April 2011. This month we would like to highlight Jessica and Russ Place! Jessica and Russ began looking for an opportunity to give back after they adopted their dog “Louie” from the Atlanta Humane Society.  They both feel very strongly that it is important to do service because of their faith.  Happily, they found the Humane Society of Forsyth County about four years ago.

You can count on seeing Jessica and Russ at a dog adoption event at least once a month.  Jessica is one of the dog adoption team leads and is assisted in dog transport and adoptions by Russ.  Supporting adoptions is not the only place you will see this couple. Russ has dressed up as Santa for Pet Pictures with Santa and Jessica was an elf.  They have also volunteered at several fundraisers including a few Bark & Boogie Balls and Wags & Whiskers events.  Jessica is also one of the team leads for the Mutts & More Festival coming up on June 4.

The Places’ family includes three dogs Louie, Payton, and Annie (adopted from us) and two cats, Joe and Nicholas.  When asked why they volunteer and what they get out of the experience they replied that they feel that when they adopt a dog, the dog saves our life, not the other way around. Without our pets, there would be a lot less joy in our lives.

We are fortunate to have a giving couple like them as part of our volunteer community and with their mentoring we are hoping more couples like Jessica and Russ will grow to be the volunteer leaders. We hope you will join us in thanking Jess and Russ for all they do for the HSFC.

If you have a little free time and a lot of love in your heart, you could help us save even more animals! We are always looking for help at offsite adoption events and more. To get involved is easy…just contact us at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or come to volunteer orientation (see Calendar of Events for dates). 

Article by Yvette Matzek, Volunteer Chairperson