Pet Food Pantry Available to Help During Trying Times

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Humane Society has a Pet Food Bank available to cat and dog owners in Berkshire County who are struggling financially.
 
Pet food is available at the Dr. John Reynolds Adoption and Education Center at 214 Barker Road in Pittsfield, Purradise Feline Adoption and Boarding facility at 301 Stockbridge Road or through the Meals on Wheels program run by Elder Services of Berkshire County. 
 
Call Berkshire Humane Society's Pet Food Bank Coordinator Jessica Cunningham, 413- 447-7878 extension 127 to sign up.
 
"With SNAP benefits threatened, more people out of work, and winter coming, we remind pet lovers in Berkshire County that we're here to help," said Cunningham. "No one should have to choose between taking care of themselves and taking care of their pet."
 
At least two weeks of dry pet food per month is available per pet for people who sign up for the program and more assistance is available for those on public assistance. Canned food, treats and cat litter may also be available, depending on supplies. Pet Food Bank recipients also have access to low-cost spay and neuter surgeries through Berkshire Humane Society's Wellness Clinic on Dalton Avenue. When receiving pet food assistance, participants in the program agree not to add any new pets to their family.
 
Each person signing up for the Pet Food Bank receives assistance for six months and can reapply after that if they still need help.
 
"The need is only increasing," said Cunningham. In fiscal year 2025 we saw a dramatic 180 percent increase in Pet Food Bank requests, to about 6,500!  Last week the pantry disbursed more than 1,000 pounds of pet food and since July 1st, more than 10,000 pounds."
 
A private foundation and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank are generous sponsors of Berkshire Humane Society's Pet Food Bank, which is also supported by individual donations. "We always accept donations of unexpired food," said Cunningham. "Right now, we really need donations of canned dog food." Donated food goes to the Pet Food Bank; shelter pets are not in need as Berkshire Humane Society has an agreement with Hill's Science Diet to feed shelter animals.
 
Berkshire Humane Society's Pet Food Bank is one of many programs the nonprofit animal welfare organization has to keep animals in homes and out of the shelter. People receiving help from the Pet Food Bank greatly appreciate the help. For example, Erin from Pittsfield wrote to Berkshire Humane Society about the help she and her boyfriend received to feed their two dogs after she lost a good job during the pandemic, "My pups come first, so we went without until we heard through a friend about [Berkshire Humane Society]. They help with hard and soft food, treats on occasion and sometimes they have people that donate toys. Without all these donations, my family would be struggling more than we are. When I get reestablished, I intend on giving back, too. It's amazing how far one donation can go. So, if you have it in your heart, please give back, but only if you can. So much love for all the donations and for the local [Berkshire Humane Society]!"

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Companion Corner: Princess at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There is an energetic girl waiting to find her new home at the Berkshire Humane Society.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.  

Princess is a six year old shepherd mix that has been at the shelter for just over a month.

Canine caregiver and adoption counselor Simone Olivieri told us about Princess.

"She's very social, very friendly. When you're out walking her, she just wants to go say hi to every single new person. Loves to make new friends. She's a lot of fun. She's very active. She's very spunky. She's very playful, and she's going to need a very very active family who's going to do a lot with her." 

But Princess is no stranger to the shelter. She was a puppy five years ago and got adopted quickly, but now she needs a new family to take care of her.

"She was adopted out fairly quickly as a young puppy. She's been in the same home for the past five years. Unfortunately, they were moving out of state somewhere," Olivieri said. "They could not take her with them, so she ended up coming as a return to shelter, and she came back to stay with us."

Princess needs to go to a home as the only animal or with other male dogs that are her size or bigger.

"Her perfect home would be kids eight and up. No cats. No small animals. She has quite a prey drive. She could go to a home with another dog around her size or larger, preferably a male dog. She does a little bit better with male dogs, and she's looking for a home where people are home quite a bit, so that she's not left alone for too long. She has some separation anxiety," Olivieri said. 

She also needs a very active home that can let her use her energy every day, as she is very rambunctious. Especially with playing with her favorite toy, the flirt pole.

"She could use a home where people are going to give her a lot of attention and more than just a few walks a day; she's going to need lots of exercise, lots of playtime, lots of mental stimulation," Olivieri said. "She likes to learn, so someone who would be willing to take her to training classes or work on some training with her, as well as hikes, getting out and about, doing new things, different things. She is very athletic. She'd excel at things like agility, some dog sports. Just someone who is really going to want to engage and do a lot of different kinds of activities with her." 

Once you let her get her energy out, she is a cuddler who wouldn't mind being held like a baby from time to time.

"She's very sweet. She's very cuddly. She's very affectionate, but she is not a couch potato. She will stay on that couch with you for a little bit, and then she's ready to go off and do something else. So she's very busy. She's very active," Olivieri said. "Once all of her exercise needs are met during the day, she will settle down nicely, and she will want to be right by your side, cuddle with you at night on the couch, sleep with you."

Princess is very healthy but does experience some anxiety and is not fully potty trained and might have the occasional accident.

"She does have a little bit of anxiety, so she is on some medication for it right now," Olivieri said. "So a lot of structure, a lot of outlets, and familiarity, getting used to a new routine and everything is gonna be really good for her. I mean, she's just lovely. Like I said, she's very social. She likes to play with other dogs. She likes to meet new people."

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