berkeley county paw print - Berkeley County Humane Society

BERKELEY COUNTY PAW PRINT
By Silke Crosbie
Dear Paw Print Readers,
Everyone at BCHS is very excited
this month because our first annual
WOOF FEST, DOG WALK and
FAMILY FUN FEST is just around the
corner. We invite everybody to join
us to spend a fun filled day with your
family and friends (furry and not so
furry) at our shelter on May 20, 2012,
starting at 10 am! There are tons of
activities waiting for you, your
children and dogs. Since we will be
partying for 6 hours we offer plenty
of food and drinks for you to
purchase. ALL PROCEEDS WILL
BENEFIT OUR SPAY/NEUTER
PROGRAM! Read more about our
festival in this magazine or call the
shelter for more information. We
hope to see you all there!
For everybody who has not met us
yet we would like to introduce the
two legged BCHS pack to you this
month. Please stop by to visit our
animals and greet the friendly staff of
BCHS.
We hope that our newsletter will
keep you informed and in touch with
our programs.
B er k e le y C ou n t y Hu m a n e S oc i et y
An Eastern Panhandle United Way Agency
CFC #25512
Issue
May 2012
Opening hours:
Mon-Sat
10:00am - 4:30pm
* On Sundays & Holidays, the shelter is
closed for all business and animal
visitations.
How you can help
spread the word- or
simply stay in touch:
 Join us on facebook

Visit our website:
www.berkeley.wvhumane.com
 Stop by:
UNTIL EVERY PET HAS A
HOME… please join us in saving
lives, one animal at a time.
If you would like to become a
member of the Berkeley County
Humane Society and support our
shelter, there are three types of
membership:
Regular: only $20/year
Lifetime: only $300
Memorial/Honor Board: only $500
Fill out a membership application (for
your convenience you can download
it from our website), make your check
payable, and mail it to: Berkeley
County Humane Society, 554 Charles
Town Rd., Martinsburg, WV 25405.
554 Charlestown Road in
Martinsburg, WV 25405
 Give us a ring:
(304) 267-8389
INTERESTING NUMBERS:
HOMELESS
CATS IN* :
235
HOMELESS
DOGS IN* :
101
CATS
ADOPTED* :
55
DOGS
ADOPTED* :
62
DOGS SENT
TO RESCUE*:
16
CATS SENT
TO RESCUE*:
11
BCHS UNLEASHED:
*For April 2012
The Berkeley County Humane Society was founded almost 100 years ago in 1915 and
chartered in 1943 (check out the pictures in our lobby!). It all started with that little
building in front of our fenced in outside dog run. BCHS is a private, nonprofit
organization that shelters hundreds of homeless, abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats
from Berkeley County and surrounding areas every year. The humane society receives no
city, county, state or federal money. Approximately 6% of the operating cost is subsidized
by United Way of the Eastern Panhandle. The shelter must rely on donations, bequests
and fund raising activities for the other 94% of its operating budget. BCHS is being
operated by 4 board members, 9 employees, Doctor Briardo Reich, DVM (who spays and
neuters on Thursdays and Saturdays), Steve Demick (our contractor and all around talent)
and 20+ volunteers. BCHS is newly renovated. Steve Demick helped design the new
facility and finished building it in February 2011. There are now 28 dog runs, 31 clean cat
cages, an airy cat playroom, a spay/neuter clinic with a recovery room, a Bow Wow room,
a dog bath and a fenced in outside dog run … and more to come.
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MAY’S MOST TAILWAGGING STORY AT BCHS:
Buster and Sissy are two beautiful snow white, 4 months old kittens with gorgeous eyes. They came from the
nd
same litter. On March 2 , 2012, they were brought to our shelter. Everybody at BCHS fell in love with Sissy and
Buster right away. They were sweet and friendly and loved to be petted and played with. They were very affectionate
little fur balls. Sissy, being the sister, was the calm one. She often walked up to us asking for attention. Buster was
more rambunctious and mischievous. During the day they had fun playing in our cat playroom with the other cats,
meeting visitors and sitting at the window sill watching their “bird TV”. By nighttime they were ready to snuggle up in
their cages. They enjoyed life so much one could not tell that they were deaf. Buster’s and Sissy’s world may be
quiet, but it is full of colors, vibrancy, touch and smell. Since we knew, living with a deaf pet can be a challenge we
were concerned about finding the right home for them in a timely manner. It takes time, persistence, and patience for
both owner and the deaf pet to know each other and learn to "speak" each other's language. We couldn’t have been
anymore happier when Buster and Sissy got adopted after spending 4 weeks with us. Even though they don’t live
together anymore, we are sure they are going to have a wonderful life ahead of them filled with lots of love and
cuddles. It's true... Good things come to those who wait. Good luck, sweet Sissy and Buster!
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU!
IT’S AFFORDABLE:
Join us on
Facebook!
1.371 fans
and counting!
“Our perfect
companions never
have fewer than four
feet.”
~ Colette
Spay and neuter programs are the key
to success in solving the pet
overpopulation problem. BCHS offers
an affordable discount program for all
Berkeley County Residents. Just
complete an application for financial
spay/ neuter assistance. For your
convenience you can download it from
our website:
www.berkeley.wvhumane.com, or pick
it up at our shelter.
It’s good to know that the adoption
fee of our pets includes the spay/
neuter service. Doctor Briardo
Reich, DVM will do the surgery in
our onsite Evelyn Kilmer Spay and
Neuter Clinic on Thursdays and
Saturdays.
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DID YOU KNOW?

According to a 2006 study published in the
Journal of the American Veterinary
Medical Association, chained dogs are 2.8
times more likely to bite.

Children under 15 years of age are the
most common victims, making up
approximately 70 percent of all dog bite
victims.
UNCHAIN ME!
ITEMS OUR SHELTER ALWAYS NEEDS:
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The Berkeley County Humane Society would
like to thank JUDY MAYS (widow of Ken
Mays) for her very generous donation of
$1,000! With that money we were able to spay
20 female cats at no cost to their owners.
Judy has been a faithful supporter of BCHS,
and we very much appreciate her kindness!
If you know Judy, please, thank her for caring!
Many of us have experienced the love, companionship, and joy of sharing our homes and
our lives with a companion animal. Sadly, some people still do not realize that it is an
utter act of cruelty to make a dog—a creature who innately craves social
companionship—live out his or her existence at the end of a chain.
The practice not only is inhumane but also poses a threat to the safety of the
chained dog, other animals, and humans as well.
Many chained dogs spend their lives connected to a six-foot or shorter chain.
Under these limited conditions, dogs are forced to eat, drink, urinate, defecate,
and sleep with no respite or companionship.
Feeling vulnerable and threatened on a daily basis, many chained dogs will lunge
at anything that goes by them, and thus, pose a serious danger to other animals
and children. Furthermore, the constant lunging often causes the dog’s collar to
tear into the skin and can, in some cases, become imbedded in the dog’s neck.
Chained dogs are caught in a vicious cycle. The longer they stay chained, the
less likely they are to have human companionship, thereby making it more
difficult to handle them. The more difficult they become, the less likely a human
will want to engage with them. They are caught in a downward spiral, not of their
own making.
Dogs are relying on us to give them the best chance for a normal canine life. If you want
to have a dog in your life, please be a responsible owner. Keep your dog inside your
home. He or she is a member of your family.
Dog food (brown only, please)
Puppy food ( brown only, please)
Cat food (brown only, please)
Kitten food (brown only, please)
Cat litter (non scoop-able type, please)
Paper towels
Bleach
Laundry soap, dish detergent
Towels, comforters, blankets e.t.c.
Pet Grooming supplies (shampoos, brushes,
clippers, trimmers, blow dryers)
Pet toys (tennis balls are always a big hit
with the dogs)
Dog Collars, bandanas (to look pretty)
Vinegar
Flea shampoos/ or treatments (no flea
collars, please)
Dawn
Pine Sol
Milk bones
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VOLUNTEERING AT BERKELEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY:
DO YOU LOVE ANIMALS?
There are very few jobs that
give you lots of contact with
animals. BCHS would
welcome your help in caring
for orphaned pets. The
process to volunteer is
simple. Please contact the
volunteer coordinator on
Saturdays between 10:00
and 4:00 and fill out a
volunteer application. We
always need feline cuddlers,
canine companion/ walkers
and all around talents!
CAN I HELP OUR HELPERS?
What Do Dogs Say With Their Tails?
Most dogs speak clearly with their bodies; many humans need some help with the translation. To understand what
a dog is communicating, look at more than one body part, and at the body as a whole. Body weight forward
indicates likely approach; body weight back suggests the dog would prefer to retreat. The higher a dog carries
himself, and the stiffer and more tense his muscles, the more amped he is. A tense dog isn’t necessarily about to
aggress, but proceed with caution.
1.
2.
3.
4.
What Does A Tense Tail Mean? A high, tense body often goes with a high, tight, stiff tail held in a C
curve. But all curved tails are not alike. And there’s a good rule of thumb: the stiffer and more still the dog
and his tail, the more careful you should be. Avoid engagement until you see the dog relax.
Does A Wagging Tail Mean A Dog Is Happy? Stay back from a tense, high-standing dog whose tight,
high tail is moving slowly back and forth. That is the classic “But he was wagging his tail!” position; a dog
who’s approached when sending this offensive signal is probably going to lunge, at the very least, if you
come closer.
E Happy Tails Look Like? A friendly wag often involves the dog’s whole back end. Her tail
What Do
moves sweepingly back and forth. If she’s really excited, she may even wag in big, fast circles.
What About A Lowered Tail? Sometimes it just means that the dog is super relaxed. But a dog, whose
tail is clamped down, maybe even tucked between his back legs, is not having a good time. Dogs also lower
their tails when afraid.
Tail amputation for cosmetic purposes is banned in several countries but still routine in the United States for
many breeds. Obviously, it’s harder to read a tail that isn’t there; the best you can do is watch the position and
movement of the stump.
d work your way down. Be careful not to get water or shampoo in your cat's ears or eyes. You will only need a
VOLUNTEERING CAN ADVANCE YOUR CARRER
very small amount of shampoo. If you apply too much you will have to rinse longer. If you are treating fleas,
then you will want to follow the directions on the flea shampoo
at thisconsidering
point.
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Job at BCHS: Dog walker/ companion. 7. Dry her off, offer a treat and put your cat cuddling skills planning
to use. on changing careers, volunteering gives
Why do you choose to volunteer? I’ve
you the opportunity to practice important skills
Where is your hometown? I was born in
used in the workplace, such as teamwork,
always loved dogs … and always said that
upstate Pennsylvania where I spent the first
communication, problem solving, project planning,
when I retire, I want to walk dogs at a
19 years of my life. Then I lived in
task management, and organization. You might
shelter.
feel more comfortable stretching your wings at
Plattsburgh, NY for 29 years. 1993 I moved
work once you’ve honed these skills in a volunteer
What
keeps
you
motivated?
…the
little
to Martinsburg.
position first.
kisses and hugs and affection each pup
Do you own any pets? At the moment I
gives in their unique way…seeing a pup
don’t have any pets, even though I am a big
that is afraid and then begins to trust
dog lover. Two years ago, my beloved
f the content you put in your newsletter can
people…making a different in the dogs
yellow Labrador Retriever Forest passed
also be used for your Web site. Microsoft
lives.
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away. Forest was supposed to be a working
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to convert your
Hoursoffers
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Has this service helped or changed you?
dog for customs. We fostered him as a
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MEMORIAL
Volunteering at the humane society has
puppy. When the vet diagnosed him with a
you’re finished writing your newsletter,
at
the
BCHS
for
BBQ
WILL BE
really given me a perspective regarding
hip problem he disqualified for his job. We
convert it to a Web site and post it.
MON,
MAY
the month of
the number of dogs and cats that become
then adopted him.
28,
2012
April 2012!
homeless and an appreciation of the value
Family: I live with my husband Robert. I
STARTING AT
in "rescuing" a homeless animal.
have three children and four grandsons in
3pm!
NY, Colorado and TX.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
215
Volunteers play a variety of roles at the BCHS, helping with
everything from dog walking and cat socialization to cleaning and
even gardening. Some volunteers work behind the scenes; assisting
with fundraising duties, grant proposals, art and website design,
and transporting materials. No matter what the contribution is—
time, money, expertise, love—the shelter sincerely appreciates
everything our volunteers do for our animals.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Y’ALL!
… And an even happier year ahead!
MAY 2012
To:
Thomas Quick
Sylvia Lowe
Dan Kroske
From all of the BCHS staff members and
our dogs and cats!
On behalf of our animals, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
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MISSION STATEMENT OF THE BERKELEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY:
HILLBILLY DAILILIES
Do you love Daylilies? If so, you must see
the fields of thousands of beautiful daylilies
at Hillbilly Daylilies located in Bunker Hill,
WV. Be sure to bring your camera to capture
the breathtaking few. There are plenty of just
dug out bright daylilies for you to choose
from, if you wish to purchase them.
Every year in July Hillbilly Daylilies
presents their annual BLOOMIN BASH
festival which benefits the Berkeley County
Humane Society.
If you would like to register for one of their
workshops, you can do so online or by phone.
Hillbilly Daylilies
1105 Giles Mill Rd., Bunker Hill, WV 25413.
Phone: 304.229.6698
www.HillbillyDaylilies.com
PIZZA OVEN SPONSORS BCHS
Go ahead and enjoy a relaxing evening with some
lip smacking good food and refreshing drinks at the
Pizza Oven. Located in the Food Lion Plaza at
4803 Gerrardstown Rd, Inwood, WV 25428. This
family owned restaurant is the sponsor of the yearly
South Berkeley Christmas Parade 5K Race/Walk
which benefits our shelter. For more information
about Pizza Oven’s hours, menu and specials call
(304) 229-6701.
The Society exists to promote the humane treatment and placement of
homeless or unwanted dogs and cats in the Eastern Panhandle of West
Virginia with special emphasis on Berkeley County.
Berkeley County Humane Society’s purpose is:
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Maintain a shelter for stray and owner-relinquish animals
Make every reasonable effort to find caring homes for animals
entrusted to its care, consistent with Society resources.
Provide for the humane euthanization of animals when medical
necessary or shelter population exceeds the available resources for
housing and caring for animals hygienically.
Accept as members, for an annual fee, all persons or organizations
who/which support the Society’s work.
Accept donations of money, supplies, and services from individuals
and organizations who/which support the Society’s work.
Cooperate with other organizations, including State and local
governments, with interest in the humane care of animals.
Undertake community services activities, including education
programs.
SUPPORT OUR SPAY AND
NEUTER PROGRAM, SPREAD
THE WORD AND BE STYLISH!
We are selling wristbands that support
our spay/neuter program for only $2.
Purchase a wristband in a color of your
choice today! All proceeds are going to
the program.
SHOPPING FOR OUR PAWS
BCHS OFFERS PRIVATE PET CREMATION
With 949 online stores iGive.com allows you
to support our shelter with a percentage of
your online shopping. Join Free. IGive.com
will donate at least $10. $5 for using iGive &
$5 for your 1st purchase. The donations keep
growing as you keep shopping.
The death of a beloved pet is never an easy thing for a family to go
through. At that moment decisions sometimes have to be made in a
hurry. If you consider having your pet cremated the Berkeley County
Humane Society is now offering private pet cremations. Your pet will
be picked-up, cremated and their ashes will be placed in a handmade
wooden urn with care. Advise your veterinarian that you would like to
have cremation services conducted by the Berkeley County Humane
Society or call us at (304)267-8389 for more details.
BIG BUCKS BINGO SUPPORTS BCHS
If you enjoy playing bingo and want to
support the Humane Society, visit Big
Bucks Bingo located in the Berkeley Plaza
on Rt. 11 North. BCHS is one of its
sponsors. On the first Saturday of every
month they hold a Super Bingo which
benefits the shelter.
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The cremation cost is:
 Under 100 lb = $150.00
 Over 100 lb = $200.00
 Cremation only with no ashes
returned
= $75.00
The Berkeley County Humane Society appreciates all the
donations made in memory of a deceased loved one and all those
made in honor of one. We have one request though… Could you
please include the address of a family member to notify of this
donation? There are times when we don’t know where to send a
notification card to. Thank you very much!
2012 Woof Fest Dog Walk
Come and join us for our dog walk May 20th, 2012 at 10
am at our shelter! This is a lot of fun for the whole
family!
Don’t worry if you don’t have a dog to bring. Selected
furry friends from the shelter will be standing by for
you to walk. Please register to participate as soon as
possible. The registration fee is $10.00 for each two
footed walker.
ALL PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT THE BERKELEY
COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY’S SPAY/ NEUTER
PROGRAM!
Ask friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers to
sponsor you in the walk and fill out a Fetch Sponsorship
Donation Pledge Form. All “tails” will receive a bandana
and goodie bag filled with surprises for the walker and
their “tail” friend. Top pledge getter receives a surprise
gift package. At check in each dog will receive a
bandana, goodie bag and the directions for the dog walk
route. Water stations will be provided along the route
for pets and their walkers. Stay for dog contests, more
fun activities and good food afterwards.
Please ask the friendly BCHS staff for more details and
rules about this fun event. Call them at (304) 267-8389
or stop by. We are located at 554 Charles Town Road,
Martinsburg, WV 25401.
TO ALL PARTY ANIMALS:
BERKELEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY presents its
First Annual Woof Fest, Dog Walk and
Family Fun Fest!
May 20, 2012, 10am-4pm at our
shelter
There will be lots of fun and prizes for all two legged
and four legged party animals of all ages. Bring a lawn
chair or a blanket and join all the fun activities such as
Dunking Booth, Moon Bounce, Bean Bag Throw, Lollipop
Tree, Duck Retrieval, Balloon Darts, Face Painting,
Ceramic Painting, Fresh Popped Corn, Rockhill Creamery
Ice Cream, Hot Dogs, Bake Sale, dog grooming station,
contests, and of course the dog walk starting at 10am.
PAW PRINT YOUR CALENDAR
NATIONAL PET WEEK
May 6-12, 2012
Visit www.petweek.org for ideas on how to
celebrate national pet week.
FIRST ANNUAL WOOF FEST DOG WALK
AND FAMILY FUN FEST. ALL ACTIVITIES
WILL BE @ BCHS, 554 Charles Town Rd.
Sun May 20, 2012
Dog Walk registration starts @ 10am
Family Fun Day starts @ 12pm to 4pm
NATIONAL DOG BITE PREVENTION WEEK
May 20-26, 2012
There are a number of things that you can do to avoid dog bites.
You can find more information at www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite/
NATIONAL HUG YOUR CAT DAY
Wed, May 30, 2012
Go ahead and give your cat a big, furry hug.
PURCHASE A WRISTBAND for $2.00 AT BCHS
TO SUPPORT OUR SPAY/NEUTER PROGRAM
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May 2012
SPAY/NEUTER TODAY!
Berkeley County Humane Society promotes spaying and neutering your pet.
Thousands of orphaned animals come to shelters every year. The only way to prevent unwanted litters is to
have your animal spayed or neutered.
Contrary to popular belief, spaying and neutering will not lead to a fat, lazy pet. It will actually provide
many health benefits for your furry companion. They are less likely to exhibit problems with aggression,
spraying or marking territory, roaming and fighting. Spayed cats and dogs do not suffer from uterine or
ovarian cancer and have a markedly reduced incidence of breast cancer. Neutered males eliminate
problems from testicular and prostate cancer. Spaying and neutering benefits everyone—you, your pet and
the community.
BCHS offers a very affordable spay/neuter assistant program for all Berkeley County residents!
For your convenience you may choose to take your pet to Ark Animal Center in Hedgesville, WV or
Inwood Animal Center in Inwood, WV. Fill out a spay/neuter assistant application, which is available for
you at the shelter or on our webpage, today. 8 REASONS TO SPAY/NEUTER YOUR PET
1. Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast
cancer.
2. Neutering your male companion prevents testicular
cancer, if done before six months of age.
3. Your spayed female won't go into heat.
4. Your male dog won't want to roam away from
home.
5. Your neutered male will be much better behaved.
6. The cost of your pet's spay/neuter surgery is a lot
less than the cost of having and caring for a litter.
7. Spaying and neutering packs a powerful punch in
reducing the number of animals on the streets.
8. Spaying and neutering helps fight pet
overpopulation.
The neuter/spay fee is as followed:
Feline Neuter
Feline Spay*
$30.00
$40.00
Canine Neuter
Canine Spay*
<20 lbs. $40.00
>20 lbs. $50.00
Canine Neuter
Canine Spay*
<50 lbs. $50.00
>50 lbs. $60.00
Canine Neuter
Canine Spay*
50+ lbs. $60.00
50+ lbs. $70.00
Canine Neuter
Canine Spay*
75+ lbs. $80.00
75+ lbs. $90.00
*Please don’t wait until your female pet is in heat as there is an extra fee (not
supplemented by BCHS) charged, which the pet owner will be responsible
for.
BCHS is able to help pet owner in getting their pets spayed/neutered through special
funding. This program will be offered to the public as long as funds are available.
A WORD ABOUT CATNIP:
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR
FROM YOU!
Catnip, a member of the mint family, contains a
chemical that attract cats. When it's dried and
crushed, it gives off an odor that has a powerful effect
Do you have a funny,
heartwarming or touching story
about your pet to share? We
would love to hear it!
Join us on facebook (Berkeley
County Humane Society) and tell
us about it! Pictures of your pet
are welcomed as well!
on some (though not all) cats.
Catnip is safe, and your cat won't get addicted to it.
Keep a plastic container of dried catnip on hand to
give to your kitty, or you could even grow some.
Some cats can get over-stimulated to the point of
aggressive play, while others just get relaxed. Genetics
determines if your cat is affected by catnip. The ones
that do react usually develop sensitivity to it when
they're about six months old.
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MEET THE BCHS’S TWO LEGGED PACK:
We are proud to provide a great group of BCHS board members, staff and 20+ volunteers (you can meet our
volunteers on page 3) all with a huge heart for animals, wealth of knowledge and a caring personality.
Name
Position
Hometown
Pets
Shari Persad:
President/ Board member
Martinsburg, WV
1 cat
Jo Ann Overington:
Treasurer/Board member
Clarksburg, WV
12 cats
Dorothy Roush:
Secretary/Board member
Chicago, Il
3 dogs
Wreatha Wageley:
Vice President/ Board
member
Hagerstown, MD
9 dogs, 3 cats
Briardo Reich, DVM:
Licensed veterinarian for
our spay/neuter clinic
Argentina
7 cats
Steve Demick:
Contractor,
CAET Technician
Buffalo, NY
5 dogs, 1 rabbit
Brandi Bowers:
Manager/ CAET Technician
Sevierville, TN
4 dogs, 4 cats
Joanne Griswold:
CAET Technician
Oneonta, NY
Pat Howard:
CAET Technician
Melissa Hepner:
PUT A NOTE NEXT
TO YOUR PHONE:

Animal Poison
Control Center:
1(888)426-4435

Mountain View
Animal Emergency:
(307)733-7339

Dept. of Natural
Resources:
(304) 558-2754

Baltimore, MD
6 dogs, 2 cats, 1
rabbit, 6 birds, 1fish
4 dogs, 4 cats
Berkeley County
Animal Control:
(304)263-4729
Kennel assistant
Sterling, VA
5 dogs, 5 cats

BCHS:
(304)267-8389
Michelle Hepner:
Spay/Neuter Clinic assistant
Sterling, VA
5 dogs, 5 cats
Brandi Fried:
Kennel assistant
Chambersburg, PA
1 dog
Courtney Demick:
Kennel assistant
Martinsburg, WV
5 dogs, 1 rabbit
Andrew Demick:
Spay/Neuter Clinic assistant
Martinsburg, WV
5 dogs, 1 rabbit
Silke Crosbie:
Volunteer coordinator,
Kennel assistant
Frankfurt,
Germany
3 dogs
HOW DOES THE ADOPTION PROCESS AT BCHS WORK?
Adopting an animal at BCHS is easy and affordable.
For your convenience BCHS is open Monday through Saturday from 10am until 4:30pm. The shelter gets new dogs and cats
almost on a daily basis. From playful kittens to good natured Labrador Retrievers; we get it all. Please stop by often to see if the just
perfect pet is waiting for you. The friendly and knowledgeable staff at BCHS will offer a one on one consultation to make sure you find
the right pet to fit your personality and lifestyle.
If you already own a pet we encourage you to bring him with you to meet and greet the new family member in our Bow Wow
room or at the outside dog run. To make it stress free for you, we offer same day adoption. The adoption fee for a dog is $80 and for a
cat it is $65 which includes the spay and neuter fee. We accept credit card and cash.
Some of our requirements are that you are 21 years of age and that you provide us with a current phone number and address
(P.O. Box is not acceptable). In case you rent, we need your landlord’s permission. Please bring his/her phone number with you. If you
are a senior citizen, please make sure you ask about our Purina Senior Citizen Pet Adoption Program which may offer a discount to
you. At the time of the adoption you will set up an appointment to bring your new pet back to our onsite Evelyn Kilmer Spay and Neuter
Clinic. Doctor Briardo Reich, DVM will do the surgery on Thursdays or Saturdays.
In case you don’t find the right pet for you at the time of your visit, you have the option to put your name on our “wish list”.
Also, you can check our website which has some of our animals that wait for a new home listed. We encourage everyone who wants
to adopt a pet to take advantage of our free consultation from our experienced staff to make sure you and your new pet are the right
match. The shelter staff can give you tips on how to properly care for your new furry companion and how to pet proof your home. We
want you and your new pet to be happy together!
To find out more about our adoption rules and regulations visit our website at www.berkeley.wvhumane.org or call us at (304) 2678389.
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