Madisonville, Ky. – The Hopkins County Humane Society is at full capacity and facing a long‑term rebuilding effort after an EF‑1 tornado on April 2, 2025 devastated its Laffoon Trail facility. With more than 100 animals on a waiting list, the shelter is launching a capital campaign to raise the $3.5 million needed for a new, permanent building.
Damage and temporary relocation
The tornado stripped roughly 70 % of the roof from the shelter’s original structure, flooding the interior with three to four inches of water. No animals were injured, but the damage forced the organization to abandon the site. County officials and Executive Director Dustin Potenza decided that demolition and a fresh build would be safer and more cost‑effective than attempting to bring the damaged building up to code.
While the new construction is underway, the society has moved back into its historic 1967 building on Dulin Street, which had sat vacant for nearly a decade. Potenza explained that the temporary space required extensive renovation before it could house animals again.
Reduced capacity and growing wait list
“We went from a 52‑dog‑run facility on Laffoon Trail to a 14‑dog‑run facility here,” Potenza said. “The old site could accommodate about 120 cats and kittens; the temporary site holds only about 20.”
Currently the shelter cares for 37 dogs and 24 cats, placing it just over capacity. It also maintains space for emergency rescues, providing 24‑hour animal‑control services to the community. “We stay pretty much at maximum capacity with the wait list,” Potenza added. “We have a wait list of 80‑plus cats and 40‑plus dogs right now.” Most of those on the list are owner surrenders or stray animals being cared for until space opens.
Fundraising plan
The new facility on the original Laffoon Trail site is projected to cost $3.5 million. To date, the society has raised about $400,000 privately and received a $1 million award from the county, leaving roughly $2.1 million still needed.
Construction is already in motion. The society is under contract with a builder, and crews have begun installing underground utilities and preparing the site. The first phase will create a fully weather‑tight shell with doors and windows; interior work will follow as additional funds become available. Potenza estimates the shell phase will take eight to ten months once the foundation is poured.
Ways the community can help
Potenza says the capital campaign will officially launch within the next two to three weeks. Donors can earmark contributions for the campaign by marking checks “capital campaign.” Immediate contributions are also welcome.
Additional avenues for support include:
- Attending the Madisonville Arts & Crafts Faire at the Kentucky Sports Factory this weekend, where organizers are collecting donations and holding a raffle with items from over 100 vendors.
- Donating supplies such as food, bedding, and medical items.
- Fostering animals to free up space for those on the wait list; foster homes receive food and veterinary care for the animals.
- Adopting pets listed on the shelter’s website, Facebook page, or Petfinder. Adoption applications are typically approved the same day on weekdays and by the next business day on weekends. Walk‑ins are welcome any day except Sundays, which are deep‑clean days requiring appointments.
The Hopkins County Humane Society’s appeal underscores the vital role of local volunteers, donors, and businesses in preserving animal welfare services for families across the county.
Original reporting: 14 News WFIE Evansville (news) — read the source article.
