Remember sweet little Noel, the dog we introduced to you on Giving Tuesday who is battling cancer? Noel has some wonderful news to share—her recent annual vet exam and bloodwork came back great! She’s in stable condition and enjoying a happy, comfortable life. While her prognosis remains uncertain, her medication is effectively managing her condition and giving her a great quality of life.

With this stability, it’s time for Noel to officially join a family of her own. Her foster mom, who began caring for her in March, initially didn’t know Noel’s cancer would return or that she’d face a third type of cancer. When asked to serve as a hospice foster and care for Noel through her final days, she didn’t hesitate. Despite already having two dogs of her own, she opened her heart and home to Noel, providing her with love, comfort, and everything she needed, thanks to the rescue covering her care.

Now that Noel may have more time, the possibility of adoption is back on the table. Noel’s foster mom absolutely adores her and wants to make her a permanent member of the family. However, Noel’s ongoing and future veterinary care—uncovered by insurance due to her pre-existing condition—poses a financial challenge.

To make this adoption possible, we’re starting Noel’s Trust Fund to support her future medical needs. Noel’s current care costs around $225 per month for medications, preventatives, and basic needs like food and treats, totaling approximately $2,700 annually. Additionally, her specialized cancer monitoring requires occasional x-rays, ultrasounds, fine needle aspirations for new lumps, etc.

This holiday season, let’s help Noel be “Home for the Holidays.” Your contributions to Noel’s Trust will ensure she gets the care she needs and the loving forever home she deserves. Let’s give Noel the greatest gift of all, and help her foster mom feel at ease by minimizing the financial burden it will take to make her an official member of their family.

A little additional background on Noel:

Noel entered rescue on December 14, 2023. Very shortly after her intake, it was discovered that Noel had mammary nodules and a sizable mass on one of her hind feet. Her entire left mammary chain was surgically removed and the histologic findings revealed a circumscribed mixed mammary tumor. The mass on her hind paw turned out to be mass cell disease.

Noel was treated aggressively for both cancers, and her recovery was uneventful. When Noel was finally ready for travel to Rhode Island in early March, we were optimistic about her health and chances at finding a loving home. Fast forward to early April, Noel paid a visit to the vet for a UTI and some swelling and lameness in her back hind leg. It was soon determined that her new leg swelling was showing mast cell tumors; her cancer was back. Further diagnostic testing confirmed that this little girl was also fighting a third cancer: bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

*SOS Animal Rescue League is a 501(c)3 charity, registered with the Internal Revenue Service. All donations are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS regulations. All donations raised are used to support SOS programs and dogs as deemed most relevant by SOS.*