PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Humane Society has waived adoption fees of dogs who are at least one year old from Monday through Sunday this week. 

 

The promotion, called "Mass-Saves," is the first event of a statewide coalition led by MSPCA-Angell. Other shelters in the coalition funded by Best Friends Animal Society include Worcester Animal Rescue League, Boston Animal Control, Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center and Dakin Humane Society. The shelters will work together to improve and save lives of animals.

 

"Shelters throughout the country are experiencing an influx of dogs who are not being adopted right away, taxing the capacity of shelters to care for them," said John Perreault, executive director of Berkshire Humane Society. "We're no different. Due to the economy, we're receiving dogs with medical needs that need to be treated and dogs who need extra attention to address behavioral issues. 

 

"We have many good dogs in the shelter, but it takes resources and time to find them a home. That's why I'm excited to join this statewide team of organizations to address this issue."

 

"The issues facing animal welfare right now are daunting, to say the least," said 

 

Mike Keiley, vice president of animal protection at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell, said, "one of the most pervasive issues we're experiencing, and that's the dog population crisis." According to Keiley, a large and increasing number of homeless dogs need specialized help from behavior experts to adjust to shelter life long enough to find their adoptive homes.

 

"A lot of those dogs really struggle in shelters," Keily explained. "Given that recruiting qualified behavior personnel is just as hard as recruiting veterinary staff, most shelters aren't able to address this challenge alone, and, without that help, it may not be possible to rehome the animals." 

 

As part of the coalition, MSPCA-Angell will establish a behavior outreach role to work directly with animals at other shelters while also helping coalition members learn effective remedies they can use on their own.

 

Berkshire Humane Society's participation in the coalition will focus on the areas of dog behavior, medical needs and adoptions.

 

"I'm looking forward to working with other leaders in the animal welfare field to see what great things we can accomplish together for the sake of animals," Perreault said.