A Day in the Life with John Perreault, Executive Director of the Berkshire Humane Society in Pittsfield

Interviewed by Anne Lindsay

Recently we sat down with John Perreault, Executive Director of the Berkshire Humane Society in Pittsfield. For so many of us the Berkshires are at the other end of Massachusetts and we may not know much about the area. Here is what John had to say!

MAC: How long have you been the Executive Director at Berkshire Humane Society? How did you come up in the Animal Welfare field?

I have been in the top spot at Berkshire Humane since the organization formed in 1992. We took over the running of the MSPCA Pittsfield branch on January 1st of 1993. My first title was shelter manager and we started with just 3 employees. My title changed to Executive Director shortly after we moved into our new shelter in 2003. I attended Becker College and was in the animal care program and I had to do an internship and I chose the MSPCA in Methuen back in 1983. I really never left after that! I started as an ambulance driver on October 9th of 1984 for the MSPCA in Pittsfield. I then became manager on January 1st of 1988. I remained as their manager until they left the sheltering field in Pittsfield on December 31, 1992. I never missed a beat…closed on New Year’s Eve as the shelter manager for the MSPCA and opened on January 1st the next day as the manager of Berkshire Humane Society. Today Berkshire Humane Society has 31 employees, multiple other locations including a feline adoption and boarding facility in Great Barrington, two recent locations for Catwalk, our resale clothing boutiques and a facility used strictly for transports.

Berkshire County runs south to north from about 200 miles from the northwestern Connecticut all the way to southern Vermont. It also boarders New York State. That’s a huge area. Does Berkshire Humane Society serve all of Berkshire County?

Berkshire Humane Society covers the Berkshires and beyond. We do have many people from New York, Vermont and Connecticut who visit and use our services. For some…we are still the closest shelter to them. The Berkshires are pretty unique because we truly have no highways. We have route 7, 8 and 9 that run North to South and East to West but no major highway which means that it takes awhile to travel through our communities. Our County is broken up in three sections, Northern Berkshire, Central Berkshire and Southern Berkshire and many people stay within their own area, which sometimes makes it hard for them to use your service unless you come to them.

MAC: How different are the issues you deal with compared to the eastern part of the state?

I recently attended a leadership summit with leaders from around New England and we face the same struggles as everyone else. We all share the same problems. The one unique relationship we have in the Berkshires is that we have a great relationship with all of our veterinarians in the community and they do just about 100% of all of our medical care. We do not have a veterinarian on staff but all of our dogs, cats and rabbits are sterilized prior to going home and we have been able to do that since we started to shelter in 1993. The veterinarians also give free health exams to all of our adopted animals and they do our work for a pretty big discount. This relationship remains today. We decided to continue working with our local veterinarians and not hire a shelter vet. When we were starting our organization the veterinarians were the first to step forward to help. This has been a great collaboration and Berkshire Humane would not be where we are today without the help of our veterinary community.

MAC: Can you describe what your top 3 biggest challenges are as you try to help animals in Berkshire County?

1. Helping our community with accessible and affordable veterinary care. More and more people adopted during the pandemic and now with the shortage of veterinarians and closing of animal hospitals getting routine and affordable vet care is getting harder to find. We are working closely with our veterinarians to see how we can help. We recently started to provide some low-cost clinics where people can come and receive basic care who otherwise would not have been able to have the care their pet(s) needed. We are looking to do more of this starting right now. This is not an issue that will resolve itself anytime soon.

2.We are also seeing more and more canines come in with behavioral issues. We help owners understand their canine companion and help them to work with issues early on before they come a problem where surrender is the only answer. We operate Family Dog School which teaches manners classes and well as many other classes such as Reactive Rover, Fit and Tricks, Nosework…to just name a few. We also have designed a shelter canine program where all shelter dogs are treated as individuals and every dog receives a weekly ICP (individual canine plan). This plan looks at current behavior in the shelter and enrichment opportunities are designed and implemented for every dog. The canine behaviorist and the kennel shelter team meet weekly to change and update as needed. What a dog needs on day 10 may not be the same on day 20 or 30. Our canines should be more adoptable every day that they are with us and these ICP meetings make sure that happens.

3. Community Cats continues to be a program we work on. We recently merged with our local all-volunteer TNR group formerly known as ANIMAL DREAMS. We are looking to start construction later this fall on building a center for housing of trapped cats that are awaiting or recovering from surgery. The past few years this program has made an impact on our local community and we hope that with this continued effort our local community cats will be well controlled.

4. We are not facing the staffing shortage that many of my colleagues are facing. We are well staffed and Berkshire Humane Society is offering more training and better benefits. The staff just worked out a way to go to 4-day work weeks and not only are they getting an extra day…but the shelter is getting more accomplished during the staff’s 10 hour days. So far it has been a win…win for everyone!

MAC: You have been well connected to the community over the years. Tell us about a few of your most successful programs.

My board of directors told me before we started Berkshire Humane…John if you had one wish for the shelter what would it be? I told them that when we opened our doors in 1993 that I would like all of our animals to be spayed or neutered prior to being adopted. We had a meeting with all of our community veterinarians and when we opened our doors on the 2nd of January…it happened. I believe that our pet overpopulation decreased tremendously by this one wish that was granted…it was a game changer! No more policing phone calls to check on spay and neuter surgeries with the new owners. Instead, phone calls were being made to check on their new pet and see how we can help if there were any issues. It was nice not to have to chase people to have the surgery done. Our adoption program has made a big difference in shelter operations because of this policy.

Probably our most popular program is our Pet Food Bank which we have operated since 1987. Prior to Covid we had a little more than 1000 requests for pet food assistance at our Pittsfield location. Today that number has more than tripled with so many people needing help and we have so many community members who help support this effort. We live in an awesome community where we help each other and this program is just one way that Berkshire County takes care of one another.

Our SafePet Program started in 2000, as a safe haven for battered women’s pets. Our local women’s shelter known as the Elizabeth Freeman Center told us that people were not leaving abusive situations because they could not take their pet. We became the safe haven for these pets in crisis. Pets and owners were united after the client received the help they needed to get out of a dangerous situation. In 2015 we opened our program to other partnering agencies who have people in crisis who will not seek help for themselves because they truly have no one to care for their animals. We typically help more than 50 individuals a year through this program.

MAC: What changes did BHS make during the pandemic that you are still holding onto today?

The biggest change that we made was to use volunteers to help deliver pet food to people who can’t reach the shelter. We have many outlying towns where volunteers bring food to. This has helped our reach to help more people and their animals.

MAC: If you were a dog and had to choose your breed what would you choose?

I would be a mix breed dog. I think that I am who I am today because of so many influential people that I have had and continue to have in my life that have made an impact on who I am today as a person…so I am a little bit of this and a little bit of that!

MAC: One fact that describes you?

I am a foster failure! Whatever I would bring home would never leave my home…ever!!!!! Until last year. It took almost 40 years in this field to foster and return to the shelter! I am also a foster failure with kids as well and my wife, my daughter Remi and I share our home with three adopted children! I am no longer fostering children!!!!!!

Thank you, John!!! Keep up the great work. The animals and children are lucky to have you!  And MAC is lucky to have you as a board member, too!

How to be a Great Board Member...or how to help your board members become great

By Bonney Brown

A Stanford University survey of nonprofit board members revealed that 27% of board members feel that their colleagues lack an understanding of their organization’s mission and strategy and over 50% felt that their colleagues lack an understanding of their own roles and responsibilities.

Perhaps this shouldn’t be surprising since people often receive little or no information on their responsibilities when they become a board member. You can become a great board member and help your entire board better serve your organization by sharing this article with your fellow board members and your organization’s management team. Together you can work to ensure that everyone has the information they need to be effective. 

Ideally, staff leadership is proactive about providing information to their board but sometimes management is stretched thin or may not know what information board members need. If something is not clear to you, it’s probably not clear to others. Asking for more information helps everyone so when in doubt, ask!

Ten Things Every Board Member Should Know

Every board member and the organization’s staff or volunteer leadership team should have access to the following information and become knowledgeable about these key elements of board governance.

1. Mission and Goals: Be sure that you understand the mission and goals of your organization. They should be provided in writing to board members and shared with all staff and volunteers. 
2. Governance Documents: Each board member should receive and read the Articles of Organization and Bylaws. These two high-level governance documents provide essential information about required meetings, terms of office, and other responsibilities. 
3. Legal Responsibilities: In Massachusetts, board members have the legal duties of care and loyalty. The duty of care requires that board members ensure the prudent use of all assets and provide financial oversight. The duty of loyalty is the responsibility to act in the interests of the nonprofit organization, those it serves, and those donating funds. Board members are to ensure that the nonprofit's activities and transactions are advancing its mission, and they must recognize and disclose conflicts of interest.
4. Requirements for Your Organization’s Board: A board member agreement or contract can ensure that all board members and the organization’s staff leadership are clear on their commitments to each other. A written agreement helps ensure accountability for all parties and makes addressing problems easier. You can see a sample board member agreement here.
5. Key Programs and Performance Metrics: Board members’ responsibilities include monitoring the effectiveness of the organization so each board member should be familiar with the organization’s programs and strategies. Key metrics for success, which can be tied to the organization’s goals or key elements of your programs, enable staff and board members to see how the organization is doing on an ongoing basis. This might include data like the number of animals served, the number of pet adoptions, or active volunteers. Monitoring key metrics can help you find solutions before a bigger problem develops. 
6. Financial Reports: Board members are responsible for the financial and ethical well-being of the organization so it’s essential that they have a solid grasp of the current financial status of the organization. Hence, board members must receive current financial reports (often monthly, but at least quarterly) and the Form 990 that is filed with the IRS each year. Many board members do not know how to read financial reports, so it is a good idea for the treasurer to review these documents with the board periodically and teach each new board member how to read them. There’s also information online about which reports you need and how to read them. 
7. Fundraising Plan: To be successful, every organization needs a development or fundraising plan. Since part of the work of the board involves helping to ensure adequate resources, this often involves board participation and support in efforts to raise funds. 
8. Key Messaging: Part of being a board member is serving as an ambassador in the community and helping to elevate public awareness of the organization’s work. To be effective, board members should be provided with the organization’s key messaging and communication priorities. 
9. Differences between Board and Staff Roles: The board’s role is governance; the staff’s role is management. The Board sets high-level policy; the Executive Director (ED) or CEO implements policy and oversees operations. That individual should be empowered to make decisions on how things get done. The Board hires and evaluates the ED or CEO who in turn hires and manages all other staff. In smaller or younger organizations, it is not unusual for board members to also fill volunteer roles, even roles that would typically be paid staff roles. The best way to handle this is for board members to view their volunteer work as separate and apart from their role as a board member. It’s helpful to keep in mind that the board of directors has authority as a body – not as individuals – and the board speaks with one voice. When a board member is in their volunteer role, they should respect all policies, defer to staff or volunteer leaders, and act as they would expect other volunteers to act. It is important to not throw your weight around because you also sit on the board. 
10. Role of the Board: Problems occur both when board members over-step and when they are disengaged and uniformed. Here is the role of the board in a nutshell. The board:

• Governs the organization by establishing the direction of the organization and broad, high-level policies. (This does not include deciding how everything will be done.)
• Is responsible for its financial, ethical, and legal integrity, including ensuring adequate financial resources by helping to fundraise, compliance with laws and policies, and providing financial oversight.
• Hires, provides support to, and monitors the performance of the ED or CEO.
• Monitors the organization’s performance and ensures effective planning for the future. 
• Builds and maintains a competent board, which includes assessing their own performance and recruiting new board members.
• Enhances the organization’s public standing by engaging in appropriate advocacy & outreach.

If your board of directors or organization is facing a challenge or if this article raises questions for you, we are happy to plan a free call to discuss your situation and offer support and advice. Each organization has their own unique challenges, and we are happy to talk yours through with you. Email me any time at bbrown@humanenetwork.org to plan a call.

AniMatch Success Story

Sheldon arrived at Baypath through AniMatch, a networking program developed by the Massachusetts Animal Coalition (MAC). AniMatch works to ensure each animal in need has the greatest outcome possible by connecting animal welfare organizations across the state, each with their own unique resources. Thousands of animals have been helped by AniMatch, including happy-go-lucky senior Sheldon!

Upcoming Educational Opportunites from

The Community Cats Podcast

As always, The Community Cats Podcast has incredible content on the way.  Click on the link below to see what's coming up including:

• Return to Home Day
• Colony Caretaking Tips and Tricks
• Neighborhood Cats Trapper Certification Workshop
• 2022 Online Fundraising Day
• 2022 Online Diversity Day

Great Foster Care Documents

for Cats

Click image for PDF

Click here for Excel Version

Maddie's Candid Conversations

New Podcast Alert!

Sometimes listening is easier than watching, which is exactly what you can do with Maddie’s Candid Conversations series. Available where ever you get your podcasts, you can now listen to conversations between influential animal well-being leaders and Maddie's Fund's, Mary Ippoliti-Smith. You will be inspired by each speaker’s pathway to promoting equity, inclusion and diversity in their daily work.

WEBINAR: Supported Self-Rehoming Without Surrendering: Setting Up Supportive Services with Safety and Success

Wednesday, September 14 at 6pm EST

Join for an info-packed webinar where our speakers, Kaycey Adair from Greenville County Animal Services, Ana De Luccia from Adopt-A-Pet and Lucy Fernandez from Austin Pets Alive!, will highlight how organizations can begin offering supported self-rehoming options to pet parents who need it. They’ll also discuss ways to utilize social media and other technology solutions that fit your organization's needs, and best practices for communicating these programs to stakeholders and your community. Don’t miss it!

Get a Certificate in Animal Shelter Management OR Animal Behavior

Course #1:

Shelter Animal Behavior Certificate Course

The next online Animal Shelter Behavioral Management Certificate Course through the University of the Pacific starts on September 26, 2022. 

This course is taught by Certified Animal Behavior Consultant and Shelter Behavior Specialist Kelley Bollen, MS, CABC who also serves as the Director of Humane Network's Alive & Thriving program.

This 8-week certificate course will give you the knowledge and skills to develop an effective behavior program at your shelter aimed at improving the welfare of the animals in your care. For more information and to register click button below.

Course #2:

Animal Shelter Management Certificate Program

Also starting on September 26, 2022 is the next online Animal Shelter Management Certificate Program through the University of the Pacific.

This award-winning online certificate program, developed and managed by Humane Network, provides practical information and valuable networking for current sheltering professionals, those looking to advance their career, or move into the field of animal sheltering. Courses include leadership, shelter operations, community program development, animal health & clinic operations, and marketing & development. 

Each of the five online courses are six weeks long and offered sequentially. The entire program is about seven months long. All five must be completed to get a certificate.

The program awards CEUs through both the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement CAWA program and the Center for Professional and Continuing Education at the University of the Pacific. For more information and to register click button below.