Cookies Canine Animal Rescue and Sanctuary cares for all pups

BY KADIE VICK

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

CHAMBERS COUNTY — For paws and pups, Cookies Canine Animal Rescue and Sanctuary rescues and cares for pups while working to find their furever home.

“Cookies Canine Animal Rescue and Sanctuary was started back in 2017 and we became a nonprofit,” said Owner and Operator Daneyell Chambers. “It was named after my aunt Cookie, who passed away from a very aggressive liver cancer. We started in 2015 just by fostering for another rescue in town. I happened to see a lemon hound collapse on the side of Highway 50, and it took me four months and 11 and a half miles to get him. And it was after that time that I decided that we needed to be a full force rescue of our own.”

Chambers said she is motivated to rescue pups in need, and she is the primary caregiver for the many pups on site.

“There are so many animals in need,” she said. “Rescue was very rewarding in the beginning. You’ve seen the faces, you’ve seen their loyalty. They were so thankful. The rescue just kept growing, because there became such a need for the abandoned, unwanted and abused animals. Every day the phone rings. I probably get 10 calls a day. As of right now, we are on an intake hold because I just don’t have any room. I’ve got about 65 dogs over here right now that I take care of every day by myself.”

The dogs at Cookies Canine Animal Rescue and Sanctuary are rescued from a variety of situations and given the care they need to get adopted into a furever home.

“We pull from high kill shelters, we take in strays and we also take in owner-surrenders,” Chambers said. “We do get a lot of medical cases that come in. We have found that there are a lot of elderly people who have had animals, and they are coming in despair. We fully vet them. We get them all the medical help they may need. If they are on lifelong medication, we make sure they have that. We spay/neuter everybody. We microchip everybody. If a dog comes in with heartworms, we treat them.”

Cookies Canine Animal Rescue and Sanctuary brings pups in need of a home to Tractor Supply and Pet Supplies Plus on alternating Saturdays for locals to visit some of the dogs that are available for adoption, as well as learn important information on caring for their pets.

“It is nice to get out and talk with the general public, because a lot of people don’t even understand how heart worms are contracted in a dog,” Chambers said. “It is important to educate people on the benefits and why it’s so important to give your dog their heartworm prevention, and make sure they have vaccines.”

For those interested in adoption from Cookies Canine Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, Chambers said if someone wants to visit a dog, they met at one of the outreach days, or is looking to visit available dogs, they can message her to schedule an appointment.

“The adoption fee is $350 for any dogs five years and under,” she said. “That is because puppies require more vaccines. All of our dogs are fully vetted. They’re spayed and neutered. They’re up to date on vaccines. They are heartworm, negative. On top of adopting from Cookies Canine Animal Rescue, we also give them a Martingale collar and leash, as well as next month’s flea, tick and heartworm prevention. They come with toys and blankets. We make sure that the dog has whatever they need to make their transition more comfortable.”

Chambers said she is passionate about caring for dogs and providing them the lives they deserve. For more information, visit Cookies Canine Animal Rescue & Sanctuary on Facebook or www.cookiesrescue.org/.

“Dogs didn’t ask to be born into a life of abandonment, abuse and neglect,” she said. “They didn’t ask for that. We have so many backyard breeders that want to make a buck, and then when they can’t, when they can’t sell them, they end up dumping them. They hurt them. Dogs are a gift from God.”