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ZEBULON - It started with a dream to help build an animal shelter that would help cats and dogs here in Pike County. Ruth Chandler and the Chandler Family provided $225,000 through the CLC Foundation Inc. to provide the building that was intended to be used as a fully-functioning, county-wide animal shelter. The shelter was built and established in 2021, but it never received the funding that is necessary to open and run the animal shelter.

Earlier this year, Ruth Chandler addressed the commissioners and asked them to either open the animal shelter by the end of the year or return the donation to her family charity so the donation could be given to Coco’s Cupboard to help house, feed, and adopt out Pike County’s stray animal population as it was intended.

To read “Chandler Confronts Commissioners on Animal Shelter Donation, “Calls $225,000 a Failed Donation,” click here: pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSanimalshelter3.6.23.html This article also contains a 20 year history of Pike County’s animal control.

In May, the Pike County Commission voted 3-2 (Guy, Proctor, Johnson in favor. Jenkins, Daniel against) to return the $225,000 donation to the Chandler Family. While many in the community expressed their dissatisfaction and even anger at this decision, Chandler said that the commissioners did exactly what she asked them to do so she could close out her relationship with the family trust to ensure that this donation could help stray animals as it was intended.

To read “BREAKING NEWS: Ruth Chandler Responds to Community Reaction to the Return of $225,000 Donation,” click here: pikecountytimes.com/secondary/BREAKINGNEWSchandler5.11.23.html.

Check Was Returned

Chandler advised Pike County Times last week that the animal shelter donation has been returned to them and that a check for $225,000 has been given to Coco’s Cupboard. “I feel great relief that the money is doing what it was meant to do,” said Ruth Chandler.

She said that she wished that things had been a little different but said that these are difficult times and wanted to leave it at that.

Chandler said that Coco’s Cupboard gives shelter and finds home for animals. They have a fostering system to help with this as well. She said that she hopes that this will help Pike County animals.

Coco’s Cupboard is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit humane society that was incorporated in Pike County in 2011 with the goal of reducing the number of abandoned pets in Pike County.

Earlier this year, Coco’s Cupboard purchased a 20,000 square foot abandoned school on 13 acres that has become their adoption center. Through the help of many volunteers and a lot of hours of hard work, The School of Coco’s Cupboard is now open at 22599 SR-85 in Gay, Georgia.

Click here to see more about what Coco’s Cupboard is doing for abandoned animals from Pike and surrounding counties: www.cocoscupboardinc.org/facility/

Coco’s Cupboard Expresses Thanks

Pike County Times contacted Coco’s Cupboard for a comment on the donation and was met was a very enthusiastic response by Suzanne Aaron, President of Coco’s Cupboard, on Saturday evening.

“We are so incredibly humbled and grateful to the Chandler foundation for their more than generous donation to Coco's Cupboard! It couldn't have come at a better time as we took 3 extraordinary cases from Pike County this week,” she said.

“We fully understand the desires of the Chandler family and vow to use this money as they envision,” Aaron said. “Their generosity will help us with our new building, and will allow us to continue our mission to rescue the mistreated, save the injured and love the abandoned.”

Closing

Thank you to the Chandlers and the CLC Foundation Inc. for attempting to help Pike County open a fully-functioning, county-wide animal shelter.

Thank you to Coco’s Cupboard Inc. for caring for and finding homes for animals that Pike County has no way to care for at this time.

You can find out more about Coco's Cupboard from https://www.cocoscupboardinc.org/.

About Coco’s Cupboard

"We are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit humane society. We are here to stem the tide of abandoned dogs and cats in the southern crescent of Atlanta. We will fight for every animal in need, and we will work tirelessly to prevent future unwanted litters, surrenders and abandonments. That is our commitment."

How Coco's Cupboard Helps

"Coco’s Cupboard, Inc. is run by volunteers and funded by donations.

With your help, we are able to offer:
• a low cost spay / neuter program
• pet rescue & rehabilitation
• fostering & adoption services
• a pet food pantry for those in need
• and more!

We have limited space for fosters and welcome new foster homes!"

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