Humane Society of Sumter County’s May 2025 Volunteer of the Month: Nina VanDerSchaaf
The Humane Society of Sumter County is proud to recognize Nina VanDerSchaaf as our Volunteer of the Month for May 2025. Nina has been an incredible asset to our organization since joining in 2021. Her commitment to the animals and her compassion for every furry friend she encounters shines through in all her volunteer efforts.
Nina’s love for animals started early, with a childhood filled with pets from cats and dogs to guinea pigs and canaries. Now, she shares her home with her spirited 12-year-old Maltichon, and two charming shelter cats, Mookie and Sweetpea, who keep her life filled with joy, and plenty of early morning brushing sessions!
Nina’s passion for helping animals extends far beyond her own pets. She has been an active volunteer, working to help socialize and care for our shelter’s animals, and facilitating countless successful adoptions. She finds immense fulfillment in seeing animals with special needs – from missing eyes to amputated tails – find their forever homes. Her heartwarming stories, like that of a senior cat who found love again after losing his human, reflect the deep bond she shares with the animals she helps.
Since retiring in 2021, Nina has poured her time into volunteering, initially at our Petsense store showcase and now at our partner PetSmart store, where she continues to support the cats through cleaning and socializing. She’s also dedicated her time to events like the Paws for the Cause Fur Ball, where she even dressed up in Victorian attire to support our cause! Nina goes the extra mile for the animals!
Nina embodies the spirit of our HSSC—giving, caring, and selflessly contributing to the welfare of animals in need. We are truly lucky to have her as part of our team. Congratulations, Nina, and thank you for all that you do! To join Nina and other great like-minded compassionate people, simply complete a volunteer application at https://hsspca.org/apply-to-volunteer/ and partake in a quick orientation so you can help in a range of ways such as animal care, fundraising, administrative, adoption events and more. Become a lifesaver at our Humane Society of Sumter County!
