Jeff Dorson

In 2024 at age 66, Jeff Dorson succeeded in getting two bills passed and signed into law. One ­– the Louisiana Commemorative Pet Stamp Program – helps with spay and neuter efforts through the Louisiana Pet Overpopulation Advisory Council. The other creates a specialty license plate to support wildlife rehabilitation programs.

Founder and executive director of the Humane Society of Louisiana, Jeff has been working with lawmakers for years. Much of his legislative efforts have been toward strengthening laws and stiffening penalties for cruelty to animals. That advocacy earned Jeff priceless experience in the work of advancing legislation.

But it’s his work in the trenches, his investigations of abuse and neglect cases across the state, his searching for and finding of solutions to save so many animals that have suffered so much…it’s this heartfelt, firsthand history that pushed Jeff toward the legislature, that built within him the experience to be successful. Lawmakers generally focus on human issues. Jeff has developed an undeniable ability to get them to pay attention to nonhumans, too – in a positive way. 

People who know Jeff Dorson speak of him as a hero. We are honored to celebrate him as a Peoples Health Champion.