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."