Berkshire Humane Society Receives $120K in Grants to Help Pets, People

11:05AM / Wednesday, June 10, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Humane Society has received more than $120,000 to fund "life-changing programs" helping companion animals and pet owners in and around the Berkshires.

The amount is in addition to a $150,000 PetSmart Charities Accelerator Grant announced earlier this year to help expand low-cost veterinary care at the organization's Wellness Clinic, the only nonprofit veterinary clinic in Berkshire County.

"As a nonprofit organization dependent on donations from generous benefactors, we're grateful and humbled to receive these grants on behalf of vulnerable animals and people in our area," said John Perreault, executive director of Berkshire Humane Society. "Because of the relentless need for our services, we're glad to stretch our donors' dollars to serve our community. These grants are validation that others see the important work we're doing and want to help."

Two grants, a $10,000 award from the Massachusetts Animal Coalition License Plate Grant program and a $95,000 award from the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, a supporting organization of the Northwest CT Community Foundation, are to subsidize spay and neuter surgeries for pets and unowned cats. Priority for the surgeries, performed at the Wellness Clinic, goes to families in financial distress, especially recipients of Berkshire Humane Society's Pet Food Bank. The Wiederhold Foundation grant also funds pet health examinations, bloodwork testing, treatment of severe dental disease and free vaccine and microchip clinics throughout the county.

The Lee Bank Foundation awarded $5,000 to fund Berkshire Humane Society's SafePet Program. Designed to temporarily board pets of people in crisis, this program helps patients and clients of partnering organizations such as Berkshire Health Systems, the Brien Center, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Elder Services of Berkshire County and Elder Protective Services in Berkshire County.

Children's educational programming was supported by a $5,500 award from the Charles H. Hall Foundation. This grant helps teach students from Reid Middle School's Innovation Program the importance of compassion for and proper care of animals. Berkshire Humane Society provides transportation and lunches for the students, who come to the shelter for hands-on animal welfare learning, projects and guest speakers.

Finally, Pittsfield Cooperative Bank awarded a charitable contribution of $5,000 to support the Pet Food Bank, which fills more than 7,000 requests annually to help feed dogs and cats of families facing financial difficulties.

"A donation to Berkshire Humane Society stays in the community to help animals thrive and keep families, including their furry members, together," added Perreault. "Thank you to all those who support our mission of compassionate care for all."

Tags: Berkshire Humane Society,

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires.com
11:59AM / Sunday, August 02, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back more than 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted, 4-2, to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

“I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference,” committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

“The city could have used for that difference over the next three years.”

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has vocally supported the independent audit for years, said the city doesn’t have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, “We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional and are looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is.”

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have comparable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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