HumaneTales BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY NEWSLETTER • SUMMER 2015
MAIN SHELTER 214 Barker Rd Pittsfield, MA 01201 413-447-7878
BerkshireHumane.org
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” –Anatole France
20TH ANNUAL WOOFSTOCK – IN THE CITY! For our 20th annual Woofstock on Sunday, June 28th, Berkshire Humane Society (BHS) is returning to the City of Pittsfield, the location of some of our early walks. Besides a lovely stroll 1.5 mile around downtown Pittsfield, the day’s festivities at the newlyrenovated Common include demonstrations, local vendors, games, and delicious food – yes, that means the popular pancake breakfast starting at 8:00AM. And we can’t forget our Honorary Chair, Steve Caporizzio from NEWS10.
PURRADISE, Feline Adoption & Retail Center 301 Stockbridge Rd Great Barrington, MA 01230 413-717-4244
Although Woofstock is a dog walk, it benefits all the animals and programs at BHS – from providing formula for orphaned kittens and dental care for senior cats to offering free humane education to local schools and organizations, temporary foster care for animals whose owners are in crisis, and a community pet food pantry. Our goal for Woofstock 2015 is to raise $40,000 in pledges and donations. We know that’s ambitious, but we also know that we can reach it with your help. BHS has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, and we keep our administrative costs to a minimum. So be assured that most of our funding goes directly to help the animals. Thanks in advance. We’ll see you in a few weeks!
BHS is also excited to announce a few new “extras.” During Woofstock 2015, we’ll be drawing the winning ticket for the Subaru Raffle, and throughout the month of June, we’ll be hosting a local Restaurant Challenge. See page 2 for details.
BHS WELCOMES STEVE CAPORIZZO AS WOOFSTOCK’S HONORARY CHAIR Berkshire Humane Society (BHS) is thrilled that Steve Caporizzo, NEWS10’s Chief Meteorologist, will be our Honorary Chairman for this year’s Woofstock, and he’s equally thrilled to be joining us.
Of course, Steve is most known for his tireless efforts to help homeless animals and fundraise for Upstate New York and Western New England shelters. Besides helping to find homes for over 2,300 pets and raising more than $250,000 on their behalf, he was part of an Ohio puppy mill rescue in 2013 and brought back 32 dogs to be adopted. Not surprisingly, he’s received several awards for his Pet Connection segments and his work on behalf of animals. But as Steve says, “The best award is when you find the special home for a homeless dog or cat. It makes you feel good.”
A long-time animal advocate, Steve understands the financial challenges facing BHS and other shelters. Therefore, to help raise funds during this annual walk, he’s requested that everyone who comes to meet him make a generous donation to BHS. But there’s more! As an added incentive for our Woofstock walkers, Steve has also agreed to have a lunch at BHS with each one who raises $500 or more in pledges. Given his busy schedule, we think this is an extremely generous offer for us and a terrific opportunity for his many fans.
Steve has also been a great friend to BHS. He regularly features our animals on Pet Connection, and he’s always willing to post BHS news on his Facebook page. Over the years, he’s filmed twice at the shelter, and he’s participated with BHS in the annual Fall Foliage Parade as well as other events.
Steve is no stranger to the Berkshires as before going to WTEN in Albany, he was Chief Meteorologist at WWLP in Springfield, MA. Steve is very active in his community, and, over the past 18 years, he has visited over 1,300 schools, civic groups, and senior centers. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening, the outdoors, and fishing – he even ties his own flies.
So folks, here’s your chance. Anyone interested in having lunch with Steve Caporizzo and helping the work and mission of BHS, please start texting, calling, and asking all your friends and family members to support you! A $500 donation to Woofstock 2015 gets you lunch with Steve, and we guarantee it will be a really memorable time.
SUBARU RAFFLE BENEFITS SPECIAL NEEDS ANIMALS For our third year, Berkshire Humane Society (BHS) is once again partnering with Haddad Subaru to raffle off a new Subaru. Thanks to the support of the sales staff at the Pittsfield dealership, BHS has netted over $30,000 for each of the last two years. Most of these funds have been directed to the Ken Freeberg Fund that covers veterinary costs for shelter animals with extraordinary medical problems. As a result of the Subaru Raffle, we’ve been able to say “Yes” to all our animals in need. “The Subaru Raffle has turned into our biggest fundraiser of the year, and we’ve come to count on this event to help our community’s animals,” states John Perreault, Executive Director of BHS. The drawing will be at BHS’s 20th annual Woofstock on Sunday, June 28th. Tickets are $40 each or three for $100. BHS limits the number of tickets to 2,100. In the previous two years, we sold slightly over 1,800 tickets. As John explains, “It’s a great deal because the odds of winning are pretty good.” But remember – no one is a bigger winner than the thousands of shelter animals who benefit from this important fundraiser. This year’s car is a 2015 Outback that includes a factory remote engine starter, a seven-year 100k warranty as well as the popular pet package that comes with a compartment separator, a rear seatback protector, and more. The total package is valued at over $31,000. There’s still time to purchase your tickets and help BHS to continue to provide the best care to our animals. Stop by the shelter in Pittsfield or Purradise in Great Barrington. Or call Diane Briggs at 447-7878, ext. 131. You might just be the lucky winner of that Outback!
Volunteers of the month!
Jess and Levi Lisi
For Jess and Levi, volunteering at BHS is a family affair. This mother and son team became volunteers in early 2012. After walking the dogs, Jess always stays on to give some TLC to those who have been with us for a while. As a junior volunteer, Levi worked with his mother in the kennel. In time, he asked to be moved to the reception desk where he’s doing a great job. Recently, Levi even trained a new volunteer for Thursday evenings.
A Note of Thanks… This spring Berkshire Humane Society held several very successful fundraisers with much help from local businesses. We send our sincere gratitude to… • ZipStrohr for naming BHS the recipient of its March Comedy Show, • Peter Barry and the entire staff at WUPE and Live 95.9 radio stations for an amazing 2015 Cause for Paws Radiothon, • Gary Happ and all the folks at Crissey Farm for the biggest annual Lasagna Dinner ever, • Christa Abel, owner of Bark N’ Cat, and all her volunteers for another incredible Humane Race. Also, thank you to everyone who donated gift certificates, baskets, and more for raffle prizes.
NEW RESTAURANT CHALLENGE JOINS BHS’S WOOFSTOCK Five restaurants have signed up for Woofstock’s first Restaurant Challenge. Throughout June, Patrick’s Pub, Baba Louie’s, Panera Bread, and Luau Hale will be hosting a Dine to Donate and contributing a percentage of your bill to Berkshire Humane Society (BHS). Flavours will also be holding a cocktail party at Fairway at the A. Admission is just $20 and includes a night of music and dancing. Here’s the schedule for the Restaurant Challenge: Wednesday, June 3rd–11:30AM-9:30PM–Baba Louie’s Monday, June 8th–4:30PM-10:30PM–Patrick’s Pub Thursday, June 11th– 4:00PM-9:30PM–Panera Bread (Coupon Required – Available at BHS or on our website) Friday, June 19th–9:30PM-Midnight–Flavours at the Fairway at the A Monday, June 22nd–4:00PM-10:00PM–Luau Hale
All proceeds from the Restaurant Challenge will benefit the animals at BHS. Visit our website (BerkshireHumane.org) or FaceBook page (Facebook.com/BerkshireHumane) for more details. Please try to attend as many of these events as you can to support BHS.
20TH ANNUAL
WOOFSTOCK TO BENEFIT BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY
SUNDAY, SUND AY, JUNE 28, 20 2015 15 JOIN US A ATT
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REGISTRATION REGISTRA ATION @ 10AM 10AM WALK W ALK S STARTS TARTS @ 1 11AM 1AM S STEVE TEVE CAPORIZ CAPORIZZO ZO HONORARY HONORARY CHAIR OF WOOFSTOCK WOOFSTOCK 2015 2015
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20 2015 15 SUBARU OUTBA OUTBACK CK RAFFLE TICKET WILL BE DRA DRAWN RA AWN WN AT AT WOOFSTOCK. WOOFSTOCK.
WOOFSTOCK
Pre-register Set up a fundraising page at: http://berkshirehumane.donorpages.com/Woofstock2015/ and email it to your friends! TEAM NAME
2015 SPONSOR SHEET
IF APPLICABLE
FULL NAME ADDRESS CITY
STATE
EMAIL ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER
DOG’S NAME
TYPE
ZIP
INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY/FRIEND TEAM OR CORPORATE TEAM
PRE-REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE UNTIL NOON ON JUNE 26. INDIVIDUALS/TEAMS WHO PRE-REGISTER (SEND PAPER REGISTRATION TO BHS OR REGISTER ONLINE) BY JUNE 1 AND RAISE $50 PER PERSON ARE GUARANTEED A T-SHIRT. Please Print Clearly
SPONSOR NAME
SPONSOR MAILING ADDRESS & PHONE NUMBER
DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. PLEASE PUT A STAR (*) NEXT TO THE NAME IF YOUR EMPLOYER WILL MATCH YOUR GIFT. TOTAL AMOUNT COLLECTED: I CANNOT ATTEND THE WALK, BUT WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY:
Thank you so much!
AMOUNT
adoption center in Great Barrington. And for a while it did. She was adopted by a good family with an older cat. But after a month, the two cats couldn’t get along, and Onyx was returned. Then Cynthia, a long-time cat lover, walked into Purradise. Recently, she lost her cat Columbine to old age. Originally she planned on waiting before adopting another cat, but as she explains, “The house was just so empty.” Besides finding Oynx’s story very compelling, their first meeting couldn’t have gone better. “She started purring as soon as I put my hand on her,”
ONYX: ONE LUCKY CAT If Onyx could talk, we’re sure she would agree that May 10th was her lucky day. That’s the day that Cynthia of Sheffield, MA “found” Onyx at Purradise, or, as Cynthia might say, Onyx “found” her. Onyx’s and her brother Paulie’s lives dramatically changed when their previous owner died and relatives left them outside to fend for themselves for several months. Fortunately, a neighbor was thoughtful enough to bring them to Berkshire Humane Society (BHS) last summer. Although we planned on adopting Onyx and Paulie as a pair, we ended up having to separate the siblings after they began squabbling in their cage. When Paulie found a new home, Onyx was left alone. Despite her sweet personality, being a black, senior, overweight cat made her less desirable to many adopters. We thought Onyx’s luck might change when Danielle Hammell, Shelter Manager of Purradise, brought her to BHS’s satellite feline
Cynthia remembers. Since Onyx arrived at her new home, Cynthia says the bond between them has been growing every day. She follows Cynthia everywhere and responds to all attention with an abundance of purrs. According to Cynthia, Onyx seems to be saying, “I kinda like it here.” PS – Paulie is also doing wonderful in his new home.
WANTED: HOME FOR A KING(SLEY) We love Kingsley. We really do – so much so that we don’t want him to celebrate his one year anniversary at Berkshire Humane Society (BHS). Last July, Kingsley came to the shelter as an unclaimed stray. Although smart, playful, and gregarious by nature, the one-yearold Bull Mastiff mix could be…well, a little too exuberant when greeting new people and not very friendly with fellow canines. In the past 10 months, however, Kingsley has continued to impress staff with his progress and personality. Besides learning basic manners, such as sit, stay, and polite greetings, he’s been working on being less reactive to animals. Additionally, Kingsley has been participating in several enrichment activities, including agility, tricks, and nose work. By far, though, Kingsley has excelled in the latter. In the past, BHS has successfully placed our other “long-term” dogs in loving, permanent, and responsible homes. Remember Lexi, our Lab/Pit Bull mix who lived at the shelter for a record 495 days before finding her family?
We know Kingsley’s forever home is out there. Maybe it’s with you? Staff believes he’s best suited for an active adultonly family (or individual) who has no other pets and who is experienced with dogs. A rural setting would be nice too – and the chance to go for car rides, a newfound love! To keep him physically and mentally challenged, Kingsley would benefit from continued training, and especially more nose work. So please help us celebrate Kingsley’s new home before July. To find out more about him, visit our website at BerkshireHumane.org, call 447-7878, ext. 126, or just stop by the shelter to meet him.
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325 Stockbridge Road Great Barrington, MA (next to Happy Nails)
413-717-4005
Berkshire Humane Society’s Resale Boutique
*
10% OFF 1
ST
ANNIVERSARY SALE
Available through June 29, 2015 for one time purchase only. One coupon per customer. *Total Purchase
STORE HOURS: M/W/Th/F/Sa: 10 am - 5 pm | Sunday: Noon - 4 pm | Closed Tuesdays Like us on Facebook. Call us at 413-447-7878.Visit us at BerkshireHumane.org Like us on Facebook. Call us at 413-447-7878.Visit us at BerkshireHumane.org
BHS ANNUAL MEETING AND VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PICNIC On Wednesday, June 17th at 5:00PM, Berkshire Humane Society will be holding our 23rd annual meeting. All members are welcome to attend. To reserve a spot, please call Diane Briggs at 413-447-7878, ext. 131. Following the meeting, we invite all our awesome volunteers to the annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic at 5:30PM. To confirm your attendance, please contact Terry Bissaillon at 413-447-7878, ext. 137 or tbissaillon@berkshirehumane.org. We look forward to serving you for the entire evening! Both events will be held at BHS.
BENEFIT FOR BHS Wednesday, June 17, 2015 * 4PM-7PM Shop at J. McLaughlin in Lenox, MA and 15% of your purchases of women's and men's clothing as well as accessories will be donated to BHS. The store is located at 68 Main Street. For more information, call 413-551-7421.
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR BHS STAFF To stay current with the ever changing world of animal sheltering, humane education, and dog training, staff at Berkshire Humane Society has been taking advantage of a variety of development opportunities across the country. Thanks to a grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Canine and Feline Adoption Counselors, Brett Dalzell, Lindsay Hermanski, Jessica Lascoe, and Jenn Zatorski, went to the New England Federation of Humane Societies annual conference in Nashua, NH. Lizzy Brown, Humane Educator, travelled to Phoenix, AZ for the Association of Professional Humane Educators Conference. And Amy Mack, a Canine Adoption Counselor and an Instructor at our Family Dog School, attended an Operant Conditioning seminar at Logan Haus Kennels in Lewisburg, West Virginia and a K9 Nose Work workshop at Country Canine LLC in Oahu, HI.
BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Cindy Bartlett, President Fred Pomerantz, Vice-President Leslie Weil, Vice-President Deborah Storie, Secretary Patricia Sinclair, Treasurer Jackie McHugh, Asst. Treasurer Jonathan Cluett, MD, Asst. Secretary Alexandra Glover Karen Leopardi Christopher Nerrie Victoria May Steve Pavlosky John Reynolds, DVM Diana Wall
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF John Perreault, Executive Director Sherry Betit, Financial Specialist Terry Bissaillon, Volunteer Coordinator Diane Briggs, Administrative Assistant Elizabeth Brown, Humane Educator Lisa Corbett, Head Instructor Family Dog School
Danielle Hammell, Purradise Manager Mary Koncel, Outreach Coordinator Cheryl Truskowski, Shelter Manager
PURRADISE ADVISORY BOARD Corinne McKeown Mimi Rosenblatt Leslie Weil Marsha Weiner
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