Tom’s Toys in Great Barrington is making their Stuffed Animal Adoption a tradition! On Friday, July 31 – Saturday, August 1, you can buy a stuffed animal to help real animals. All “adopted” stuffies go home with a collar and carrier while supplies last. They’ll also have a craft table, raffle, giveaways and more. Tom’s Toys will donate 50 percent of proceeds from stuffed animal sales to Berkshire Humane Society.
Tom’s Toys is at 297 Main Street in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. They are open 10 am to 6 pm on the days of the event.
Thank you, Tom’s Toys!
Haddad Subaru and Berkshire Humane Society Continue Partnership
Berkshire Humane Society and Haddad Subaru have launched their 14th annual “Choose Your Subaru” car raffle. One lucky winner will have their choice of a 2027 Subaru Crosstrek Limited, Forester Premium or Outback Premium with an extended warranty and three years of free maintenance. Hybrid options are available for the Crosstrek and Forester. Tickets are $40 each or three for $100. The winner will be drawn on Saturday, October 24 at 1pm at Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Tickets are available in Pittsfield at Berkshire Humane Society’s Dr. John Reynolds Adoption and Education Center (main shelter), Wellness Clinic and Haddad Subaru, in Williamstown at Nature’s Closet, in North Adams at Roxie’s Barkery and Boutique, in Lanesboro at Baker’s Golf Center, in Richmond at Bartlett’s Apple Orchard and Farm Market, in Lenox at Chez Pet and Catwalk Boutique and in Great Barrington at Catwalk Boutique and Purradise. They are also available by calling the shelter at 413-447-7878 extension 131.
The raffle is limited to 2,700 tickets. If at least 1,000 tickets are not sold, the raffle will convert to a 50/50 drawing. All tickets include a $20 discount for services at Haddad Subaru.
“Well, I said it last year, we will sell out,” said Chris Kramek, General Manager and Vice President of Haddad Subaru. “Guess what? We did!” “This year won’t be any different,” he said. “Supporting this cause is a Berkshire mainstay and an event everyone looks for annually. I believe this will be our best year ever! The vehicles are of the highest value, especially the hybrid models.” Come support and give yourself a great chance to win the Berkshires’ most popular vehicle, a new Subaru,” Kramek concluded.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Haddad Subaru again this year for this thrilling opportunity for the community and the animals,” said John Perreault, Executive Director of Berkshire Humane Society. “People love this raffle. It’s our biggest fundraiser and a great way of helping local animals and disadvantaged animal lovers while having the dream of scoring a brand-new Subaru. Last year’s winner lived less than two miles from our shelter in Pittsfield.”
Berkshire Humane Society has an annual budget of more than $3 million, touching the lives of approximately 16,500 animals each year through adoption and surrender, medical care, spay/neuters, vaccine clinics, a Wellness Center, Pet Food Bank and Family Dog School. The Society’s education programs reach hundreds of school children annually and a SafePet Program provides free, temporary pet care for people in crisis.
“Companion animals and their people in our community depend on you,” said Perreault. All proceeds benefit animal shelter services and programs. For more information on the raffle, call 413-447-7878, extension 131. Follow the event on Facebook @BerkshireHumane or check the shelter’s website, BerkshireHumane.org.
Berkshire Humane Society has received more than $120,000 to fund life-changing programs helping companion animals and pet owners in and around the Berkshires. The amount is in addition to a $150,000 PetSmart Charities Accelerator Grant announced earlier this year to help expand low-cost veterinary care at the organization’s Wellness Clinic, the only nonprofit veterinary clinic in Berkshire County.
“As a nonprofit organization dependent on donations from generous benefactors, we’re grateful and humbled to receive these grants on behalf of vulnerable animals and people in our area,” said John Perreault, Executive Director of Berkshire Humane Society. “Because of the relentless need for our services, we’re glad to stretch our donors’ dollars to serve our community. These grants are validation that others see the important work we’re doing and want to help,” he said.
Two grants, a $10,000 award from the Massachusetts Animal Coalition License Plate Grant program and a $95,000 award from the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, a supporting organization of the Northwest CT Community Foundation, are to subsidize spay and neuter surgeries for pets and unowned cats. Priority for the surgeries, performed at the Wellness Clinic, goes to families in financial distress, especially recipients of Berkshire Humane Society’s Pet Food Bank. The Wiederhold Foundation grant also funds pet health examinations, bloodwork testing, treatment of severe dental disease and free vaccine and microchip clinics throughout the county.
The Lee Bank Foundation awarded $5,000 to fund Berkshire Humane Society’s SafePet Program. Designed to temporarily board pets of people in crisis, this program helps patients and clients of partnering organizations such as Berkshire Health Systems, the Brien Center, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Elder Services of Berkshire County and Elder Protective Services in Berkshire County.
Children’s educational programming was supported by a $5,500 award from the Charles H. Hall Foundation. This grant helps teach students from Reid Middle School’s Innovation Program the importance of compassion for and proper care of animals. Berkshire Humane Society provides transportation and lunches for the students, who come to the shelter for hands-on animal welfare learning, projects and guest speakers.
Finally, Pittsfield Cooperative Bank awarded a charitable contribution of $5,000 to support the Pet Food Bank, which fills more than 7,000 requests annually to help feed dogs and cats of families facing financial difficulties.
“A donation to Berkshire Humane Society stays in the community to help animals thrive and keep families, including their furry members, together,” added Perreault. “Thank you to all those who support our mission of compassionate care for all.”
As part of a $95,000 grant from the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation, a supporting organization of the Northwest CT Community Foundation, Berkshire Humane Society will hold a free rabies vaccine and microchip clinic, including a pet food giveaway for dogs and cats on Thursday, May 14th, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Carr Hardware in North Adams at 179 State Road.
For the clinic, dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in carriers. Pet owners are encouraged to bring previous proof of rabies vaccination, even if it has expired. For microchips, downloading a form at https://berkshirehumane.org/document/microchip-registration-form/ will expedite the process. Bags of dry cat and dog food from Berkshire Humane Society’s Pet Food Bank will also be available and three sophomores from Lenox Memorial High School will help with distribution as part of a civics project. The clinic and pet food giveaway are open to all; you need not live in North Adams.
“We’re holding this free clinic in North Adams to better serve animals and their people in Northern Berkshire County,” said John Perreault, Executive Director of Berkshire Humane Society. “Besides being the law, it’s important to keep your pets up to date on their rabies vaccination for their health and the health of other animals,” he said. Massachusetts requires all dogs and cats be vaccinated for rabies before they are six months old. “And microchipping your dog or cat will increase your chances of being reunited with your pet if he or she gets lost,” he added.
“We’re grateful to the Wiederhold Foundation for their generosity, Carr Hardware for providing a great location for this event, and to the three Lenox High School students for helping give away pet food for their civics project; all are supporting our local community of animal lovers, right here in the Berkshires,” Perreault concluded.
For more information, contact Berkshire Humane Society at 413-447-7878 or BerkshireHumane.org.
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.
Follow PetSmart Charities on Instagram: @PetSmartCharities
Follow PetSmart Charities on Facebook: Facebook.com/PetSmartCharities
Follow PetSmart Charities on YouTube: YouTube.com/PetSmartCharitiesInc
Free Pet Food Drive-Thru in Becket Saturday, February 7th
Following up on successful December events, Berkshire Humane Society will give out bags of cat and dog food to pet owners in need during a drive-thru event this Saturday, February 7th from 9:00 – 11:00 am, at the Becket Washington School Parking Lot, 12 Maple Street in Becket. The drive-thru is in conjunction with the Becket Food Pantry.
Cat and dog owners can drive up to the distribution point and remain in their vehicle while someone takes their order and loads it into their vehicle. Cat owners will get a 6-pound bag of food and dog owners will get a 20-pound bag, no questions asked. The event is open to all, regardless of enrollment in Berkshire Humane Society’s Pet Food Bank or participation in the Becket Food Pantry and is made possible by generous donations from Wendy and James Martin of the Martin Family Donor Advised Fund, the Eichenbaum/Archer Family Foundation and an anonymous private foundation.
“We gave out nearly 7,200 pounds of pet food in our holiday drive-thrus in Great Barrington, North Adams and Pittsfield,” said John Perreault, Berkshire Humane Society’s Executive Director. “People not only drove, but walked up to those events. I can’t tell you how many of them told us how thankful they were for help feeding their cats or dogs,” he said. “With the cold weather lately, we don’t want people choosing between staying warm and feeding themselves or their cats their pets. With this event, we’re hoping to reach more folks in the hilltowns. Thanks to our generous donors, we have more than 7,500 pounds of pet food to do just that! Thank you to the Becket Food Pantry for making the event possible.”
Berkshire Humane Society’s Food Pantry events are part of the nonprofit’s efforts to keep families together and prevent people from feeling they must surrender their pet to the shelter. Other programs include the shelter’s monthly Pet Food Bank, to which drive-thru recipients may enroll; low-cost spay and neuter and other veterinary services at the Society’s Wellness Clinic; and dog obedience classes at Family Dog School.
Berkshire Humane Society also accepts donations to provide pet food for more families in need. Monetary donations are preferred because the shelter has agreements with pet food companies to buy nutritious food at a bulk rate, feeding more animals per donor dollar. For more information about the drive-thru event or making a donation, call 413-447-7878, extension 127.
Susan Tremblay and Lisa Sihvonen-Binder joined the board of directors for Berkshire Humane Society at the nonprofit’s annual meeting.
Tremblay’s background includes sales, marketing and volunteerism. In her corporate marketing career with businesses ranging from a small startup long distance telephone company to Fortune 500, multi-national MCI, Inc., she has been responsible for web development, communications, revenue production, sales force productivity, product management and corporate partner deal execution. She was a key donations-producing volunteer in leadership roles with two Fairfield County (Connecticut) private schools, Malta House (a homeless shelter for women and children), and The American Red Cross. Tremblay has a BA in English from Franklin and Marshall College. She and her husband live in Richmond, Massachusetts, and have a son and a standard poodle.
Sihvonen-Binder brings management and grant-writing expertise to the board. She’s operated a grant consulting practice since 2007, taught Grant Writing for Corporations & Foundations for Bay Path University for 13 years and is a member of the Grant Professionals Association. Her 34 years of professional experience also includes roles in communications and program management in nonprofit and corporate sectors. Sihvonen-Binder has edited several books for CharityChannel Press on nonprofit management and fundraising. She holds a Master of Science degree in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two rescue dogs.
“Both Lisa and Susan bring valuable skills to our organization,” said the Society’s board of directors President Laura Bykowski. “I’m excited to work with them to forward Berkshire Humane Society’s compassionate mission of helping vulnerable companion animals and the people who love them. Please join me in welcoming Lisa and Susan!”
Berkshire Humane Society to hand out pet food at three county locations
Berkshire Humane Society will give out up to 1,300 bags of cat and dog food to pet owners in need during three drive-thru “Pet Food Pantry Holiday Help” events the weekend before Christmas. Times and locations are; Saturday, December 20th 9:00 am to 11:00 am at White House Square in Great Barrington, 325 Stockbridge Road; Saturday, December 20th 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Carr Hardware in North Adams, 179 State Road; and Sunday, December 21st 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Dr. John Reynolds Adoption and Education Center (main shelter), 214 Barker Road in Pittsfield.
Cat and dog owners can drive up to the distribution point and remain in their vehicle while someone takes their order and loads it into their vehicle. Cat owners will get a 6-pound bag of food and dog owners will get a 20-pound bag, no questions asked. The events are open to all, regardless of enrollment in Berkshire Humane Society’s Pet Food Bank and are made possible by generous donations from Wendy and James Martin of the Martin Family Donor Advised Fund, the Eichenbaum/Archer Family Foundation and an anonymous private foundation.
“The holidays are a time for families. Those of us who love animals know that includes our beloved pets,” said John Perreault, Berkshire Humane Society’s Executive Director. “Cat and dog owners have told us they’ll go without so they can feed their animals. No one, no animal, should go without food, especially during the holidays. Thanks to our generous donors, we have enough bags of kibble for 500 dog families and 840 cat families – more than 15,000 pounds of food, 5,000 pounds for each location!”
The Food Pantry Holiday Help events are part of Berkshire Humane Society’s efforts to keep families together, to prevent people from feeling they must surrender their pet to the shelter. Other programs include the shelter’s Pet Food Bank, to which drive-thru recipients may enroll; low-cost spay and neuter and other veterinary services at the Society’s Wellness Clinic; and dog obedience classes at Family Dog School.
Berkshire Humane Society also accepts donations to provide pet food for more families in need. Monetary donations are preferred because the shelter has agreements with pet food companies to buy nutritious food at a bulk rate, feeding more animals per donor dollar. For more information about the drive-thru events or making a donation, call 413-447-7878.
Berkshire Humane Society has a Pet Food Bank available to cat and dog owners in Berkshire County who are struggling financially. Pet food is available at the Dr. John Reynolds Adoption and Education Center at 214 Barker Road in Pittsfield, Purradise Feline Adoption and Boarding facility at 301 Stockbridge Road or through the Meals on Wheels program run by Elder Services of Berkshire County. Please call Berkshire Humane Society’s Pet Food Bank Coordinator Jessica Cunningham, 413- 447-7878 extension 127 to sign up.
“With SNAP benefits threatened, more people out of work, and winter coming, we remind pet lovers in Berkshire County that we’re here to help,” said Cunningham. “No one should have to choose between taking care of themselves and taking care of their pet.” At least two weeks of dry pet food per month is available per pet for people who sign up for the program and more assistance is available for those on public assistance. Canned food, treats and cat litter may also be available, depending on supplies. Pet Food Bank recipients also have access to low-cost spay and neuter surgeries through Berkshire Humane Society’s Wellness Clinic on Dalton Avenue. When receiving pet food assistance, participants in the program agree not to add any new pets to their family.
Each person signing up for the Pet Food Bank receives assistance for six months and can reapply after that if they still need help. “The need is only increasing,” said Cunningham. In fiscal year 2025 we saw a dramatic 180 percent increase in Pet Food Bank requests, to about 6,500! Last week the pantry disbursed more than 1,000 pounds of pet food and since July 1st, more than 10,000 pounds.”
A private foundation and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank are generous sponsors of Berkshire Humane Society’s Pet Food Bank, which is also supported by individual donations. “We always accept donations of unexpired food,” said Cunningham. “Right now, we really need donations of canned dog food.” Donated food goes to the Pet Food Bank; shelter pets are not in need as Berkshire Humane Society has an agreement with Hill’s Science Diet to feed shelter animals.
Berkshire Humane Society’s Pet Food Bank is one of many programs the nonprofit animal welfare organization has to keep animals in homes and out of the shelter. People receiving help from the Pet Food Bank greatly appreciate the help. For example, Erin from Pittsfield wrote to Berkshire Humane Society about the help she and her boyfriend received to feed their two dogs after she lost a good job during the pandemic, “My pups come first, so we went without until we heard through a friend about [Berkshire Humane Society]. They help with hard and soft food, treats on occasion and sometimes they have people that donate toys. Without all these donations, my family would be struggling more than we are. When I get reestablished, I intend on giving back, too. It’s amazing how far one donation can go. So, if you have it in your heart, please give back, but only if you can. So much love for all the donations and for the local [Berkshire Humane Society]!”
Annual Subaru Drawing, Free Rabies and Microchip Clinic, Family Friendly Activities
Berkshire Humane Society will hold a free rabies and microchip clinic on Saturday, October 25th from 8:30 to 10:00 am at the Dr. John Reynolds Adoption and Education Center, 214 Barker Road in Pittsfield. The clinic kicks off a slate of family-friendly events building up to a drawing for a 2026 Subaru at 1:00 pm. Dogs for the Subaru of America/ASPCA-sponsored clinic must be on a leash and cats must be in carriers. Please bring the last valid rabies certificate for your pet, even if it has expired. For dogs or cats who received a one-year rabies vaccination at last year’s clinic at Haddad Subaru, bringing the certificate qualifies for a free three-year rabies vaccination this year.
After the clinic ends, the shelter opens, along with local vendors, family lawn games and fun basket raffles. Please leave your own pet at home for activities beginning at 10 am. At 11:00 am, Live 95.9 radio station will broadcast live and at 11:30 Berkshire Humane Society’s Family Dog School trainers will demonstrate training techniques. Tickets for the “Choose Your Subaru” drawing will be available through 12:30 pm and are $40 each or three for $100. The winner of the raffle can choose from a 2026 Forester, Crosstrek, or Outback purchased from Haddad Subaru, who has donated an extended warranty and three years of free maintenance.
Vendors include Barkshire Dog Trading Company, who will do pet caricatures; Tom’s Toys, where children can “adopt” a stuffed animal to benefit the shelter; The Berkshire Dog; Little Wool Dogs; PetPawzRX; Nutrisource pet food; Truffles by Tarah and Infinity Lox permanent jewelry. “Come on over to Berkshire Humane Society on the 25th. We’ve been around for more than 30 years, but still some people don’t realize we’re a nonprofit organization. Our car raffle is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and this is the lucky 13th year we’ve partnered with Haddad Subaru,” said Executive Director John Perreault. “Meet our animals, play some games, shop local vendors and maybe even win a new car!” said Perreault.
