Coming Fall 2026
The Edwina and Sam Friedman
Pet Adoption & Welfare Center
A Home for Hope and a Hub for the Whole Community
From Grass-Roots Rescue to Parish-Wide Lifesaving
For decades, dedicated volunteers have worked to improve the lives of homeless animals in Natchitoches Parish, laying the foundation for what is now FAUNA. Today, we continue that legacy by implementing innovative programs and bringing together volunteers, donors, and public and private partners in a community that refuses to give up on its vulnerable animals.
FAUNA has helped reduce the euthanasia rate in Natchitoches Parish, placed thousands of animals in loving homes, expanded access to free and low-cost vaccinations and spay/neuter services, and provided Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) for community cats, improving the lives of both animals and the people who care for them.
But every milestone brings a new challenge. Our current makeshift structures have reached their limits and can no longer support the growing needs of the animals and people we serve. The Edwina & Sam Friedman Pet Adoption & Welfare Center will allow us to save more lives, expand our outreach programs, and deliver hope throughout Natchitoches Parish for generations to come.
Community Health & Safety
Modern facilities for spay/neuter clinics and veterinary services.
Education & Youth Engagement
Dedicated spaces for youth programs, humane education, and community workshops.
Community Gathering Spaces
Meeting rooms, adoption suites, and volunteer areas that bring neighbors together.
Edwina &
Sam Friedman
Because of Edwina and Sam Friedman, hope now has an address.
Their extraordinary gift transformed a dream into a lasting legacy and created a place where every animal who enters and every community member who walks through its doors finds compassion, care, safety, and second chances.
Special Recognition
We gratefully acknowledge the companies and individuals whose generous in-kind gifts helped turn the vision of the Edwina & Sam Friedman Pet Adoption & Welfare Center into a reality. Their support has left an indelible mark on the future of animal welfare in our community.
Naming Campaign
Your name, or the name of a person or pet you love, can be forever honored where second chances begin.
“Someone believed you were worth this.”
The Impact of Your Gift:
- Building a permanent endowment to sustain the Friedman Center's mission for generations.
- Providing advanced medical equipment, safe housing, and equipment for enriching outdoor play yards and spaces where animals can heal and thrive.
- Supporting the dedicated staff, essential supplies, and lifesaving programs that give homeless animals the care they need and the second chances they deserve.
