Volunteer of the Month, December 2025: Brad Bennett
This December, we are pleased to recognize one of our most dedicated and helpful volunteers, Brad Bennett, as the Humane Society of Sumter County Volunteer of the Month! Brad exemplifies the season of giving year-round with his time, talent and good heart.
Originally from Michigan, Brad has lived across the United States and traveled the world, but after retiring, he found his home in The Villages, FL. Although his early years didn’t include pets beyond a dog and a couple of gerbils, it was only after retirement that his passion for animals truly blossomed. What started as pet sitting quickly turned into a deep commitment to animal welfare and eventually led him to us.
When asked about his initial interest in volunteering, Brad shared, “Volunteering has been the smartest thing I’ve done in retirement. I have lots of things to keep me busy, but they are often just things to keep me busy. Coming to the shelter, working hard in the heat for no money, and leaving relaxed and happy? Who needs a therapist when you can play with dogs for a couple of hours?” His love for animals is evident in everything he does, from his dedication to dog walking, his involvement in fundraising events, to his efforts in giving shelter dogs some exposure in the community at offsite adoption events and fostering them.
His most memorable experience, however, isn’t a single moment but rather the “many most memorable people” he has met through the Humane Society. He reflects on the incredible sense of camaraderie and teamwork within the HSSC volunteer group, “We are a very diverse group who might not meet anywhere else, but our shared love of animals brings us together. When someone at the shelter sends out an email with a request for help, everyone shows up.”
Perhaps one of the most heartwarming aspects of Brad’s journey is his bond with his own adopted dog, a German Shepherd mix named Mr. Bean. What began as a short-term foster turned into a lifelong commitment. As he recalls, “I was absolutely certain this was short-term, and we’d be getting him into a home. But it turned out we were a perfect match; we are both boring old men!” As Brad explained, “He is the most low-maintenance dog I’ve ever met. Non-reactive to everything under the Sun. Happy to sleep all day. After a couple of months, it became more and more apparent that he wasn’t going to let me go. I was very happy when he finally adopted me in March.”
For those considering volunteering with our Humane Society in some way, Brad has this to say: “If you’re thinking about volunteering, just do it. You’ll be making a difference, and it will be more rewarding than you can imagine. It’s not just about helping the animals, it’s about connecting with people, sharing experiences, and giving your time to something that truly matters.”
Thank you, Brad Bennett, for your incredible dedication, hard work, and the joy you bring to the animals, fellow volunteers and staff, and of course Mr. Bean. You are a true asset to the Humane Society of Sumter County, and we are lucky to have you on our team!
So as we wrap up another impactful year of lifesaving, please join us in congratulating Brad Bennett for being our Volunteer of the Month for December 2025! If you’ve got a New Year’s resolution to get more involved, join Brad and our other wonderful team members with many ways to help by completing an application at https://hsspca.org/apply-to-volunteer/.
