Valerie Hicks White was recognized by the Audrain Humane Society with the “Friends of Audrain Humane Society” award at its Jan. 5 meeting.

The Humane Society has been recognizing those who go above and beyond for the welfare of local animals since 2023.

“We have so many people in the community that support us,” Audrain Humane Society President Marilyn Niekamp said.

The humane society hosts regular trivia nights and silent auctions, which Niekamp said always receives a lot of sponsorships and donations, but that isn’t who these awards are for.

“It was just a way to give recognition to community members who were doing something for us, supporting us not necessarily with a monetary donation,” she added. “They are truly friends of the Audrain Humane Society.”

White was selected for her dedication to the Pet Pals Foster/Adoption Program. She has fostered many of the cats that have been in the program in addition to transporting some of the animals in her care. She also took the lead in the humane society’s recent project of building 16 houses for feral cats.

At their meetings, members of the Audrain Humane Society Board of Directors consider a number of volunteers who have contributed to the Humane Society.

Niekamp highlighted the rest of the 2025 recipients:

Amber Herron of Puppy Cuts was honored at the Aug. 4 meeting. Herron is a supporter of AHS who has groomed many of the dogs in the Pet Pals Foster/Adoption Program. Niekamp said that many of the dog’s coats were in terrible condition and Herron gave them baths – perhaps the first they’d ever had – and groomed them.

At the Sept. 8 meeting, the humane society recognized both Helann Ruhf, owner of Deans Cat and Dog Boarding LLC and Jeremy Welch, owner of Papa’s Dog Barn. Both Ruhf and Welch have taken dogs into their own facilities while Pet Pals line up foster families for them.