ARLINGTON, Vt. — There's a dog at Second Chance Animal Shelter who is anxiously waiting to explore the world with her new family.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Mace is a Plott hound, a coonhound breed, who is 3 to 4 years old. He has been at the shelter since September 2024.

Shelter manager Troy Quinn introduced us to Mace, saying he gets along with everyone.

"He was found as a stray by animal control. I think he kept getting loose on the owner, and unfortunately, they just didn't really have enough time for him," Quinn said. "They just kind of left him outside. But he's a very sweet boy. He loves everybody."

Mace would do best with someone who knows and loves hounds and how vocal they can be.

"His perfect home would be a hound lover, for sure, because they are quite vocal," he said. "You got to be used to the barking. He definitely loves walking, playing with his toys. He will go out and like bay at the woods and try to get the wildlife stirred up so he can chase it."

Because he likes to chase, he would do best without cats in the home as he finds them too fun to play with. He would also do best with a more submissive dog and older children since he can be jumpy.

He is very treat motivated and he loves to play with soft toys, making sure to tear them apart. He is eager to go on walks as well to explore.

"He loves to chew up his stuffed toys. He definitely likes being out in the woods and when there's not so much snow out. He loves walking the fields with our volunteers," Quinn said. "He does a little bit better with the no-pull harness."

He especially likes to explore wooded areas and would love someone who would do the same with him. 

"He's been just a really friendly, busy boy. He loves running around that yard, but he'd much rather be out in the woods," Quin said. "Pretty typical hound dog. He's loving. He's good for the vet, little bit wiggly."

At the end of the day he loves to snuggle up to you and look outside the window. Quinn said he would do well with anyone who is willing to put in the work for him.

"Anybody that's willing to work with them if they love hounds," he said. "He really is just a sweet, energetic boy."

Mace is sponsored by the Pet Connection.

If you think Mace might be the boy for you, reach out to Second Chance Animal Shelter and learn more about him on the website.

Second Chance Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. It is located at 1779 VT Route 7A. Contact the shelter at 802-375-2898 or info@2ndchanceanimalcenter.org.