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.

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 Paterson 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 Paterson Field House at BCC.

• All types of chili may be entered in the contest, including vegetarian

• Entry forms are available at www.berkshirehumane.org

The shelter at 214 Barker Rd. and Pretty Paws on Tyler St. in Pittsfield

• For more information or any questions, please contact Kathy Kazura, at Pretty Paws, 413-443-0191 or Diane at 413-447-7878 ext 31.

Contest Entry Guidelines:

• Registration is free for Professional & Amateur Home cooks

• Chili contest will officially run from noon through 2:00 p.m.

• Participants can arrive after 11:00 am. We ask that you are ready by 11:30 am.

• Participants should bring 3 gallons of chili in order to provide for enough samples.

• BHS will supply sample cups. Should you want samples to be served with/in something (ex: tortilla chip), that is the responsibility of the participant.

• Chili can be served from chafing pans; sterno will heat. No electricity will be available.

• Contestants are asked to describe their chili in one sentence. This will be included in the program and at their station the day of the event. You are welcome to display promotional materials for your restaurant at the table.

• Chili Contest Entry forms must be return by February 9th to: Berkshire Humane Society

Attn: Chili Cook-off, 214 Barker Road Pittsfield, MA 01201

Contest Voting Rules

• Tickets are $5.00 for those who want to sample and cast their vote for the “Best Dog Gone Chili”

• Tickets will be available the day of the event. An identifying band will be given to those who have paid the tasting fee.

• Individuals will receive tickets to vote for their choice(s). Additional tickets can be purchased.

• All profits benefit Berkshire Humane Society’s Woofstock event.

• Winners will be decided in both the professional (restaurant) and home chef categories.

• Prizes will be awarded at the completion of the Chili Contest.

• Winners will also be featured in an upcoming issue of “Humane Tales” the BHS newsletter.

This is a Kid-Agility timed course, where children will race through an obstacle course looking to finish with the fastest time.

• Agility Equipment will include weave polls, tunnels, table and jump

• Child age Groups would be for 4-6 year olds and 7-8 year olds

• $2.00 registration fee, all proceeds go to our spay/neuter fund

• Registration forms available at BHS and day of the event

• BHS will award our own prizes for top finishers

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”.

With Free Adoptions for Military Personnel

November 3, 2011 Pittsfield, MA…The Berkshire Humane Society Shelter will offer free pet adoptions November 10th through the 13th for all retired and active military service personnel. “Shelter Executive Director, John Perreault, said, “We wanted to do something special for those who protect our county and thought extending a free adoption to a veteran or serviceman would be a great way to honor the day and their service.” All participants must still meet adoption qualifications to receive the free adoption rate from Thursday through Sunday. Those military personnel interested in adopting a cat or dog from the shelter at 214 Barker Road in Pittsfield or at Purradise on 301 Stockbridge Road in Gt. Barrington, are asked to bring a DD214, a VA Medical Card or a Military ID to present to the staff at the time of the adoption application. The Barker Road Shelter is opened on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday & Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. The Purradise cat adoption center is open on Thursday and Friday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for this special offer. There are many dogs and cats waiting for forever loving homes that these American heroes can provide and BHS wants to help bring them together to celebrate Veteran’s Day.

October 28, 2011, Pittsfield, MA … The Berkshire Humane Society Horse Show has been rescheduled to Sunday November 6th at Overmeade Farm, 940 East Street, Lenox. The event was postponed due to Hurricane Irene. The 19th annual event begins at 9 a.m. rain or shine. Spectators are invited to come and watch area riders compete in the day-long event. The horse show is recognized by the Western Massachusetts Professional Horseman’s Association (WNEPHA) and includes competitions for all levels of riding. All proceeds will benefit the animals at the Berkshire Humane Society Shelter. The annual event has raised over $150,000 in the past 18 years for homeless pets. If you would like to be a horse show sponsor, or receive information, please contact Berkshire Humane Society at (413) 447-7878.

October 28, 2011 Pittsfield, MA …November has been designated as “Adopt a Senior Pet Month” and to celebrate, The Berkshire Humane Society will reduce the adoption fee to $50 for all senior pets at the shelter on Barker Road and at Purradise Cat Adoption Center in Gt. Barrington. A senior pet is a canine seven years and older and a feline six years and older. John Perreault, Executive Director of the Berkshire Humane Society stated that, “We have some great older cats and dogs at the shelter and the staff wanted to celebrate National Adopt a Senior Pet month by making it easier to adopt these often overlooked animals.” BHS is also conducting a raffle for a $40 Gift Certificate to Pretty Paws on Tyler Street in Pittsfield. All senior pets adopted at BHS and Purradise during November will have their names entered in the raffle.

“We are always looking for ways to bring potential adopters to BHS for their next pet, and with the reduced adoption fee of $50, we hope to give them an added incentive to adopt an animal from a shelter,” added Perreault. The adoption fee includes the spay/neutering surgery, micro-chipping of the animal and much more.

Puppies and Kittens are adorable and adopted out fast, but there are many loving older pets that need “retirement homes” to call their own. Other reasons to adopt an older pet are that senior pets are normally already housetrained; dogs will know how to ask to be let outside when they need to go, and cats will know how to use their litter boxes. Also with a senior pet what you see is what you get; you know how big your pet’s going to be, how he/she looks, and how active he/she is. Senior cats and dogs are mellower and tend to have better house manners.

October 7, 2011 Pittsfield, MA … The Berkshire Humane Society is celebrating National Adopt-a-Dog Month with a chance to win a special Canine Gift Basket and 20% off any canine merchandise at the shelter.  Each dog adopted during the month of October will be entered in the raffle. The Canine Services Manager, Lisa Corbett, says “A dog can be a constant companion through good times and bad, an adoring face to greet you after a hard day at work or a warm body next to you on the sofa or a jogging buddy on cool mornings.  We currently have a great variety of different ages, personalities and breeds to choose from.  The canine staff will assist potential adopters to find the best match for their family.”  For anyone who already has a dog; consider adding another one to your family. Or donate to help other dogs get the loving care and homes they need so much.

Dogs can give you what you need, and during Adopt-A-Dog Month® you can give a homeless dog what it needs: You.   The shelter is open Tuesday through Saturday 10am -4pm, Sunday 1pm – 4pm and Thursday evenings an additional 5-8pm.  The phone number for the canine area is 413-447-7878 ext. 26.  Available dogs can also be viewed on the website: www.berkshirehumnae.org/adoption/dogs.  Fees for adopting a dog start at $150, this includes, spaying or neutering, micro-chipping, and vaccinations.