The Humane Society of Sumter County Congratulates April Volunteers of the Month: Jeff and Sheri Spruell
Jeff and Sheri Spruell were both born and raised in the small rural town of Mount Carmel in southern Illinois. After high school, they left home to attend college, then returned to build their careers, raise their family, and eventually retire. When the time came for a new chapter, they moved to The Villages—but one thing never changed: their lifelong connection to animals.
Growing up surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, goats, rabbits, and chickens, animals were always part of their daily lives. As adults, their home was filled for more than two decades with a beloved pack—Nutmeg the dachshund, Cleo the black-and-white terrier mix, and Hunter the beagle. Over time, they said goodbye to each of them, losing their last dog in 2022. For the first time in 23 years, their home was quiet.
That quiet didn’t last long. Wanting to stay connected to animals, Jeff and Sheri found their way to the Humane Society of Sumter County, one of the first places they visited after moving. Having spent 15 years volunteering with a shelter up north, they were eager to get involved again—and quickly discovered they weren’t alone. “It gets in your blood,” they say. “Helping animals and being around people who care as much as you do just feels right.”
Among their favorite memories is a large doodle that arrived at the shelter dirty, painfully matted, and clearly uncomfortable. With the help of a friend, Jeff and Sheri arranged a grooming appointment and drove her to and from her “spa day.” When they picked her up, she was clean, comfortable, and sporting pink-tinted ears and tail. She was adopted the very next day.
Today, Jeff and Sheri can be found being runners for playgroups, pack walkers, bathing dogs, helping with fundraisers, and pitching in on maintenance projects. They also get the occasional “dog fix” from their neighbor’s golden retriever, Queso, who stops by for visits.
Their message to the community is simple: if you’ve ever thought about volunteering, come visit. “It’s a great group of people working together for a great cause,” they say—and the rewards, both two-legged and four-legged, are worth it.
This April, the Humane Society of Sumter County recognized Jeff and Sheri Spruell for everything they do for the Shelter and the animals they serve.
If you would like to join our team of valuable volunteers, please complete a volunteer application. We will contact you shortly after your submission. There are many ways to make a positive impact and achieve fulfillment in your heart, too.
