Natchitoches pet adoption, welfare center under construction

NATCHITOCHES, La. — Construction of a new pet adoption and welfare center is underway on state Highway 1 Bypass in Natchitoches. 

The center is designed not only to provide lifesaving care for animals in need, but also to serve as a hub for families, volunteers and the wider community. 

The initiative is led by the non-profit FAUNA (Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals), which is dedicated to improving animal welfare. It will be named the Edwina & Sam Friedman Pet Adoption & Welfare Center.

Construction is being financed through donations and state funding; however, the largest contribution is from Edwina Friedman, a longtime animal advocate, who’s dedicating the building in memory of her late husband, Sam Friedman, a hotelier and founder of Dimension Hospitality. 

“Sam’s philosophy was that hospitality wasn’t just about running hotels — it was about creating a sense of home and belonging,” said Edwina Friedman. “This center will continue that spirit. It will be a place of comfort, safety, and new beginnings, not only for the animals who come here but also for the families who welcome them into their homes.”

She added, “Sam believed every guest deserved warmth and care. I believe animals and their families deserve the same. By creating this center, we are extending hospitality to the members of our community, two-legged and four-legged alike.”

The center will offer housing and adoption services for animals in need and affordable spay/neuter and vaccination clinics, helping families reduce costs and keep their pets healthy at home. Additionally, the center will promote responsible pet ownership through education programs, and it will serve as a gathering place for volunteers, fosters, and local families who share the desire to make a difference in animal welfare in the community.

The facility will also include a multipurpose meeting room that can host a wide range of activities, from educational workshops and civic meetings to family gatherings and community events. In addition, a surgical suite with treatment, exam, and X-ray rooms will provide animals housed at the center with medical care, supporting their wellbeing as they wait for adoption.

Outdoors, two ponds will provide irrigation for the site and play and exercise areas. Future plans include a nature-inspired park environment with a walking trail that will create a space where the community can enjoy the grounds while supporting animal care.

The opening is scheduled in late 2026. 

“This is so much more than a shelter,” said Rachel LeBlanc, FAUNA board president. “It is a community center that will strengthen families, build connections, and celebrate the generosity, spirit, and resilience that define Natchitoches. It will also carry forward the Friedmans’ legacy of hospitality and the compassion of our entire community.”

FAUNA was formed in 2022 when two animal rescue groups, Natchitoches Hope for Paws and Natchitoches Humane Society, combined forces. Collectively, the two organizations have been serving the community for more than 70 years. Today, FAUNA carries forward that legacy with multiple community programs:

• Spay Natchitoches: Provides a robust spay/neuter program to help families manage the care of their pets.
• TNR (Trap/Neuter/Return): Humanely manages community cats to prevent overpopulation, improve health, and reduce nuisance behaviors while supporting rodent control.
• Pet health fairs: Hosted several times each year, offering no- and low-cost vaccinations, microchipping, and education on the benefits of spaying and neutering.
• PACT (Providing Animal Comfort Therapy): Brings service animals to nursing homes, offering companionship and joy to residents and staff.
• NSU Veterinary Technology Partnership: Collaborates with Northwestern State University’s Veterinary Technology Program, enhancing care for community animals while supporting student learning. As part of this commitment, FAUNA funds an endowed scholarship for NSU Vet Tech students, ensuring ongoing support for future professionals.

Deetails on volunteer training sessions, school programs, and other events will be announced closer to opening. For updates and opportunities, visit https://www.npfauna.org  or email npfauna@gmail.com.

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The Natchitoches Parish Journal contributed to this report.

This article originally ran on ktbs.com.