The Karen Cooper Foundation
Our Mission–
To bring Christmas to as many sheltered dogs as possible.
To bring awareness to adoptions.
To pay tribute to the Legacy of Karen Cooper.
Many years ago, Karen had asked her husband Bob what happens with the dogs at a local shelter on Christmas morning. Realizing it would be very much like any other day for them, the two of them decided to make it a special day for the dogs, and to do so for years to come.
When Karen lost her life in an auto accident on May 26, 2023, Bob decided to continue gifting the dogs in Karen’s name, and to gift as many dogs as possible. In 2023 he and their daughter Michele provided Christmas gifts, not to just one shelter, but to ten shelters housing 1,056 dogs throughout San Diego County.
In December 2025, The Karen Cooper Foundation gifted Christmas joy to over 4,000 dogs across 26 shelters, with the goal of reaching even more dogs each year. To support this mission, they established a California 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to secure contributions of toys, treats, and funds needed to make each Christmas special for shelter dogs.
The Foundation has also built a growing social media presence and a website that shares their story and provides valuable resources for dog owners.
Looking ahead, the Foundation is developing a network of individuals and organizations dedicated to ensuring that as many dogs as possible are gifted each Christmas.
The name of the gift-giving initiative, “The Angel of the Forgotten,” honors Karen Cooper, who continues to watch over the sheltered dogs she loved so deeply.
The Karen Cooper Foundation P.O. Box 3047 La Jolla, CA 92038