PITTSFIELD, Mass. - The Berkshire Humane Society said their kennel is currently overwhelmed with dogs and is asking the public for help to get animals adopted.

What You Need To Know

  • The Berkshire Humane Society said their kennel is overwhelmed with dogs

  • The kennel has 13 dogs with a wait list for surrenders

  • The animal shelter has placed more than 57,000 homeless animals in homes since starting in 1992, according to BHS

“Lately, our adoptions have really slowed down, and our shelter is filled," said executive director John Perreault. "And we're really trying to find some great homes.” 

“We have some really great dogs right now," said community outreach coordinator Tricia Phillips. "I would love to see them all go home. You know, we just don't have the homes out there, I don't think.”

Phillips said there’s a wait list of people looking to surrender their dogs and the shelter is caring for about 13 right now. Phillips said due to rising costs and housing issues, animal shelters across the country are having an issue with placing pets in homes.

“You know, it's a big time commitment to have a dog, I think people don't understand the financial aspect of it," Phillips said. "You get a dog, and they think, oh, I'll get a dog, but when they look at the vet costs, the rising costs just to bring your dog to vet once a year for their shots, it's probably $300 depending on the size of the dog. And that's expensive. So, here they sit, waiting for their homes.”

Perreault said the wait has been long for many of their dogs.

“Right now, the dogs just get so overstimulated so quickly because they've been here a while," he said. "We've instituted a quiet time during the day.”

Perreault said staff members and volunteers at BHS put a lot of work into making every animal as comfortable as possible, but their animals need permanent homes.

“Some people say, 'oh, the shelter is really nice, it's really beautiful in here,' it's still not a home," he said. "It doesn't replicate that as much as we may try. So right now, we just need some help from the general public to come on in if you're interested. Our goal is to make sure we're placing again the right pet with the right owner.”

Perreault said to contact the Berkshire Humane Society or your local animal shelter if you’re thinking about welcoming a pet into your home.