Pomona, NY – For more than four years, a dog named Cookie has been waiting for something many household pets experience every day: a home of her own. At the RG CARES Animal Shelter in Pomona, she has become a familiar face to staff and volunteers, but a permanent family has remained out of reach.
Cookie, a pit bull terrier estimated to be at least eight years old, is among the shelter’s longest-waiting residents. Her story highlights the importance of animal adoption and the opportunities available for Rockland County residents to help shelter animals, even when bringing a pet home permanently is not an option.
According to her adoption profile, Cookie enjoys car rides, swimming, kayaking, outdoor adventures, and spending time with people. She also enjoys relaxing and cuddling, making her a potential companion for someone who appreciates both an active dog and quieter moments at home.
Cookie is described as house-trained, vaccinated, spayed, and familiar with basic commands. However, finding the right household requires consideration of her individual needs.
Four Legs Good NY/NJ, the nonprofit organization operating the shelter, recommends placing Cookie in a home without other dogs or cats. A household with older children and experience caring for larger dogs would be preferable.
While these requirements may limit the number of suitable adopters, they are intended to help create a safe and lasting placement.
In April 2026, News 12 Hudson Valley reported that shelter representatives had become concerned about Cookie’s well-being, including changes in her appetite during her extended stay. Her current condition has not been independently confirmed.
Cookie’s situation also demonstrates why volunteers play an important role in shelter operations.
At RG CARES, residents who may not be able to adopt an animal can still contribute by spending time with dogs, taking them on walks, or providing companionship and socialization.
The opportunities are not limited to dogs. The shelter also welcomes volunteers interested in interacting and playing with cats, helping them become more comfortable around people, and providing attention while they await adoption.
Volunteers can assist with small animals, routine care, cleaning, laundry, adoption events, and other shelter activities.
For animals spending extended periods in a shelter, these interactions provide exercise, mental stimulation, and opportunities for positive experiences outside their usual enclosures.
Four Legs Good provides training, and volunteers are matched with activities based on their interests and abilities.
The organization is holding a new volunteer orientation on Saturday, November 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Pomona shelter.
The session will introduce participants to shelter procedures and allow them to meet staff and animals. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to work directly with animals and at least 18 to work directly with dogs.
Residents interested in helping can complete an application through the Four Legs Good website or contact the volunteer coordinator at volunteer@4lg.org or 845-414-9700.
Another way to make a difference is through fostering.
Four Legs Good offers a foster program through which approved participants temporarily care for animals in their homes while the organization works toward permanent adoption.
Fostering can provide animals with a quieter, more individualized environment and can help them adjust to household routines.
The organization works with prospective foster families to determine suitable placements based on their availability and experience. Medical care is provided by the rescue, along with food and supplies when needed.
Residents interested in fostering Cookie specifically should contact the shelter to determine whether she is eligible for the program.
These efforts come as Rockland County prepares for a significant change in its animal shelter facilities.
Rockland Green is developing a modern replacement for the existing RG CARES shelter, which operates from an older building at 65 Firemen’s Memorial Drive.
The planned new facility in Haverstraw is designed to provide expanded accommodations for dogs, cats, and smaller animals, along with updated spaces for animal care and shelter operations.
Rockland Green issued a solicitation on October 30 seeking an organization to operate the new shelter, with proposals due January 6, 2027. A confirmed opening date and future operator have not yet been announced.
While improved facilities can benefit the animals and those caring for them, adoption, fostering, and community involvement remain central to the shelter’s mission.
Four Legs Good has operated RG CARES since September 2023, providing care for homeless and abandoned animals while working to place them in appropriate homes.
For residents interested in adopting, volunteering, or fostering, the shelter is located at 65 Firemen’s Memorial Drive in Pomona. Regular public hours are noon to 5 p.m., Thursday through Tuesday, with Wednesdays closed.
Additional information and applications are available at www.fourlegsgoodnynj.org or by calling 845-414-9700.
Cookie’s current adoption availability should be confirmed directly with the shelter.
For more than four years, Cookie has depended on shelter workers and volunteers for companionship and care. Whether someone chooses to adopt, foster, or simply spend time walking a dog or socializing a cat, that involvement can make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals still waiting for a permanent home.