Due to an influx of animals surrendered to Berkshire Humane Society, the animal shelter at 214 Barker Road in Pittsfield will continue offering 50 percent off adoption fees of all animals at least 6 months old through the end of October. To offset lost income from adoption fees, the nonprofit has several opportunities to raise funds for homeless animals at a pet-friendly, fun-filled slate of events at Haddad Subaru this Saturday, October 26th.
“Two weeks ago we announced discounting adoption fees of shelter animals by 50 percent to help clear our shelter in hopes of accepting shelter dogs from southern shelters displaced by hurricanes,” said John Perreault, Executive Director of Berkshire Humane Society. “At that time we had 113 animals at the shelter. While we placed 39 animals with that promotion, we took in more local animals than we placed. Now we have 134 animals in the shelter, with several more on our waiting lists. Clearly, there is a huge local demand for surrendering animals and our priority is to find homes for local animals. We encourage all to help by joining us and having fun with fundraising activities on the 26th so we can defray some costs of discounting adoption fees, which to begin with, don’t cover costs of each animal’s intake, medical care and sheltering.”
Saturday events at Haddad Subaru, 652 East Street in Pittsfield, begin at 8:30 with a free rabies and microchip clinic for cats and dogs. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in carriers for the clinic, which is sponsored by Subaru of America and the ASPCA. Pet owners are encouraged to bring the last valid rabies certificate for their pet, even if it has expired.
The clinic ends at 10:00 AM when a 1.2-mile Woof Walk steps off from Haddad Subaru. Walkers and teams may walk with or without a dog and are encouraged to register in advance of the walk at https://bit.ly/3XP5nVS. Dogs joining the walk must be on non-retractable leashes.
At 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, Berkshire Humane Society’s Family Dog School trainers will demonstrate training techniques, followed by 11:30 and 12:30 PM games for participants and their dogs. Live 95.9 will broadcast live from Haddad Subaru beginning at 11:00 AM and will announce the winner of the annual “Choose Your Subaru” drawing live at the 1:00 PM drawing time. Tickets will be available for $40 each or three for $100 through Friday at Berkshire Humane Society (call 413-447-7878 extension 131 to buy over the phone) at 214 Barker Road in Pittsfield or at Haddad Subaru up until the time of the drawing.
A pet Halloween costume contest will be held immediately after the drawing for the Subaru (around 1:15 PM). The day will include a photo booth sponsored by Martha Pope with Bishop West Realty, mocktails from Higher Bar Catering, a free bouncy house and vendors such as The Berkshire Dog, Tuesday Ceramics, Charlie’s Bistro Bus and L’Bri Pure N Natural Skin Care. “If you love animals, Haddad Subaru is the place to be on Saturday,” said Perreault.
###