Funding Will Help Berkshire County Pet Families Access the Affordable Veterinary Care They Need
Berkshire Humane Society has received a $150,000 grant from PetSmart Charities to help more local pet families access affordable veterinary care.
A recent PetSmart Charities-Gallup State of Pet Care Study revealed 52 percent of pet parents skipped or declined veterinary care, largely due to financial concerns. This funding will support Berkshire Humane Society’s Wellness Clinic in addressing the three biggest barriers that face pet owners in Berkshire County: cost, transportation and availability. Berkshire Humane Society’s Wellness clinic is committed to providing access to veterinary care by offering low-cost services for health exams, vaccinations, parasite screening, and prevention, along with affordable spay and neuter surgeries and dental care. Through this grant, Berkshire Humane Society will add more Wellness Clinic office hours, update equipment, and continue to increase staff. It will increase our spay and neuter surgeries by an additional 10 to 15 percent.
“This grant will help us reach so many pet parents in this community who would otherwise not be able to provide basic medical care and wellness. Many times, the only option for pet parents is to surrender their beloved pet to a shelter. Berkshire Humane Society believes in keeping families together which includes their companion animals. Access to care should be available for everyone,” said John Perreault, Berkshire Humane Society’s Executive Director.
50 million pets across the U.S. lack access to the veterinary care they need. In 2023, PetSmart Charities responded to that reality with a commitment of more than $100 million over five years to dismantle the financial, geographical and logistical barriers standing between pets and the care they deserve. Through its Accelerator grant program, PetSmart Charities supports nonprofit and low-cost veterinary providers working to expand services and reach more families in need.
“Pets are family, and access to veterinary care is critical in ensuring they stay healthy and remain in their loving homes,” said Aimee Gilbreath, president of PetSmart Charities. “When care is declined or skipped due to finances, small medical issues can become serious and far more expensive. We are proud to partner with Berkshire Humane Society to help create practical, sustainable goals that meet the needs of their community.”
Our main goal at the Clinic is having accessible, affordable, quality veterinary care. Since 2024 we have helped close to 10,400 dogs and cats with flea/tick prevention, puppy/kitten vaccines, bloodwork testing and more.
Thanks to funding from a generous donor, Perreault arranged to have four-year-old Lola spayed at our Wellness Clinic at no cost to Sheryl and her husband, Kylie.
“John set it up for me. I really appreciate it,” Sheryl said. “It’s awesome,” she said about a donor making Lola’s surgery possible. “When people don’t have money, it’s hard. You get a high electric bill, and you have nothing,” she said.
Lola is a special dog for Sheryl and Kylie. In 2011 they tragically lost their home, dogs Lucky and Brittany, cat Dakota, and nearly everything else in a house fire. They got another cat, named Gizmo, but “it took a long time to get a dog after that,” said Sheryl. When a friend was moving and could not keep Lola, the couple took in the little blue pittie. “People talk about pit bulls, that they are bad,” said Sheryl. “She’s just a baby – a big, big baby.” “She’s the best pit bull I’ve ever seen,” said Kylie.
“We’re so glad we can help good people like Sheryl and Kylie take care of their dog,” said John Perreault. “They haven’t had it easy and clearly want to do the best for Lola,” he said. Sheryl and Kylie are forever grateful. “Thank you very much. We appreciate it,” said Sheryl.
About Berkshire Humane Society
Berkshire Humane Society is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, open-admission animal support organization. Our mission is to ensure the compassionate care, treatment, and placement of companion animals, while promoting and improving the welfare of all animals through education and outreach. Our main purpose is not only creating new families, but keeping families together, which includes our companion animals.
About PetSmart Charities
PetSmart Charities is committed to making the world a better place for pets and all who love them. Through its in-store adoption program in all PetSmart® stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, PetSmart Charities has helped more than 11 million pets find loving homes. PetSmart Charities also provides grant funding to support organizations that advocate and care for the well-being of all pets and their families. Its efforts connect pets with loving homes, improve access to affordable veterinary care, and support families in times of crises with access to food, shelter, and disaster response. Each year, millions of generous supporters help pets in need by donating to PetSmart Charities directly at PetSmartCharities.org, while shopping at PetSmart.com, and by using the PIN pads at checkout registers inside PetSmart® stores. PetSmart Charities efficiently uses more than 90 cents of every dollar donated to fulfill its mission, granting more than $600 million since its inception in 1994. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has received a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator each year consecutively since 2003 — placing it among the top one percent of rated charities.
To learn more or make a donation, visit PetSmartCharities.org.
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