Give the Gift of Healing: Noelle's Friends Fund
At Adopt-A-Dog, every dog in our care is family. And just like any beloved family member, they need routine medical care – and sometimes, urgent, life-saving treatment.
Noelle’s Friends Fund is our dedicated medical fund, with 100% of donations going directly toward the medical needs of the Adopt-A-Dog pack. From routine check-ups to critical surgeries, this fund ensures our dogs receive the care they deserve. At any given time, we care for 50–60 dogs, both at our shelter and in foster homes.
Thanks to the generosity of our veterinary partners, we receive medical services at a reduced cost. But even with these discounts, the bills can quickly become overwhelming. Your support of Noelle’s Friends Fund guarantees that no dog ever goes without the medical care they need due to financial limitations.
Real Stories of Dogs Saved by Emergency Care
We took Emma in as part of a rescue effort on Thanksgiving Eve in Greenwich. She was one of seven chihuahuas we rescued, none of whom had been spayed or neutered. When we discovered Emma was pregnant, we were hopeful for the arrival of her two puppies. Shortly thereafter, she suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage, but one puppy still remained. As Emma continued to show signs of distress, we feared the second puppy might be stuck. We rushed her to an emergency vet, where it was confirmed that Emma needed an immediate C-section to save the puppy — and her. Sadly, the puppy was malformed and didn’t survive the surgery.
Emma had suffered immense trauma. She stayed at the hospital for several days under constant supervision, her recovery was painstakingly slow, but steady. In total, Emma’s surgery and hospitalization cost $4,162.
Shortly after Santana arrived from Tennessee, we quickly noticed that something was wrong. He was in significant pain and his discomfort was hard to ignore. After several consultations with our vets, it became clear that Santana required immediate surgery. His condition was rare and complex — he needed an urgent procedure to reconstruct his male anatomy, a surgery that couldn’t be delayed.
The situation was critical, and without this procedure, his pain would only worsen. The total cost for his surgery, including the necessary pre- and post-operative care, amounted to $4,446. This was a substantial amount, but there was no other alternative.
Turducken, or Ducky as we lovingly call her, has been with us since 2020 and become an integral part of our shelter family. Ducky is a loyal companion with a cult following of fans who adore her. While she thrives as the only dog in the home, her love for humans is boundless once she has the proper introduction. Ducky’s intelligence shines through in her mastery of food puzzles.
Recently, however, Ducky’s health took a concerning turn. She stopped eating and began to show signs of distress, with several days in a row of sickness and a high fever. We knew we couldn’t wait, so we rushed her in for a full medical evaluation. After a battery of tests, we discovered that her liver enzyme levels were alarmingly high — roughly 10 times what they should have been. To get to the bottom of this, Ducky is now undergoing an ultrasound, and though we don’t have the final bill yet, we expect her initial medical care to total roughly $1,000.
We are committed to providing Ducky with the care she needs, and we’re hopeful that she will find the perfect forever home soon.
More Dogs Who Received the Care They Needed
Eagon
Emergency care
Gigi
Consult and exam
Bobby Carter
Neuter and dental care
Lil Rascal
Dental care
Red
Consultation, sedation
and X-rays
Bella
Consult and glucose monitoring
Here's How Your Gift Helps
$1,000 emergency surgery for Emma
$200 dental care for dogs like Lil Rascal
$100 full blood panel for Bella
$50 consultation or wellness visit for Gigi
$25 vaccinations for any of the dogs or puppies
Noelle Inspired a Legacy of Love
Noelle’s Friends Fund was founded nearly a decade ago in honor of Noelle, a sweet Labrador Retriever mix who was surrendered when her owner moved away.
She spent 4-5 years waiting at the shelter before a dedicated volunteer adopted her. Noelle’s loving nature and resilience left a lasting impact on everyone she met.After she passed away, the fund was created by her adopter to honor her memory. What began as a tribute to Noelle’s journey from shelter life to a loving home has grown into a mission to give other animals the same care and second chance that she had.
