Rescues endangered

Two years ago, Gina Kantzabedian, owner of Animal Crackers Pet Supply in Laguna Beach, rescued an Egyptian pharaoh hound named Angel, who had just given birth to eight puppies at a local high-kill animal shelter.

Kantzabedian said a full-grown dog of this breed typically weighs 40 pounds. Due to mistreatment by her former “caretakers” at the shelter, Angel weighed 9 pounds.

“You could count every bone in her little body,” she said.

After an excruciating 18-day rescue mission, Angel’s puppies were so malnourished that only four made it home with Kantzabedian and her crew.

A few days later, two of the surviving four also died from malnutrition.

“They didn’t feed Angel at the shelter,” Kantzabedian said. “In turn, she couldn’t nourish her puppies.

“It took me eight months to nurse Angel back to health.”

Sadly, she said, Angel’s story is an ordinary occurrence in high-kill shelters. It is for this reason that this animal lover has devoted the past 20 years of her life to saving pets’ lives through her Animal Crackers Pet Rescue organization.

The nonprofit, whose mission is to rescue adoptable pets and place them with loving families, is fully supported by proceeds from the pet supply store, which is now in danger of closing its doors.

“I opened the store four years ago to help support my rescue efforts,” she said. “All of the profits benefit these animals.

“If the store doesn’t make money, I no longer have [the means] to rescue as many pets.”

Unlike with most other pet-saving organizations, Kantzabedian’s rescues live with her.

“I keep them for 30 to 60 days, so I can get to know everything there is to know about them,” Kantzabedian said. “I know their personalities, habits and any health issues that come up in the time they’re with me. This helps me find the best home for them.

“And if no one adopts them, I keep them.”

Baby, a 3-year-old Chihuahua she adopted as a small puppy, is still with her.

In addition to high-kill shelters, she also rescues pets from locals who can no longer care for them or who simply don’t want them.

“I even had a lady drop her puppy off to me because it grew past the size she expected and didn’t fit in her bag,” she said. “Pets shouldn’t be treated as property, but as family members.”

To endorse this concept, Kantzabedian protests puppy mills and does not charge for adoption — despite the approximate $870 it costs her to rescue each dog and cat.

“And that’s only if they don’t have health problems,” she said.

Animal Crackers places about 250 dogs and 80 cats a year, all of which have received veterinary shots and been spayed, neutered and microchipped.

Kantzabedian even sends each pet home with its own unique care package.

“About 90% of my adoptive parents are from Laguna,” she said. “If these people bought their pet supplies from my store, it would be enough to keep my doors open and the rescue efforts going.”

Kantzabedian’s adoration for animals developed as a small child, when she felt compelled to rescue every animal that crossed her path.

“I would walk home from grade school and ‘rescue’ every stray cat and dog I saw,” Kantzabedian said. “Even the ones with collars.

“The animals come to me for love and kindness and in return, they fill my heart,” she said. “I know my life’s job is to share them with those empty hearts who really deserve them.”

To help support Animal Crackers’ rescue efforts, you can shop at the store, where 100% of the proceeds will benefit the pets.

Donations can also be mailed to 30822 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 92651.