The Karen Cooper Foundation

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The Karen Cooper Foundation

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our mission is to bring Christmas joy to shelter dogs by gifting toys and treats each year.

Honoring Karen Cooper’s legacy, we strive to make one day very special for shelter dogs while raising awareness for adoptions. Karen Cooper’s love for dogs has shown throughout her entire life. Beyond contributing to countless charities, every Christmas season Karen would fill up her vehicle with dog treats and deliver them to local Humane Societies. Her goal was to ensure that on Christmas Day, a

s many dogs as possible would not be forgotten. Today Karen’s family, Bob and Michele, are continuing Karen’s legacy by gifting as many shelter dogs as possible across the country each Christmas season.

05/26/2026

May 26, 2023 - a day that changed our lives forever.

Today, we remember my mom, Karen - the heart behind our foundation and the soul behind its mission. Her love for animals wasn’t something she simply talked about… it was something she lived every single day.

These moments capture just a small glimpse of who she was, surrounded by the dogs and granddogs she adored so deeply. But her compassion extended far beyond our own family pets. Her heart belonged to the forgotten ones too… the shelter dogs waiting for someone to see them, love them, and give them the forever home they deserved.

She believed no dog should ever feel unwanted, invisible, or alone - especially on Christmas Day. What began as her passion became her purpose: bringing comfort, joy, toys, treats, and hope to shelter animals who otherwise may have had nothing.

Karen taught us that kindness matters. That love can be shown through the smallest acts. And that animals deserve advocacy, compassion, and a voice.

Everything we do through this foundation carries her spirit forward. Her mission did not end when she left this world - it lives on in every dog helped, every tail wag, every adoption, and every act of kindness done in her memory.

We miss her deeply every single day, but we are endlessly grateful for the love she gave so freely and the legacy she left behind.

This is for you, Mom. 🤍

05/18/2026

✨ MEET LENA ✨

For 598 days, Lena has been waiting for someone to see just how special she is 💛

This 3-year-old German Shepherd/Doberman mix arrived at Haven Pet Center scared and unsure of the world around her. With time, patience, and love from staff, volunteers, and her dog playgroup friends, she’s blossomed into a more confident, affectionate, and playful girl.
Now, Lena loves to snuggle close, lean into her people for comfort, play fetch, and proudly show off how smart she is for treats. She’s eager to learn and thrives with calm guidance and encouragement.
In playgroups, she’s truly come alive 🐾 - learning social skills from respectful dog friends and shining as her confidence grows.
Lena can still be cautious in new places and with new people, but once she trusts you, she bonds deeply and becomes a sweet, goofy, loving companion who looks to her person for reassurance.
And the best news… her adoption is FULLY SPONSORED 🎉
Her adoption fee is completely covered - she just needs her forever family.
After 598 days, we’re hoping today is the day Lena finally goes home 🏡
📍 Come meet Lena at Haven Pet Center
📞 (951) 654-8002

💛 Not looking to adopt? Please share to help her find her people.

At the Karen Cooper Foundation, we bring joy to shelter dogs at Christmas, raise awareness for pups like Lena, and honor Karen Cooper’s legacy.

05/04/2026

🐾 Meet Hashbrown 🐾

Aloha! This incredible boy traveled over 2,500 miles from Maui in search of something every dog deserves… a forever home 💛

Hashbrown hasn’t had the easiest start. This nearly 3-year-old terrier mix was born blind and abandoned on the streets of Maui. Thankfully, one of Helen Woodward Animal Center’s partner organizations stepped in, giving him a second chance and bringing him to the mainland in early 2025 so he could find his people.

And despite everything he’s been through… Hashbrown is pure joy.

He may be blind, but he doesn’t let that slow him down. He navigates stairs, explores the world through his incredible sense of smell and hearing, and after a good walk, becomes the ultimate cuddlebug 🛋️🐶

He’s potty trained, very smart (already learning sit and crate training!), and gets along with everyone he meets. He would do best in a home with kids over 10 and a friendly dog sibling to help guide him.

Because I volunteer at Helen Woodward Animal Center, I get to see Hashbrown regularly - and every time, he completely melts my heart.

At the Karen Cooper Foundation, this is exactly why we do what we do, supporting shelters and shining a light on dogs like Hashbrown so they can find the homes they deserve.

✨ He doesn’t need perfect, just his person. Someone who will see the heart beyond his blindness.

📣 Not able to adopt? Please consider resharing, his family may be one share away.

📍 Helen Woodward Animal Center
6461 El Apajo Rd. Rancho Santa Fe, CA

🕒 Kennel Hours:
Mon–Thurs: 12–6
Fri–Sun: 10–6

📞 858-756-4117 (option #1)

✔ Neutered | ✔ Vaccinated | ✔ Microchipped

04/27/2026

🐾 Looking for a beautiful way to spend your weekend right here in America’s Finest City?

Join us this Saturday, May 2nd at Liberty Station for the Walk for Animals - benefiting the San Diego Humane Society! 🌊☀️
The Karen Cooper Foundation is proud to support this incredible event, helping care for more than 40,000 animals each year - including homeless pets and injured wildlife. 💙

🐶 Why this walk matters:
• Lifesaving Care: Proceeds support medical treatment, food, and safe shelter for animals in need—including over 13,000 injured or orphaned wild animals through Project Wildlife.
• Preventive Services: Funds help provide low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and veterinary care, addressing the root causes of pet homelessness.
• Rescue and Adoption: Supports rescuing animals from neglect and cruelty and finding them new, loving homes.
• Community Impact: Helps create a more humane San Diego by protecting pets, wildlife, and people across our community.

Every step you take makes a real difference.🐾 Join us for a fun, meaningful day by the water and be part of something truly lifesaving. Register and learn more here: https://secure.sdhumane.org/site/TR?fr_id=1501&pg=entry

We’d love to see you there!

04/20/2026

✨ Meet Tye at Animal Friends of the Valleys 🐾

Tye is a 1-year-old neutered male Catahoula Leopard Dog mix - and he’s as fun, loving, and handsome as they come.
This sweet, playful boy loves to stay active and connected. He enjoys walks (and does great on leash), knows commands like “sit,” “roll over,” and “down,” and is both house trained and dog-door savvy. Tye is friendly with other dogs, great with kids, and would make an incredible companion for an active family.

Tye’s story hasn’t been easy. He first came to the shelter as a stray, was adopted, and then returned just a few months later when his owner could no longer care for him. Through it all, he’s remained the same happy, loving dog - still ready to give his whole heart to the right person.

One of the things that makes Tye so special is his playful spirit. While at the shelter, he and his former kennel mate, Ginger, loved playing their own version of hide-and-seek - sneaking, pouncing, and chasing each other around the yard. It’s moments like these that made staff and volunteers fall in love with him.
Tye is ready for a fresh start with a family who will give him the stability, love, and fun-filled life he deserves. 🐶💛

📞 For more information, contact Animal Friends of the Valleys in Riverside, CA at 951-674-0618. They offer adoptions and provide animal services to the communities of Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Wildomar, Menifee, Murrieta, and Temecula.

At the Karen Cooper Foundation, we are proud to support shelters like Animal Friends of the Valleys by helping bring awareness to amazing dogs like Tye who are patiently waiting for their forever homes. ❤️

04/03/2026

We are honored to be attending the Annual Donor Reception at the San Diego Humane Society - what an inspiring evening it’s been. Proud to be part of this incredible event.

Hearing Dr. Gary Weitzman share the organization’s vision for the future is truly powerful. From plans for a new community hospital and expanded resources for families, to innovative initiatives focused on increasing adoptions and reducing the need for surrender, their impact continues to grow in meaningful ways.

Their commitment to creating a more humane San Diego is evident in everything they do - caring for over 40,000 animals each year, including dogs, cats, livestock, and wildlife across 14 cities.

At the Karen Cooper Foundation, we are incredibly proud to support such a compassionate, forward-thinking organization. Together, we are helping build a future where every animal is valued, cared for, and given the chance they deserve. 🐾✨

03/30/2026

Last week we had the best time at the Walk for Animals with San Diego Humane Society in Escondido 🐾💛

We were so happy to run into one of the incredible organizations our foundation supports - Rancho Coastal Humane Society - who were out sharing their mission and introducing two sweet pups looking for forever homes.

✨ Meet Megazorb (Brown & White Terrier mix, 5 yrs, 28 lbs)
A shy-at-first girl who blossoms into a playful, spunky companion once she feels safe. She’s still learning the ropes and would love a family ready to guide her - with a little extra love for her chatty personality 💕
🎥 Watch her here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEatIOcOkFg&t=22s

✨ Meet Parkour (Grey & White French Bulldog mix, 6 yrs, 27 lbs)
A charming little guy with a big personality packed into a small frame. He’s looking for a bulldog-savvy home that understands his needs and will give him the care and routine to thrive 🐶💙
🎥 Watch him here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6kTMeS5oWw&t=12s

Rancho Coastal Humane Society goes above and beyond - providing medical care, training, and thoughtful matchmaking to help pets find the right homes.
If you’re not adopting right now, sharing this post can truly make a difference. The right person might be just one share away 🐾

As always, our mission is not only to bring Christmas to thousands of shelter dogs each year, but to raise awareness for those still waiting for their forever homes 🎄💛

03/21/2026

Today, Bob and I were so grateful to be part of the San Diego Humane Society Walk for Animals at Kit Carson Park in North County San Diego 🐾! My son, Cooper, was home from college and joined us for this special day. 💙

From adorable pups at every turn to even a miniature horse we couldn’t resist saying hello to, the day was filled with so many sweet moments and reminders of why this cause matters so much.

This walk is about so much more than just a day together - it directly supports the incredible work of the San Diego Humane Society, helping provide shelter, lifesaving medical care, and second chances for animals in need. Each year, tens of thousands of animals rely on their care, and events like this help make it all possible. It’s truly inspiring to see the community come together to support them.

Supporting shelter dogs has always been close to our hearts. Through the Karen Cooper Foundation, which celebrates Karen’s legacy, we give back year-round - donating toys and treats at Christmas and raising awareness for adoptions all year long. Participating in the Walk for Animals today was a meaningful way to celebrate her legacy alongside Cooper and my dad, Bob. 💛

Address

P. O. Box 3047
San Diego, CA
92038

Website

https://www.karencooperfoundation.org/

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