagle. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  9. ^ Smith, Jenn (July 27, 2010). "Program gives kids pointers on how to care for their pets". Berkshire Eagle. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  10. ^ "Funding". Berkshire Humane Society. Archived from the original on 20 May 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  11. ^ Stafford, Scott (May 2, 2013). "Humane Race, fundraiser for Berkshire Humane Society, to step off Saturday". Berkshire Eagle. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
  12. ^ Lindsay, Dick (June 28, 2015). "Weather dampens Berkshire Humane Society's Woofstock". Berkshire Eagle. Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  13. ^ Todd, Sarah (October 22, 2012). "Applaws for 20 Years of the Berkshire Humane Society". Rural Intelligence. Archived from the original on 6 September 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  14. ^ Gentile, Derek (September 4, 2014). "The purr-fect fundraiser for the Berkshire Humane Society". Berkshire Eagle. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
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