Alicia Silverstone Saves Pregnant Shelter Dog and Her Puppies From Euthanasia
Alicia Silverstone recently proved that her heart is just as iconic as her breakout role in Clueless by helping save a mother dog and her large litter from a tragic fate. The rescue mission began about six weeks ago when the 49-year-old actress came across a devastating social media post about a pregnant terrier mix named Noel. The dog was held at a San Bernardino animal shelter that was so overcrowded she was scheduled for euthanasia in just a matter of hours.
Silverstone immediately reached out to Mike Arms, the CEO of the Helen Woodward Animal Center, after being struck by the animal’s gentle expression. She told reporters that her face was just so beautiful, which prompted her to make the urgent call. Arms and his team at the Rancho Santa Fe facility quickly mobilized to pull the dog from the high-kill shelter and bring her into their care.
In a dramatic turn of events, the terrier began giving birth almost as soon as the rescue team arrived to pick her up. Silverstone expressed her amazement at the timing, noting that the day they were going to kill her, she happened to have her babies, which is kinda crazy. While 14 puppies were born in total, the center sadly confirmed that two of the newborns did not survive the transition.
The mother was aptly named Noel to celebrate the holiday season, and her 12 surviving puppies were given names inspired by the classic song The 12 Days of Christmas. The group includes Drummer, Piper, Lord, Lady, Maid, Swan, Goose, Ring, Calling Bird, French Hen, Turtle Dove, and Partridge. Despite a busy schedule, Silverstone and her 14-year-old son, Bear Blu Jarecki, visited the shelter to spend time with the growing family.
The actress decided to open her own home to four of the puppies—Drummer, Piper, Swan, and Partridge—to serve as their foster mother. She admitted on social media that she would have taken them all if I could, but described the experience as a whirlwind of responsibility. She shared that her days have been filled with nothing but cleaning pee and poo, feeding tiny mouths, and trying to keep everyone warm and alive.
Silverstone described the scene as the sweetest, most adorable thing, but also complete insanity, given her professional commitments. The puppies are expected to be ready for their forever homes by mid-February through the Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego. She used her platform to encourage her 10.4 million followers to stop going to breeders, stop going to pet stores, and just rescue.
Outside of her advocacy work, the actress has maintained a very productive schedule in the entertainment industry. She recently starred in the high-profile film Bugonia, directed by the acclaimed Yorgos Lanthimos. The movie features a star-studded cast including Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons, and Silverstone’s performance has been a topic of conversation during the awards season.
What do you think about celebrities using their platform to highlight the overcrowding crisis in local animal shelters? Share your thoughts in the comments.