Funding for the vouchers is from a grant by the Hamm Trust Fund. A canine voucher will be worth $100 and a feline or rabbit voucher will be for $75 towards the cost of the surgery. This year, pet owners will have 60 days to make an appointment with a participating veterinarian hospital. 

 

BHS will directly reimburse the veterinarian for the amount of the voucher once the surgery has been performed. After the voucher has been applied to the surgery bill, the pet owner is responsible for the remaining amount and any additional costs the veterinarian may have to include. There is no cash value associated with the vouchers and the limit is two per pet owner. Once those have been used, the owner can obtain another voucher if there are any funds still available.  Vouchers are on a first-come first-serve basis until the funds are gone.

 

"We’ve helped over 3,200 families spay and neuter their pets since starting this program over 10 years ago," said John Perreault, executive director of BHS. "We have had pet owners calling since early January to see if BHS will have funds available again this year."

 

Eligible pet owners are asked to bring a valid photo ID to the Pittsfield shelter at 214 Barker Road during its normal hours of operation — Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Thursday evenings 5-8 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m. Pet owners can also stop by Purradise, BHS's cat-adoption center at 301 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington on Wednesday through Friday, noon - 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 - 4 p.m. and Sunday noon - 4 p.m.

 

For more information about the Spay/Neuter program at BHS visit the website at www.berkshirehumane.org and on Facebook.