Caring for Animals, Supporting People with Jesse Fletcher
From Max Loves Midland by Max Loves Midland
April 30, 2026 · 34 min · Season 3 · Episode 7
About this episode
Jesse Fletcher discusses her journey in nonprofit leadership and the connection between people and animals.
In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, host Kevin LaDuke sits down with Jesse Fletcher, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Midland County, to talk about her journey through the Great Lakes Bay Region, her path into nonprofit leadership, and the powerful connection between people and animals. Jesse shares how her career led her from the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce to United Way of Midland County and eventually to the Humane Society, where she has helped strengthen the organization’s structure, storytelling, and focus on the human-animal bond. The conversation explores the everyday work of caring for animals, the cost of operating a shelter, the importance of volunteers and donors, and why the Humane Society is more than a place for adoptions. Jesse also talks about programs like Midland Youth Promoting Animal Welfare, partnerships with other animal organizations, Give Local Midland, and how the Humane Society’s endowment fund helps provide low-cost and free services that keep pets in loving homes. Through it all, Jesse reflects on Midland as a welcoming community and shares her hopes for a future where more people feel accepted, supported, and empowered to thrive.
People in this episode
Host: Kevin LaDuke
Guest: Jesse Fletcher
Topics covered
- animal welfare
- nonprofit leadership
- community support
- human-animal bond
- volunteering
- shelter operations
Keywords
- Humane Society
- animal care
- nonprofit
- volunteers
- Midland community
- shelter
- animal welfare
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Humane Society of Midland County, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Midland County, Midland Youth Promoting Animal Welfare, Give Local Midland
Places: Great Lakes Bay Region, Midland
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