SAN DIEGO, Calif.—We’re in the thick of the holiday season now, so here’s a feel-good Christmas dog story from San Diego, where the Karen Cooper Foundation continued its annual tradition of giving Christmas toys to shelter dogs. The San Diego Humane Society received 600 toys for dogs in local facilities.

The San Diego Humane Society was one of 56 shelters nationwide that received the foundation’s goal of 8,000 toys, double the number that was donated in 2024.

On Friday morning, December 12, the foundation was also scheduled to bring a big truckload of toys to dogs in the Los Angeles Animal Services shelters system.

The foundation was established in memory of Karen Cooper, A San Diego local who was killed in a freeway accident in 2023. Her husband founded the organization to continue her passion for un-homed pets; for the holidays, Cooper would fill her car with dog treats and go to local shelters to distribute joy to dogs in need of rescue. The foundations mission is to continue the kindness and also raise awareness to pet adoption.

On its website, the foundation said a special “thank you” to a list of Santa’s Helpers volunteers and Kong brand dog toys, “We are so grateful to Kong, based in Golden, Colorado, for helping make this Christmas brighter for shelter dogs nationwide. Their generous donation of toys means more play, comfort, and joy for dogs waiting for their forever homes. Thank you, Kong, for keeping tails wagging this holiday season!”

The joyous season comes at a time when many shelters have seen spikes in numbers of animals and increased need. This week, SPCA LA put out a desperate plea for food and donations here.

Photo: Courtesy of the Karen Cooper Foundation.