Humane Society of Berks County, PA

This is my personal experience chronicling the transformation of the Berks County Humane Society over the past 12 years.

I headed a dog rescue organization for four years; I worked with other agencies like shelters, breed rescues, and humane societies. I’ve visited many facilities, and I have seen a complete transformation of our local Humane Society of Berks County (HSBC) over the past 12 years. The Society is located on N. 11th Street in Reading, PA, 19604.

Anyone who has looked into rescuing a dog from an animal rescue/humane society will recognize the sights, sounds and smells of the old chain link kennels: barking, howling dogs; bad odors, overcrowded conditions; frightened cats and cowering dogs; and the feeling of being surrounded by an overworked staff.

Some folks get so emotionally upset over seeing pitiful, whining animals in “unclean” concrete kennels that might get euthanized any day, they don’t ever want to go back. I have seen visitors/potential adopters crying in the parking lots of such places.

About 10 years ago, I met the head of the HSBC, Lindy Scholar, while I was rescuing dogs myself. Lindy was enthusiastic and warm, an obvious animal lover. She gave me a tour of the existing facilities. She told me that Reading had a problem with dog bites and pit bull fighting so they could not re-home pit bulls. (Reading had an “Aggressive Breed Ordinance” at the time, which was targeted to control ownership of pit bulls. Most pits were put down because of public feelings, space limitations, and a tight budget.) But she proudly showed me a pit bull puppy in a pen in the back room, out of public view, that would easily be adoptable outside the area. That particular pup was going to a NY rescue.

For insight into the mindset and optimism of the personnel: There was a snarling, dirty, heavily-matted dog in a separate, large, caged pen that all workers could walk around. Lindy tried to approach it, and it growled ferociously and looked like it was foaming around its mouth. She said that was its third day there. The workers would approach and talk to the stray dog gently, but they couldn’t get close enough to cut the dangling rope off its neck. They hoped to bring it around and give it a second chance.

At that time, the facts of shelter life for the animals was rather obvious. Chain link kennels and hard, cold concrete floors were everywhere. The old beige and yellowish walls were not welcoming. Loud barking and pitiful cries from caged dogs surrounded us so it was hard to talk above the noise. You could feel sadness, bleakness, and a bit of hopelessness. Part of the Society’s duties at the time was to “play dog catcher” and handle strays, abused and neglected animals.

The staff appeared to be working hard against heavy odds. Many of the animals in their care had known “expiration dates.” The cat area was equally non-cheerful, despite the best efforts by the staff and Lindy’s contagious optimism about more good days than bad days. They shared “successful adoption stories” with enthusiasm.

Lindy Scholar died unexpectedly in 2004, and Karel Minor took over as Executive Director. Looking over the existing reality and future of the Society, Mr. Minor set out a new vision and mission for the HSBC for five years, beginning in 2005.

According to its own history, presented by the former Board President, Terry Reed, the Society strengthened its programs and services, revitalized the board of directors, and kicked in the new strategies.

In 2005, the Cat Adoption Center (same location) opened with group habitats; lighted, individual glass enclosures; and a cozy seating area for potential adopters to visit the cats. The society extended pet health care to the public, offered a 30-day health guarantee on adopted pets, and a sliding scale fee for financially stressed owners.

In 2008, the HSBC transformed the main building area— including the cat complex and the LaVigna Dog Adoption Center–into a state-of-the-art facility and renamed it the “Lindy Scholar Center.” They purchased a new Mobile Vet and Adoption Center, a 30-foot vehicle fully equipped for veterinary needs, with the ability to reach out to the public at different, pre-disclosed locations.

The dog center is classy– with HVAC air-conditioning units that freshen and filter the air at hospital rates; heated floors; and dogs that are separated by solid walls with glass fronts so visitors can see without touching (or spreading diseases) and barking is muffled.

Each dog has its own “habitat,” with a water bowl, blanket and a toy or two. The canine residents appear happy and much less stressed. Every dog has a guillotine-style door leading to the outside, with an overhang covering all the kennel runs. There are visitation rooms for potential adopters and their own pets. Everything is clean, relatively quiet, and there are no noxious odors.

Since Reading’s “aggressive breed ordinance” was overturned by the court in 2008 (state laws prevailed), a few pit bulls are adopted every week.

HSBC volunteers must take a 1.5 hour orientation class before beginning work. The upbeat, helpful staff and optimistic, less-stressed workers make for a much-more-pleasant adoption experience. The Society has not had to euthanize a healthy cat or dog since 2007. This dissolves a lot of tension in the staff, which is likely passed on to the animals. The “atmosphere” is much lighter, airier and happier.

Potential adopters must complete a screening form, with proof of identity and address. They ask for a vet’s name and basic background information before you can meet a dog. (You can look at the animals any time, but you can’t handle the dogs unless you’ve been approved as a prospect.) They keep the paperwork on file for 3 months.

They do call vets, landlords and references before you adopt, and ask adopters to allow one hour for the process on adoption day. (Our previous paperwork expired after 3 months so we just did the process again. We appreciate their conscientiousness.) They ask that you bring all family members and other dogs to the center for a “meet and greet” before taking a dog home.

We have gone to the BCHS five times to search for a pal for our adopted border collie mix. We haven’t found the right one, yet, but the experience is pleasant. It is easy to walk away from content dogs that look like they are in homes-away-from home, boarding kennel style. We have watched the new dogs come in with the (at least) weekly, online updates at www.berkshumane.org ; adopted pets are usually listed the same day.

Every dog we have considered has been adopted within 3 days. They won’t “hold” a pet and the whole family needs to go, so you really need to take quick action if you spot the “right dog” for you. They do follow-up phone calls after adoptions to make sure all is well.

The BCHS has just taken in a couple dozen dogs from a hoarder, in cooperation with other agencies. Trainers and volunteers are working with the dogs to make them as adoptable as possible in the shortest amount of time. All dogs are vetted, given necessary vaccinations, are de-wormed, micro-chipped, and spayed/neutered before adoption.

Adoption fees for dogs under one year old are $125; 1-7 years old are $90, and dogs over 8 years old are “Free To A Great Home.” (That started with cats in 2005 and the program has been a huge success.) Cat adoption fees are $75 for under one year old, $50 for 1 – 10 years, and free for cats 11 years and older.

Fees include a 30-day adoption health guarantee, with the above inclusions, plus a 4# bag of Science Diet Pet food. The health guarantee is for URI’s, kennel cough, diarrhea or vomiting due to infectious origin, intestinal parasites, common skin disorders, ear and eye infections, and suture removal – if required – following sterilization surgery.

We are waiting for the right dog for us (and our choosy border collie). We look forward to working with the Humane Society of Berks County to help us find the right match.

Sources:

Humane Society of Berks County: Adopt! Http://www.berkshumane.org/adoption/adoption.asp.

“HSBC History,” Terry Scott Reed, former Board President of the Humane Society of Berks County. Http://www.berkshumane.org/about/about_history.asp.

“Mission and Vision,” of the HSBC. Http://www.berkshumane.org/about/about_mission.asp.

Pictures of state-of-the-art Cat Adoption Center: http://www.berkshumane.org/news2.asp.

Pictures of state-of-the-art Dog Adoption Center: http://www.berkshumane.org/adoption/adopt_dogcenter.asp.