Alicia Silverstone Steps in at the Last Moment To Save Pregnant Shelter Dog and Her Puppies
Alicia Silverstone recently stepped in to help save a mother dog and her puppies from being put down at a crowded California animal shelter. The rescue happened just hours before the dog was scheduled for euthanasia.
The actress first learned about the situation around six weeks ago after seeing a heartbreaking post on social media. The post showed a pregnant terrier mix named Noel who was being held at an overcrowded shelter in San Bernardino. With no space left, the shelter planned to euthanize her within hours.
Silverstone said the dog’s face immediately caught her attention. She told reporters that her face was just so beautiful, and that was enough for her to act fast. She quickly contacted Mike Arms, the CEO of the Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego County, and asked if anything could be done.
Arms and his team moved quickly. They arranged to pull Noel from the shelter and bring her to their Rancho Santa Fe facility. But just as the rescue team arrived to transport her, something unexpected happened. Noel began giving birth.
Silverstone later shared her reaction, saying the day they were going to kill her, she happened to have her babies, which is kinda crazy. In total, Noel gave birth to 14 puppies. Sadly, the animal center confirmed that two of the newborns did not survive during the transfer.
The rescue center named the mother Noel in honor of the holiday season. Her 12 surviving puppies were given names inspired by the song The 12 Days of Christmas. The names include Drummer, Piper, Lord, Lady, Maid, Swan, Goose, Ring, Calling Bird, French Hen, Turtle Dove, and Partridge.
Silverstone didn’t just help from a distance. She and her 14-year-old son, Bear Blu Jarecki, visited the shelter to spend time with Noel and the puppies. She later decided to foster four of them at her own home.
On social media, the actress shared how intense the experience has been. She wrote that I would have taken them all if I could, but admitted that caring for four puppies has been a lot of work. She described her daily routine as nonstop cleaning, feeding, and trying to keep the puppies warm and safe.
She called the experience the sweetest, most adorable thing, but also said it was complete chaos while juggling her acting career. According to the Helen Woodward Animal Center, the puppies should be ready for adoption by mid-February. They will be placed in permanent homes through the San Diego-based rescue organization.
Silverstone has also used the moment to speak out about animal adoption. She urged her followers to stop going to breeders, stop going to pet stores, and just rescue, using her large social media platform to spread awareness about overcrowded shelters.
Outside of animal advocacy, Silverstone has remained busy with her acting career. She recently appeared in the film Bugonia, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, alongside Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons. Her performance has drawn attention during the current awards season.
What are your thoughts on celebrities using their platform to bring attention to animals in need? Share your thoughts in the comments.
