09/01/2026
Laurie Miller, executive director of the Henderson Humane Society for the past year, spoke to our club today about the challenges of that nonprofit’s work.
Its mission is: “We rescue, rehabilitate and re-home thousands of pets each year, while promoting responsible pet ownership and providing vital community services.”
Laurie said she first adopted a dog, Showbiz, 25 years ago when devastation by Hurricane Katrina forced her to abandon her studies at the University of New Orleans and return home to Evansville. That first adopted dog provided her companionship she needed.
Laurie said 90% of the animals they care for were dumped by their owners in river bottoms and elsewhere because they were old or were unwanted litters of kittens or puppies. Presently, its shelter is at capacity with about 62 dogs & 24 cats. Because of that, it can’t now accept pets surrendered by owners.
So far this year, it has adopted out about 200 animals; it also reunites some 250 lost pets with their families each year.
One of the Humane Society’s services is offering a low-cost ($45) program of shots and transportation to Butler County to spay or neuter them, which prevents unwanted dogs or kittens. Stray or feral cats & kittens represent its No. 1 source of calls from the public.
With a staff of only two full-time employees (Laurie and her office manager, plus some part-time kennel techs), the Humane Society is in constant needs of volunteers to walk dogs, do laundry, socialize with sheltered animals and help transport animals to the spay & neuter clinic. It also relies on donations of cash, old towels and sheets, canned dog & cat food, pet toys, bleach & detergent.
More information is available at www.hendersonhumane.org
