PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Humane Society has received a $150,000 grant from PetSmart Charities to help more local pet families access affordable veterinary care.

 

A recent PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study revealed 52 percent of pet parents skipped or declined veterinary care, largely due to financial concerns. This funding will support Berkshire Humane Society's Wellness Clinic to address the three biggest barriers that face pet

owners in Berkshire County: cost, transportation, and availability. 

 

Berkshire Humane Society's Wellness clinic is committed to providing access to veterinary care by offering low-cost services for health exams, vaccinations, parasite screening, and prevention, along with affordable spay and neuter surgeries and dental care. 

 

Through this grant, Berkshire Humane Society will be adding more office hours, updating various equipment, and continuing to increase staff. This grant will also allow Berkshire Humane Society to increase spay and neuter surgeries by an

additional 10 to 15 percent.

 

"This grant will help us reach so many pet parents in this community who would otherwise not be able to provide basic medical care and wellness. Many times, the only option for pet parents is to surrender their beloved pet to a shelter. Berkshire Humane Society believes in keeping families together which includes their companion animals. Access to care should be available for everyone," said John Perreault, Berkshire Humane Society's Executive Director.

 

According to a press release, 50 million pets across the U.S. lack access to the veterinary care they need. In 2023, PetSmart Charities responded to that reality with a commitment of more than $100 million over five years to dismantle the financial, geographical, and logistical barriers standing between pets and care.

 

Through its Accelerator grant program, PetSmart Charities supports nonprofit and low-cost veterinary providers working to expand services and reach more families in need.

 

"Pets are family, and access to veterinary care is critical in ensuring they stay healthy and remain in their loving homes," said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. "When care is declined or skipped due to finances, small medical issues can become serious and far

more expensive. We are proud to partner with Berkshire Humane Society to help create practical, sustainable goals that meet the needs of their community."

 

Since the beginning of 2024 Berkshire Humane have helped close to 10,400 dogs and cats with flea/tick prevention,

puppy/kitten vaccines, bloodwork testing and more.

 

Thanks to funding from a generous donor, Perreault arranged to have four-year-old Lola spayed at the Wellness Clinic at no cost to Sheryl and her husband, Kylie.

 

"John set it up for me. I really appreciate it. It's awesome," Sheryl said about a donor making Lola's surgery possible. "When people don't have money, it's hard. You get a high electric bill, and you have nothing."

 

Lola is a special dog for Sheryl and Kylie. In 2011 they tragically lost their home, dogs Lucky and Brittany, cat Dakota, and nearly everything else in a house fire. They adopted another cat, named Gizmo, but "it took a long time to get a dog after that," said Sheryl. 

 

When a friend was moving and could not keep Lola, the couple took in the little blue Pitt Bull. 

 

"We are so glad we can help good people like Sheryl and Kylie take care of their dog," said Perreault. "They haven't had it easy and clearly want to do the best for Lola."