Humane Society of Sumter County

01/30/2025

🌟 **Join Us at Brown’s Junk in the Trunk This Saturday!** 🌟

We're bringing a fantastic selection of treasures at unbeatable prices! Check out our beautiful bed sets and much more. Come visit us, find something special, and enjoy a great time! We can’t wait to see you!!!

01/29/2025

We’re ready to go nuts with the Mutts Gone Nuts Unleashed show tonight at the Savannah Center. If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, it’s nearly sold out, so come on by!

Sweethearts are welcomed to stop by our table for a Valentine’s token of our appreciation when making a donation.

01/26/2025

Who doesn’t love anything to do with Dolly Parton?!?! We all had a great time singing the theme song and watching the classic movie “9 to 5.”

As a courtesy post to our friends and sponsor Smash Productions, they have another amazing show coming to The Savannah Center that we don’t want you to miss! This is sure to be a sell out so get your tickets now at TheVillagesEntertainment.com. And once again the producers are generously helping two great local nonprofits!

01/24/2025

"Paws for the Cause" FUR BALL is a Collaboration of Community! Thank you Chief Parmer for supporting the animals in Sumter County! Our "Paws for the Cause" Fur Ball is April 12th at the Savannah Center! Join us for a dazzling evening * a silent auction, dinner, a salute to the K9s of Sumter County, a live auction, then head to the theatre for some visiting at the hi-tops and dancing with entertainment by Evolution Motown - it’s a collaboration of with the Wildwood Police Department, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office-Florida and Home2 Suites Wildwood/The Villages 🎉💖

Date: April 12 📍 Doors open at 5:30
Location: Savannah Center (entire center including theatre!)
*Open to Non-Villagers!
Tickets: https://givebutter.com/jOEe10

What is Today? In the spirit of - Today is "Change a Pet's Life Day" so while you're here, please visit our webpage at www.hsspca.org and share! We have three long-stay, beautiful and amazing dogs who especially need the community's support!

Like the Chief says: Get ready for a night filled with amazing performances, inspiring conversations, and the chance to make a difference. This is a perfect opportunity to connect with others who share your passion for our cause. Don’t miss out on the fun and excitement! Mark your calendars and get your tickets or Sponsor! We can’t wait to see you there!

01/22/2025

Despite this cold spell, our hearts were warmed this week with a surprise visit from our friends Linda Graves (left) and Board member Sheri Evans (right) of FL DART (Disaster Animal Rescue & Transport). Our Shelter Director, Cheryl Courtright (center), gave them a tour of our new Admin. offices which are part of our latest expansion progress. Along with heartfelt praise for our continuing hard work, they presented us with a $10,000 donation to our Hope Fund! Thank you again to FL DART’s Board and Ronnie N. Graves!

Our Hope Fund ensures that animals with severe injuries, illnesses or behavioral issues can come into our custody and receive the care they desperately need. These animals often face significant costs which would be impossible to cover without the generosity of our community. The fund was created nearly 20 years ago and named after a newborn kitten who was thrown out of a vehicle and incurred severe injuries requiring costly medical care which we didn’t have set aside at that time.

Any donations exceeding the needs of a specific animal are saved for future cases, ensuring we can continue helping animals in critical situations. To help us continue offering hope to animals in dire need, make a tax-deductible gift at https://hsspca.org/hope-fund/.

01/22/2025

🌟 **A Heartfelt Call for Support: Our Kibbles Pet Food Pantry**

At our Humane Society, we believe that every pet deserves love, care, and a full belly. Our Kibbles Program is dedicated to helping low-income families provide nourishing meals for their beloved companions. However, we find ourselves in **URGENT** need of dog food of any kind to continue this vital support or we won’t even have enough for this Saturday’s distribution.

You can drop off donations at our shelter at 994 CR 529A, Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538 or easily order food through our shelter profile at the Chewy’s “Gives Back” program: Bit.ly/ChewyWishlistYHSSPCA or at our Amazon Wish List at https://a.co/8StWeQp where both of these sites will ship directly to us.

If you're shopping at Publix, keep an eye out for BOGO deals and Tin Can Pam’s of Lake Panasoffkee is carrying pet food too at drastically reduced prices. Your generosity can make a world of difference for families in need.

Together, we can ensure that no pet goes hungry. Thank you for helping us make tails wag, hearts sing and no stomachs growling from hunger pains!

With gratitude,

🐾❤️

01/21/2025

Congratulations, volunteers, donors, and staff! We have WON the "Best of Sumter County" in three categories: Best Nonprofit, Best Cause and Best Fundraiser: Fore Paws Golf Classic! We couldn't have done it without all of you!!

01/21/2025

Our many thanks go to the Retired Educators Club in The Villages for their invitation to be their first guest speaker of 2025. Their large membership turn out showed their enthusiasm and genuine interest to learn about our life-saving work and our efforts to expand our humane education outreach was so appreciated and welcoming!

Our volunteer grant writer, another retired educator, Dr. Pauline Schwartz, joined our volunteer Public Relations and Humane Education Chairperson Claudia Labbe, in explaining the many ways our shelter impacts the community and how volunteers can help impact the success of the shelter.

If you have a club or group which would be interested in a guest speaker presentation, reach out to us at 352-793-9117. We look forward to meeting more compassionate members of our community!

01/19/2025

1/18/2025 Sage has been at the shelter 422 days now and no one has shown any interest in her.

Here is a video of her at the farmers market today, which was something completely new and different. New sights, smells and sounds. No issues with adults, children or large or small dogs while walking around. She laid quietly at the restaurant and enjoyed a burger. She was extremely well-behaved and will be a great companion for some lucky person wanting to give her a forever home.

Gentle soul Sage has been at the shelter 422 days. She came to us from Sumter County Animal Services after being surrendered by her owner. They had been li...

01/18/2025

Meet Sage. She came to us on 11/23/2023 (421 days ago) from Sumter County Animal Services where she had been surrendered. She and her owner had been living out of a car to that point. We found her to be somewhat aloof in the play yard with the other dogs, as well as staff and volunteers. She would pace around during playgroup, uninterested in engaging with the other dogs. She also nervously ran from area to area in the play yard sniffing the ground. About a month ago her attitude completely changed, and she started taking some interest in the other dogs. In the last week, she actually has initiated play with a couple of dogs and goes nonstop for extended periods. The playgroup monitors are ecstatic with this new behavior from her. After more than 14 months as a shelter dog, she's way past due to have a home she can call her own. Maybe you are the person to give her that chance.

If you happen to be at Brownwood Square in The Villages Saturday morning, Jan. 18th, Sage will be on a field trip, and you may see her strolling around with one of the volunteers during the farmers market close to lunch time or over at World of Beer enjoying a burger. Come by and meet this black beauty.

Click on the link below to see Sage in action during a recent playgroup session.

Click here for more information about these available dogs: https://hsspca.org/available-dogs/.Click here to complete an online adoption application: https...

01/17/2025

Join us tomorrow at Tractor Supply Co. in Bushnell with our special guests: Kuzco and Belle! Come by and say hi to these big lovebugs from 11 am-1pm!

(Ma) Belle is calm, cool and collected. Click on the link below to watch her being pestered by older puppy Banjo (who was adopted recently).
She is a gentle soul who has been a shelter dog for 442 days. She is a favorite of staff and volunteers, and everyone is hoping she finds her forever home very soon. She is quiet in the home and is a fantastic companion. Oh, and she loves her ball.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FYlVIaMhsNo

Kuzco is just over a year old and has been a shelter dog for 272 days now. After working diligently with the shelter's dog handler, he has transformed from a truly wild child into a solid canine citizen. He loves to play with the other dogs and has learned a lot from his playmates. He's ready for his forever home, especially one with active pre-teens and maybe another doggie playmate.
Click on the link below to see Kuzco in a recent playgroup. He's the black dog wearing the red collar. Belle is in it, too.

https://youtu.be/3PX6_V-64vQ?t=36

01/17/2025

A huge thank you to the members of the Lady Lake Area Chamber of Commerce for their donation to the new building on campus! We enjoyed our night with board member Maureen McCosker and her husband Mike at the chamber gala at Brownwood! Congratulations to all the winners and new members and officers!

01/16/2025

🐾 When Answer lost his owner, he also lost the only home he’d ever known. But thanks to compassionate care, his best days are still ahead. This 12-year-old Terrier/Chihuahua came into the care of Humane Society of Sumter County after his person passed away. Life outside had left him with missing patches of fur and itchy skin but, with the help of a Grey Muzzle grant, Answer got the medicated baths, flea prevention, and veterinary care he needed to feel his best again.

The happiest twist? One of the shelter’s volunteers immediately fell head over heels and, just two weeks later, Answer found himself in a new home! Now he’s enjoying the good life with his Chihuahua siblings, proving that senior dogs still have so much love to give. 🥰

With your support, we’re changing lives, one grey muzzle at a time. Thank you for helping dogs like Answer find their happily-ever-after! 🫶

01/14/2025

It's GAME TIME!! The Trivia Night was sold out, but don't despair! We have another team game in the works! Join us on Feb. 26th at the Warfield Auditorium for our next event! MAJORITY RULES!! Bring your own snacks / beverages 👍

01/12/2025

EDIT - Enzo was adopted today! (1/15/25) 😍

7-year-old Enzo has been a shelter dog since 6/16/2024 (209 days) after being surrendered when his owner had to go into a nursing home.

Today, this sweet boy got to go on a field trip with volunteer Tom and his wife to the Brownwood Paddock Square farmer's market. While strolling around, Enzo encountered all kinds of people and was very good with a young child who wanted to meet him. Enzo had no issues with any of the dogs he saw, regardless of size. Several of them wanted to meet him and he happily obliged. Then he got to go to World of Beer where he was greeted with a bowl of water and got to eat his own hamburger patty, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

If you think Enzo would be the perfect companion for you, click below to complete an adoption application and then come out to the shelter to meet this very good boy. He is neutered and current with his immunizations.

https://hsspca.org/dog-adoption/

01/10/2025

1/9/2025
20-month-old Curly has been a shelter dog since 1/19/2024, or 356 days (nearly 2/3 of his life). He is shy around new people but is a very sweet boy. He's one of the shelter's playgroup rockstars who gets along with all the other dogs in the play yard. One of our volunteer couples has fostered Curly through the last two hurricanes and for several weeks this past holiday season. He'll be coming back to the shelter soon.

Here are the foster's comments from Curly's Sept. 27th stay with them.

"We’ve had a nice time fostering Curly since Tuesday. He has really come out of his shell these last couple of days. We leave his kennel door open all the time so he can go in and out whenever he likes and he hasn’t had any accidents in the house. He has been getting along with our dog Daisy. Our other dog Daphne hasn’t warmed up to him yet so we made sure to keep them separated. He enjoys our walks but still pulls some on the leash and a little nervous about all the new surroundings. He really loves hanging out in the lanai and backyard. He is so laid back and quiet that we are sure Curly would be a great companion for someone and we sure hope it happens soon."

Their comments from Jan. 3rd.

"He looks to our dog Daisy to see how to act. He would do best with another dog to show him the ropes and make him comfortable. He wants to play but Daisy is not able to."

Comments from today.

"Curly has never barked at our house. We have kept him about 4 (nonconsecutive) weeks and also has never had an accident in the house and never tried to jump our fence."

Come on out and meet this gentle soul who would really love to have his forever home.

01/07/2025

We wanted to share exciting news that the animal-loving producers of the howlin' great Mutts Gone Nuts Unleashed show are offering a 10% discount to our supporters if they use this link code when buying their tickets:
https://smartseat.thevillages.com/?itemnumber=32852&promo=SPCA10 #/

Before they sell out, be sure to get your seats for their only show here on Wed., Jan. 29th at the Savannah Center in The Villages! THEY'RE AMAZING!!!
And make sure you stop by our table in the lobby before or after the 7PM show!

01/06/2025

🥶 🚨ATTENTION🚨 🥶

Brrrrrrrrr!!!
This information could be a lifesaver for your animals so review and share it far and wide! This week, Central Florida will be experiencing cold AND wet weather dipping down into the 30s with windchills in the 20s!

*** Please bring your pets indoor where possible and if not, provide them with access to shelter (defined as a solid structure with three sides, a roof and a floor) and filled with insulating STRAW bedding (not hay or blankets in a dog/cat shelter or barnyard shelter), extra food for calories to battle low temperatures and fresh water. Straw is inexpensive and can be found at any feed store where hay is sold. Another simple tip to help keep your pet from facing the elements and stay warmer, is to turn their shelter opening away from the cold North winds. 🐾

*** Keep pets away from space heaters, and always be sure the heater is off before leaving your dog or cat home alone.

*** Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs and may be difficult to housebreak during very cold days. Consider using puppy pads when the weather is very cold and remember your patience!

*** Using antifreeze responsibly is one of the most important ways to keep pets safe in winter. Because antifreeze contains an organic compound called ethylene glycol, a small amount spilled is highly dangerous/deadly to pets if ingested.

*** Check Under Your Car!
Cats in particular may find your car a warm and cozy place to snuggle. In fact, many have been found hiding under the hood, on top of the wheels, and in other confined vehicle spaces. Check under your car and bang on the hood to startle any feline stowaways. This is still a great winter pet safety tip even if you don’t have a cat, as strays can also take cover under your vehicle.

*** Feed outdoor livestock extra HAY forage (not their straw for bedding) and provide additional salt/electrolytes to encourage them to drink more and minimize chances of impaction colic, dehydration or other cold weather complications. Elderly/sick/thin equines should be brought into a barn and be provided with a blanket or kept out of the winds if possible to not become hypothermic.

These temperatures and windchills near or below freezing are no gifts any pet deserves to be suffering in so help ALL your animals get through even a cold Florida winter safely! Give the gift of kindness and care about their welfare too because they rely on YOU!❤️