Duce is a handsome 4-year-old pit bull terrier mix who was adopted and returned through no fault of his own. He loves being with his people and prefers to be the only pet so he can soak up all their attention. Duce gets anxious when he’s alone and will need someone who can help ease him into crate training and provide him with plenty of enrichment.

Duce likes playing with toys – especially his Kong ball – and is neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. Are you the right person to bring out the best in this loyal, love-a-bull boy?

It’s Volunteer Appreciation Week and Danville-Boyle County Humane Society (DBCHS) is blessed to have teams of dedicated volunteers with Happy Paws, our low-cost spay/neuter clinic, and Mutts With Manners, the dog training program at Northpoint Training Center.

Happy Paws was established in 2007 to provide low-cost spay/neuter services to our community. Other than the vet and vet tech, the clinic runs solely on volunteer power. On an average surgery day, they need at least 15 people to care for the many animals they treat. Never mind keeping up with the voicemails, appointment scheduling, record-keeping, and more – it takes a lot to run a clinic!

Big thanks to the program director Katie Turbyfill and her pawsome team: Dorothy Apple, Jennifer Back, Carla Bates, Charlotta Bright Norby, Bettie Byrd, Kathy Crown-Weber, Neil Eklund, Mary Beth Gay, Laurie Hood, Anita Jacobs, Cathy Jerome, Nancy Ketelhohn, Paula Meckes, Beth Minor, Bettie Poland, Brian Reynolds, Julie Rodes and Rachel White. Happy Paws has fixed 16,344 pets since opening!

Mutts With Manners was launched in 2009 and provides training for dogs that need a little extra structure to become their best selves. The dogs graduate with an AKC Canine Good Citizen certification and make excellent companions for their adopters! Dog trainer Cheri Carbone spearheads the program alongside dedicated volunteers Charlotta Bright-Norby, Mary Broyles, Dan Fulks, Gina Hunter, and Beth Neff, who coordinate with the prison staff, shuttle the dogs back and forth, screen the many applications, and handle meet and greets with potential adopters.

Over the years hundreds of Mutts With Manners dogs have been trained and ultimately adopted into loving homes!

DBCHS so appreciates the people who give their time, talent, and treasure to Happy Paws and Mutts with Manners, as well as the countless others who have previously volunteered. The humane society is refreshing its volunteer program and developing new ways to engage people in our lifesaving work. Keep an eye out for ways you can get involved!

About us: DBCHS is a non-profit 501 (c)(3)  established in 1972 to promote companion animals’ humane treatment through sheltering, adoptions, community education, and spay and neuter programs.