LEWISBURG — A Lewisburg pet shop is holding a special raffle to raise money for a puppy with mounting medical bills an area rescue group is trying to help.

The Pet Platoon, along Route 15, will be raffling some items to help Noel, a 4-month-old Collie puppy.

Noel is staying at Far Point Collie Rescue. Yvonne Roadarmel, who runs the rescue, has nearly $500 already in veterinary bills.

Noel was destined for a pet store but has a heart murmur and the breeder, in the Pottsville area, didn’t want her back, according to Pet Platoon owners Dave Fumanti and his wife, Judy Humenanski.

After Roadarmel rescued Noel, she noticed she was urinating frequently. Following several tests, the problem still hasn’t been found.

“She has spent so much of her own money, we decided to try to help her out,” Fumanti said of Roadarmel.

He contacted the Merrick company, which sent treat displays they will raffle off. He expects his wife to make dog and cat treat baskets to raffle.

Roadarmel rescued Noel and her sister, Holly, who also has a heart murmur. Holly has been adopted and is doing well.

So far, a urinalysis, blood work, X-rays, a urine culture and an ultrasound have been done at Lewisburg and Lycoming County veterinary hospitals with nothing found wrong. On the recommendation of one of the doctors, Roadarmel obtained a prescription for special eye drops, costing $130 a month, but that didn’t correct the problem.

A veterinarian at Animal Care Hospital will do exploratory surgery on Jan. 13. Noel may be spayed at the same time.

“She is so dear. She’s growing at the same rate as her sister,” Roadarmel said.

“I want the best for all these dogs but we’re a small rescue,” she said.

Anyone able to help may contribute at Pet Platoon or to Far Point Collie Rescue at 1035 Red Hill Road, Port Trevorton, PA, 17864.

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