Berkshire Humane Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY, INC. 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.
- Income
- $3.2 million
- Spending
- $3.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 89%
- Reserves
- 0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 58%
- Employees
- 51
- Volunteers
- 207
- Highest pay
- $131,535, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 58 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 24% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1589% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (2)
- $1.2 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OBERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY IS A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT, SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS ORGANIZATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY OTHER ANIMAL WELFARE AGENCY. WE RECEIVE NO PUBLIC FUNDS FROM STATE OR FEDERAL SOURCES. WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF PITTSFIELD TO HOUSE STRAY ANIMALS FROM WHICH WE RECEIVE MINIMAL FUNDING. WITH OUR CONTRACT, WE TAKE IN ABOUT 150 DOGS PER YEAR AND HAVE A RETURN-TO-OWNER RATE OF MORE THAN 90 PERCENT. WE DEPEND ON THE COMPASSION AND GENEROSITY OF THE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING GRANTS, FOR FUNDING. EACH MONTH, WE SPEND $280,000 HELPING ANIMALS AND PEOPLE. BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY SHELTERS ABOUT 1,500 ANIMALS ANNUALLY AND FINDS HOMES FOR HEALTHY AND SAFE SURRENDERED ANIMALS. WE ALSO HAVE A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO KEEP ANIMALS IN THEIR HOMES. FOR EXAMPLE, FAMILY DOG SCHOOL, CREATED TO ADDRESS "BAD BEHAVIOR" (THE PRIMARY REASON DOGS AND PUPPIES ARE SURRENDERED) OFFERS FREE CONSULTATION AND AFFORDABLE TRAINING. CLASSES INCLUDE MANNERS, TRICKS, NOSE WORK, REACTIVITY, AND CANINE GOOD CITIZEN TEST PREPARATION. ANNUALLY, FAMILY DOG SCHOOL GRADUATES ABOUT 500 DOGS, HELPING KEEP THEM IN THEIR HOMES. BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY OPENED A WELLNESS CLINIC IN 2023 TO PROVIDE LOW-COST OPTIONS FOR VETERINARY NEEDS SUCH AS COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH EXAMS, BLOODWORK, FLEA AND TICK TREATMENT, VACCINATIONS, MICROCHIPPING, PARASITE SCREENINGS AND TREATMENT, HEARTWORM AND TICKBORNE DISEASE TESTING, FELINE LEUKEMIA AND AIDS TESTING, LOW-COST SPAY AND NEUTER SURGERIES, DENTAL WORK AND URGENT CARE. ANNUALLY, WE HELP MORE THAN 4,500 ANIMALS AT THE WELLNESS CLINIC. BEYOND THE CLINIC, WE HOLD POP-UP CLINICS FOR FREE VACCINES, MEDICAL EXAMS AND MICROCHIPS, FOCUSED ON UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS. WE PARTNER WITH CITY OFFICIALS TO TARGET NEIGHBORHOODS MOST IN NEED. LAST YEAR WE HELPED MORE THAN 250 ANIMALS AT FREE CLINICS. TO FURTHER SUPPORT ANIMALS WHOSE OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTY, WE HAVE A FREE PET FOOD BANK STOCKED FROM COMMUNITY DONATIONS AND GRANTS. EACH YEAR DEMAND FOR THE FOOD BANK INCREASES, WITH MORE THAN 7,000 REQUESTS LAST YEAR TOTALING ALMOST 50,000 POUNDS OF PET FOOD. WE DISTRIBUTE OUR PET FOOD TO OTHER FOOD BANKS IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY, WHEN POSSIBLE. WE COLLABORATE WITH ELDER SERVICES' MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM TO GIVE DOG AND CAT FOOD TO SENIORS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING INSECURITIES. OUTSIDE OF OUR PET FOOD BANK PROGRAM, WE SCHEDULE FREE PET FOOD DRIVE THRUS THROUGHOUT BERKSHIRE COUNTY WHEN THE NEED ARISES. LAST YEAR WE GAVE OUT 7,200 POUNDS OF CAT AND DOG FOOD WITH OUR DRIVE-THRU EVENTS.BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY HAS A COMMUNITY CAT PROGRAM, AN ALL-VOLUNTEER TRAP/NEUTER/VACCINATE/ RETURN PROGRAM, EACH YEAR HELPING ABOUT 200 FREE ROAMING AND FERAL CATS. THE PROGRAM PROMOTES HUMANE TREATMENT AND CARE OF STRAY OR FERAL CATS IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND SURROUNDING TOWNS WHILE ATTEMPTING TO KEEP FERAL CAT POPULATIONS IN CONTROL. BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY PUTS UP FOR ADOPTION OF ANY KITTEN OR CAT TRAPPED WHO IS FRIENDLY. OTHER FELINE PROGRAMS AT BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY INCLUDE A SATELLITE ADOPTION AND BOARDING FACILITY, PURRADISE, IN GREAT BARRINGTON. WE RECENTLY RENOVATED PURRADISE TO MAKE OUR SERVICES, INCLUDING OUR PET FOOD BANK, MORE ACCESSIBLE TO SOUTHERN BERKSHIRE COUNTY RESIDENTS. SAFEPET IS A VALUABLE PROGRAM SERVING BOTH PEOPLE AND ANIMALS. WITH IT, WE HELP VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING EXTREME HARDSHIP OR CRISIS BY BOARDING THEIR PET FOR FREE WHILE THEY ARE SEEKING TREATMENT OR HELP THROUGH A SAFEPET PARTNER. PARTNERING ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE ELIZABETH FREEMAN CENTER, A PITTSFIELD-BASED RESOURCE FOR WOMEN; THE BRIEN CENTER; ELDER SERVICES OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY; ELDER PROTECTIVE SERVICES OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND BERKSHIRE HEALTH SYSTEMS. OUR VOLUNTEERS OR STAFF CARE FOR SAFEPET ANIMALS FOR UP TO 30 DAYS UNTIL THEY CAN BE REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILY. THE ARRANGEMENT IS ENTIRELY CONFIDENTIAL. THE SAFEPET PROGRAM SERVES APPROXIMATELY 50 CLIENTS PER YEAR, EQUALING MORE THAN 1,000 HOURS OF ANIMAL CARE. BECAUSE BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY BELIEVES IN FOSTERING COMPASSION IN HUMANS, WE OFFER EDUCATION PROGRAMS, SOMETIMES IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. THESE PROGRAMS REACH MORE THAN 2,100 CHILDREN AND ADULTS OVER THE COURSE OF EACH YEAR THROUGH IN-SHELTER AND OFFSITE SESSIONS. OFFSITE TOPICS INCLUDE ANIMAL INFORMATION AND CAREERS IN ANIMAL WELFARE. BY EDUCATING FUTURE GENERATIONS, WE HOPE TO FOSTER COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS AND INSPIRE HUMANE ADVOCACY. CATWALK BOUTIQUE RESALE SHOPS IN GREAT BARRINGTON AND LENOX ARE IMPORTANT REVENUE SOURCES FOR BERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY, GROSSING APPROXIMATELY $300,000 PER YEAR. THE SUCCESSFUL SHOPS SPECIALIZE IN WOMEN'S CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES, RELYING ON GOODS DONATED BY THE COMMUNITY FOR INVENTORY. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT BERKSHIREHUMANE.ORG
- $1.7 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OBERKSHIRE HUMANE SOCIETY ACCEPTS MORE THAN 1,500 ANIMALS ANNUALLY WHO WE CARE FOR, REHABILITATE AND MAKE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION IF THEY ARE SAFE AND HEALTHY. PEOPLE SURRENDER THEIR PETS FOR MANY REASONS, INCLUDING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, DEATH OF OWNER AND CHANGE IN LIVING CIRCUMSTANCES. WE USE PROBLEM-SOLVING TO KEEP ANIMALS IN THEIR HOMES WHENEVER POSSIBLE. APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT OF ANIMALS INTO RESPONSIBLE HOMES IS THE CRUX OF OUR MISSION. WE ARE THE ONLY OPEN-ADMISSION, SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS ANIMAL SHELTER IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS, WHICH MEANS THAT WE ACCEPT ANIMALS WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THEIR AGE, BREED OR TEMPERAMENT. MANY ANIMALS WHO COME TO US HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO. WE SUGGEST, BUT DO NOT REQUIRE, A DONATION FOR SURRENDERING AN ANIMAL. FROM DOGS AND CATS TO BIRDS AND ALL TYPES OF SMALL MAMMALS, WE ARE THE PLACE TO FIND A NEW PET. TRAINED ADOPTION COUNSELORS WORK WITH POTENTIAL ADOPTERS TO FIND THE BEST FIT FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND LIFESTYLES. CANINE STAFF USE THE ASPCA'S "SAFER" (SAFETY ASSESSMENT FOR EVALUATING REHOMING) TOOL TO IDENTIFY THE RISK OF FUTURE AGGRESSION AND INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOR SUPPORT NEEDED BEFORE ADOPTION. OUR ADOPTION FEES INCLUDE SPAYING/NEUTERING, VACCINATIONS, MICROCHIPPING, WORMING AND A FREE LIFETIME OF ADVICE. WE LOSE MONEY ON EVERY SINGLE ADOPTION. WE DO NOT PLACE LIMITS ON THE TIME THAT AN ADOPTABLE ANIMAL STAYS AT THE SHELTER. IN 2025, 737 ANIMALS WERE ADOPTED; ON AVERAGE, DOGS WAITED 20 DAYS TO BE ADOPTED, SMALL ANIMALS 30 DAYS, AND CATS 28 DAYS. THE COST OF CARE DURING AN AVERAGE STAY WAS MORE THAN $360.00 PER ANIMAL. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT BERKSHIREHUMANE.ORG
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1992.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
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