4/26/12  Pittsfield, MA… Prepare to be delighted, dumbfounded, and most of all dazzled as Berkshire Humane Society presents “Dazzle Dogs” on May 20th at the Masonic Temple, 116 South St. in Pittsfield. The group of performing dogs consists of three Corgis, an Australian shepherd, a retriever, and a Border collie, each dancing around, flying through agility obstacles, and performing hilarious stunts that will delight a crowd of all ages. The performance kicks off at 12pm and is preceded by a hearty pancake breakfast from 8-11 am. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children 8 and under. Price includes the breakfast and show or just come to the show for $10.00. All proceeds go to benefit Berkshire Humane Society’s Woofstock “Bark in the Park” event scheduled for this September 16th. Tickets can be bought at Berkshire Humane Society on Barker Road in Pittsfield or at Pretty Paws on Tyler Street. For questions call Diane at 413-447-7878 ext. 31.

Downtown Williamstown is gearing up for Cinco de Mayo day, Saturday May 5th, when runners, walkers and their dogs gather together for a tail wagging event. The Tenth Annual Humane Race will unite hundreds of people and their pets for a 5 K run or 1 mile walk through the picturesque college town. Along the meandering route volunteers will cheerfully encourage the pounding feet and paws onward as they navigate the course to the finish line, where the festivities begin. A schedule of events follows:

*Early registration begins at 8:30 AM at 16 Water Street

*Children’s book reading at 9:00 AM at Water Street Books

*Race commences at 10:00 AM from in front of theBrowns on Spring Street

*The race event ends about at 12:00 PM at the Municipal Parking Lot on Spring Street.

*Dogs are free

The race begins with all participants receiving goody bags filled with yummy treats and treasures for themselves and their pooches like doggie bandanas. The first 150 registered runners/walkers will receive a commemorative Cinco de Mayo tee shirt, displaying a playful pup on the front. The running pack includes solo runners and dogs with their owners. If that’s too tough for you, join the leisure walking groups being escorted by their best friends.

Proudly, the runners will cross the finish line panting and sweaty to cheering fans, live music performed by the Williams Octet (A Capella group), and delicious treats to eat. Their four legged friends will choose a different path and head for the doggie watering hole and swimming pool. Once cooled down, the participants come together for prizes galore. One favorite is the owner/dog lookalike contest.

Another highly anticipated prize is the Ipad 2. To qualify all you have to do is raise $500.00 or more in pledges. You don’t even have to run the race. If your name is drawn you could be heading home with a brand new Apple.

Over the years the Humane Race has raised more than $100,000.00 for the Berkshire Humane Society. “It is events like this which allow us to rescue and place hundreds of animals in loving homes” said the BHS director John Perreault. “This has become such a great tradition for families and friends and dog lovers alike.”

Ten years ago, Alix and Brian Cabral organized the Humane Race in Williamstown Massachusetts. It has evolved over the years to become a celebrated event. Many local sponsors including Greylock Animal Hospital and Donovan & O’Connor, volunteers and participants come together in support of the Berkshire Humane Society. For more information, course map or to register visit www.humanerace.org or to contact Alix or Brian Cabral, e-mail them at info@humanerace.org or call (413)441-3677.

April 23, 2012, Pittsfield, MA…The Berkshire Humane Society held an event on April 12th for the almost 180 volunteers that help the shelter with its mission to assure the compassionate care, treatment and whenever possible the placement of homeless animals through the shelter operation and to promote and improve the welfare of all animals through community education and outreach. The staff prepared a wide variety of food for the occasion, to show the volunteers just how much they mean to shelter. John Perreault, Executive Director, said to the many volunteers in attendance, “You are the Heart and Soul of this organization”, he went on to add, “Without all of you, we would not be able to help the thousands of animals that come through our doors”.

The evening included the presentation of the Lynn West Volunteer of the Year award to Elinor Hamill of Gt. Barrington, for her dedication to the care of the felines at both the main shelter on Barker road in Pittsfield and at Purradise in Gt. Barrington. Elinor also spends many hours assisting with the frequent mailings at the shelter and helps at fundraising events. Upon receiving the coveted award, Elinor admitted that she was stunned and honored to be chosen as the recipient. The volunteer of the year is chosen by BHS staff members; the award is named after Lynn West, a founding member of the Berkshire Humane Society, and an active volunteer and board member for over ten years.

In addition to the food, the volunteers were presented a keychain with the group’s logo and the Heart & Soul acknowledgement. Volunteers fulfill many of the day to day operations at the shelter, including walking dogs four times a day, cleaning & feeding of cats, front desk reception, mailings and event staff. The volunteers from the newly opened Purradise Feline Adoption Center in Gt. Barrington also participated in the celebration. The Berkshire Humane Society is a private non-profit organization and is not affiliated with the Sonsini Shelter in Pittsfield, MA, nor does it receive municipal funding. BHS depends on the generosity of the public to continue its work and mission throughout Berkshire County.

(04/04/12)Pittsfield, MA… The Berkshire Humane Society is now accepting registrations for Camp Humane, their children’s summer educational program. The camp runs for five separate weeks, starting July 9th through August 10th with each week dedicated to a specific age group. The camp provides children from grades 3-8 the opportunity to have hands-on exposure to shelter animals and outside animals as well as the chance to participate in exciting craft projects, listen to professional animal-related speakers, and participate in agility demonstrations.

“It’s the perfect mix of presentations, animals, and fun; all while we learn about compassion and caring for pets,” says Camp Director, Karen Karlberg. “Every week we have a professional presenter scheduled, including Wingmasters with birds of prey, Zoo-on-the-Go, and Animal World Experience with a variety of exotic pets.” Among other activities, campers get to wash a dog, paint a portrait of a live animal, and create their own camp T-shirts. Each camp session runs Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm and campers bring their own lunch, snack, and beverages. Camp tuition is $260 per child or $250 per child if more than one sibling attends camp. The deadline for camp registration is June 1st. Scholarships and reduced tuitions requests must also be submitted by June 1st on a separate form. Camp forms are available by clicking here (Requires Adobe Reader, camp application and instructions – 5 pages)

For the Berkshire Humane Society April 5th

Patrons of Arizona Pizza in Lee will not only enjoy great food from 4 PM until closing, but they will also be Giving Back to the Berkshire Humane Society whether they dine in or take out. Owner Rob Trask wanted to help BHS since the organization had made such a positive impact on his daughter, Sienna, when she held her birthday party at the Barker Road Shelter in January of this year. Sienna has been raising money for the shelter animals by selling handmade bookmarkers; she has raised $85 and donated another $50 of her own money to the homeless animals. Trask says she still wants to do more, so he decided to let her setup a “Dining to Donate Night” at his restaurant, Arizona Pizza, on Park Street in Lee. They plan to donate 15% of sales that evening, both dine-in and take-out, to the Berkshire Humane Society. Sienna also plans to sell more bookmarkers and possible establish a raffle that evening as well.

March 8, 2012, Pittsfield, MA…The Berkshire Humane Society’s Annual Lasagna Dinner will be held on Thursday March 29th from 5 until 7 PM. Once again, the event will be held at Crissey Farm Berkshire Banquet House, the banquet facility located next to the Brewery in the Jenifer House Commons at 426 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12 and is payable at the door. Both meat and vegetarian lasagna will be served, along with garlic bread and a salad. All proceeds will go to Purradise.

The event patrons will have a chance to help the homeless pets at the Berkshire Humane Society shelter and Purradise Cat Adoption Center that evening by participating in selective raffles and a chance to shop at the Purradise Boutique table. Items up-for-grabs include assorted wines, clothing, and dinners out at area restaurants. The annual lasagna event is an opportunity to meet fellow animal lovers catch up on all the exciting doings at the Berkshire Humane Society in Pittsfield and at Purradise in Great Barrington and a chance to view cats available for adoption on the big screen while enjoying great food.

Congratulations to the Winners of Our 2012 Cook-Off

Samel’s Deli, Pittsfield – Restaurant Category
Tom Morandi, Stamford, Vermont – Home Chef

and a sincere thank you to our other participants

Restaurants:

Café Reva
Halprin’s Grub & Grog
Matt Reilly’s

Home Chefs:

Don Ahrens
Patrick Bucier & Michelle McNeil
Tracy Cahalan
Joan Fields
Kathleen Hakes
Bill Johnson
Al Kazura

The Chili Cookoff Committee wishes to thank and recognize Different Drummer’s Kitchen, Peace Train Tees, Whorlees, and all of our taste-testers who supported the event!

January 25, 2012 Pittsfield MA… The Berkshire Humane Society will be distributing vouchers for spay/neuter surgeries in honor of “Prevent a Litter Month” starting February 1st, 2012. The Spay/Neuter vouchers are now funded from the Mass RMV branch, selling animal friendly license plates to help cats, dogs, and rabbits in Massachusetts. The program is made possible by the Mass. Animal Coalition, a non-profit organization that facilitates collaboration among those who work in animal welfare.

“With the $6,000 grant from the MAC, we can help twice as many people this year than we could before,” stated John Perreault, Executive Director of BHS. “In the past we’ve helped over 3,000 families spay and neuter their pets and with the economy, more people than ever are coming to us for help.” According to BHS feline supervisor, Cheryl Truskowski, overpopulation because of owners not spaying and neutering their animals is a huge problem. Getting a pet fixed not only prevents population increase, but it also lowers aggression levels and constant peeing and marking of territory.

Eligible pet owners can come to the shelter at 214 Barker Road in Pittsfield or Purradise, cat adoption center at 301 Stockbridge Road in Gt. Barrington during normal business hours. The requirements are a valid license/ID and proof of residence in Berkshire County. Pet owners MUST be in financial need to receive the voucher. Recipients are responsible for making the surgery appointment at a participating veterinary hospital, and must pay the balance of the cost of surgery after the voucher has been applied. The vouchers have no cash value, with BHS reimbursing the veterinary hospitals directly for the surgery; $60 towards a feline spay/neuter surgery and $75 for a canine surgery. The vouchers are helpful to pet owners who cannot afford to spay and neuter their cats and dogs and are available on a first come basis until the funds are gone.

January 11, 2012 Pittsfield, MA…The Berkshire Humane Society is inviting both restaurants and the general public to participate in the first “Best Dog-Gone Chili Cook-off” to be held on Sunday, February 12th from 12 to 2 p.m. at Patterson Field House at Berkshire Community College on outer West St. in Pittsfield. The Best Dog-Gone Chili Cook-off will be held in conjunction with the annual “Not Your Average Dog Show” (entry form) also on February 12 at the Patterson Field House at BCC.

Registration is free for all those wishing to compete. There will be categories for both professional and amateur chili chefs, as they vie for a chance to win a top prize and a feature article in “Humane Tails” the BHS newsletter. To enter download the entry form for professional or home chef or stop by the shelter at 214 Barker Rd. in Pittsfield or Pretty Paws on Tyler St. in Pittsfield for an entry form.  View the contest guidelines here.

Entry forms must be submitted by February 9th. All types of chili may be entered in the contest, including vegetarian. This is a great opportunity for all chefs who want to show- off their chili recipes. For any questions, please contact Kathy Kazura, at Pretty Paws, 413-443-0191.

Tickets are $5.00 for those who want to sample and cast their vote for the “Best Dog Gone Chili” on the day of the event, Feb 12th, at BCC.

November 1, 2011, Pittsfield, MA… The Berkshire Humane Society’s television show: Purr, Wag, Adopt has won the “Annie Award” presented by Bernard Avalle, Director of PCTV, at their annual meeting this past August. The Purr, Wag, Adopt show is produced by BHS volunteers and staff. Nine episodes have aired since the show began in February of 2011.

The shows are hosted by Executive Director of the Shelter, John Perreault, and have featured various guests in the animal profession, such as local veterinarians Dr. Michelle Looney and Dr. John Reynolds discussing pet wellness care and senior pet needs; Humane Race Chairwoman Alix Cabral; and Dave Di Nicola, who started the “Strong in Spirit Motorcycle” fundraiser. Also featured in a show was DART member Corrine Mckeown explaining animal disaster preparedness, and Sergeant Joe Chague, Pittsfield Animal Control Officer, talking about pet safety. Each show also showcases pets available for adoption at the Shelter on 214 Barker Road in Pittsfield and at Purradise at 301 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington.

The show is seen on local cable channel 16 on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and is repeated on Wednesdays at 4:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Copies of each episode are sent to North Berkshire TV Corporation for viewing on their channel and to CTSB in Lee for South County viewers. The “Annie Award” is presented to a member organization for outstanding achievement or contribution that has positively impacted the community through the use of television programming, while advancing the mission of the organization. The original award was given to Ann Moran Cassuccelli, of the Berkshire United Way, for her advancement of the agency through PCTV programing, hence the name “Annie Award”.