Update: 1/30/2026

Short walks and regaining strength

Noel — the kitty rescued from the cold just north of Saratoga — recently had her three-week follow-up appointment after knee surgery, and she’s doing great! While she’s still a little unsure around strangers, she immediately starts purring when familiar faces come by to give her love and attention.

The staff and volunteers at H.O.P.E. are working closely with Noel to build her confidence and gently encourage short walks to help her regain strength and mobility in her leg. Once she completes her eight-week recovery period, she will be spayed and ready to begin the search for her forever home.

Noel may need a little time to settle in and bond with her new family, but once she does, she’s sure to steal their hearts. We absolutely adore her and are incredibly grateful — with the help of our generous donors — that we were able to give her the care she needed to heal and thrive.

Update: 1/10/2026

Purrs, Progress, and a Promising Recovery for Noel

We are so pleased with Noel’s recovery from her knee surgery so far. She has never displayed an ounce of displeasure during this time. She is the sweetest kitty and is scheduled for her first check-up with her surgeon during the week of January 19th. Her incision is healing nicely, and she is making strides to walk and even play. She is a constant purr machine and all of the staff and volunteers absolutely adore her!

Thank you to the donors who made Noel’s surgery possible

When I got the call regarding a stray cat that had wandered on to the property of a neighbor’s home in a north country community, I knew that we may be in trouble.

The kitty had a lame back leg and was putting minimal weight on it — but how could I say no when every shelter and rescue in the area is full? I took a chance, and the concerned neighbor dropped a petite, adorable young kitty off at the H.O.P.E. pet adoption center. The kitty, who we named Noel, is estimated to be a little over a year-and-a-half. Despite the pain she must have been in, she is the sweetest thing who purrs and loves attention.

We were able to get her to the veterinarian the same day, and they advised us to wait over the weekend to see if it was a soft tissue bruise or something more serious. We decided after the weekend to get X-rays, and it was determined Noel had a dislocated patella or kneecap. We confirmed the diagnosis with a veterinarian who specializes in these types of injuries and it was determined that Noel needed surgery costing up to $4,000. But thanks to a few very generous donors, we were able to raise the entire amount needed for Noel’s surgery.

These donor’s names are Dawn M., Heather M., Lori P., Danielle Z., Barb F., Andrew and Arlene D., Rita V., and Lisa M.

The surgery was successfully completed on 12/30/25. She will now have a long recovery ahead of her but we are confident she will heal so that she can eventually play and run around like she hasn’t had the chance to do. We can’t thank these donors enough for their generosity — it is because of them that we were able to provide Noel with the care she needed, ultimately giving her a chance to find a loving, caring family.

If you would like to help animals like Noel, please consider donating to H.O.P.E. here.