When storms threaten, the Humane Society of Sumter County springs into action to protect the pets who depend on us. But we can’t do it alone. This hurricane season, we’re calling on compassionate neighbors to join our Stormtrooper Team—dedicated volunteers trained to help our shelter and animals before, during, and after severe weather. Your steady hands and caring heart can be the difference between chaos and comfort for a frightened dog, a litter of kittens, or an owner searching for help.
Stormtroopers are our rapid-response crew. You don’t need special experience—just reliability, willingness to train, and the ability to follow safety guidelines. We’ll prepare you with simple orientations and role-specific checklists so you know exactly what to do and when to do it. Even a few hours can make a huge impact.
Why sign up now? Hurricanes don’t make appointments. Building a ready roster before a storm means we mobilize faster, keep animals safer, and support our community more effectively. You’ll gain practical emergency skills, meet fellow animal lovers, and play a vital part in Sumter County’s resilience. Most importantly, you’ll help ensure every animal in our care is sheltered, calm, and accounted for when the weather turns.
Stormtrooper roles and needs during severe weather
- Animal care support: feeding, watering, cleaning kennels, and comforting stressed pets.
- Evacuation prep: labeling crates, packing go-bags, loading supplies, and staging transport carriers.
- Transport assistance: safely moving animals to partner facilities or foster homes when needed.
- Facility fortification: securing windows, sandbag placement, and assisting with generator checks.
- Supply logistics: inventorying food, meds, leashes, and distributing gear to staff and fosters.
- Intake and tracking: basic record updates, ID checks, and crate labeling to keep pets accounted for.
- Phone and front-desk help: answering inquiries, sharing updates, and triaging urgent requests.
- Post-storm cleanup: debris removal, sanitation, and resetting kennels for returning animals.
- Foster-on-call: short-term emergency fostering for vulnerable animals (seniors, medical, neonates).
- Comfort and enrichment: quiet walks, calming activities, and stress-reduction for anxious pets.
Email us today at adoptme@hsspca.org to become a Stormtrooper for the Humane Society of Sumter County. When the winds rise, you’ll be ready—standing strong for the animals who can’t protect themselves.
Help us raise funds for a 6,000 square-foot, hurricane-ready, and climate-controlled building to house even more homeless or displaced pets across Sumter County. Learn more about our Capital Campaign here.
Unable to volunteer but still want to help? We always need supplies.
- Crates
- Dishes
- Visqueen
- Virkon
- Paper Towels
- Towels and blankets
- Newspaper
- Leashes
- Gloves (Latex and cleaning)
- Garbage cans and bags
- Water bottles (drinking)
- Generators
- Batteries
- Flashlights/lanterns
