Animal DREAMS, once a separate volunteer organization helping feral cats in Berkshire County, is now officially part of Berkshire Humane Society. Although the two nonprofits have joined to streamline shared administrative processes, it will still be business as usual for cats of Berkshire County.
Animal DREAMS will keep its focus on trap, neuter and return (TNR) of feral cats, now under the auspices of Berkshire Humane Society as its Community Cat Program. The program will continue to be led by Stacey Carver, the former executive director of Animal DREAMS, an all-volunteer organization. According to Carver, this efficiency will “help us focus more on TNR and gain more exposure for our activities such as our working cat program where cats not suitable for home life can help people control rodents in barns, warehouses and other places and businesses.”
Berkshire Humane Society’s feline staff will continue to focus on adoptions of friendly strays, including kittens born from feral cats. “This merger is the natural culmination of a great relationship between two like-minded organizations and the ultimate beneficiaries of it are our feline friends,” said John Perreault, Executive Director of Berkshire Humane Society.
Founded in 2001 to improve the lives and promote the humane care and acceptance of feral cats throughout Berkshire County and beyond, Animal DREAMS partnered with Berkshire Humane Society in 2014 to seek funding from grant sources for its TNR program. That year Animal DREAMS installed the Catty Shack on Berkshire Humane Society shelter grounds to temporarily house feral cats as they wait for or recover from spay or neuter surgeries, keeping them separate from shelter cats. In addition, Animal DREAMS was provided a desk in the shelter’s administrative office.
Supporters of both organizations were recently notified of finalization of the merger through letters or newsletters. Checks written to Animal DREAMS and donations intended for Animal DREAMS will continue to be accepted and directed to supporting TNR through the Community Cat program.