Olympic Animal Sanctuary

The WA Attorney General's Office has filed an extensive complaint against the operator of the Olympic Animal Sanctuary.

More information can be obtained by visiting the WA Attorney General's website, reading several online articles from the PeninsulaDailyNews and Forks Forum or visiting the FaceBook page, OAS - life inside the sanctuary.

Alleged fraud w/misuse of large donations, w/lawsuits by donors - Director fails to appear at court.
Soliciting funds when no longer non-profit in state of WA
Lost status w/WA state for failure to report 990
Reports being filed with IRS by various citizens for fraudulent solicitation of funds
this "Sanctuary" is currently closed after evidence of severe neglect & abuse, numerous protests, and pressure from citizens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xz6xcqgkjg

THIS SANCTUARY IS NO LONGER A NON PROFIT AND SHOULD NOT BE ASKING FOR DONATIONS

Continue to support OAS and YOU will enable further Animal Abuse under this Sanctuary From HELL! Be sure to personally visit a place you donate to. Do Not simply send Money based on what the owner/operator writes. One emotional ride for me and one traumatic life for the dogs of OAS. 100's of dogs... Not fed , not bathed, not cared for, left in travel carriers to only suffer further trauma or die! Never donate any funds to Steve Markwell or ANY entity associated with this name! Now that the dogs were saved by thousands around the world...Make sure he doesn't do this again! DO NOT SEND ANYTHING!
This Man must Never own another Sanctuary, Kennel, Rescue, Shelter, or Pet!

I stood in front of the Olympic Animal Sanctuary for two days (12/08/13 and 12/12/13) protesting the treatment and abuse of the 120+ dogs being held in filthy crates and wire cages. The owner of the sanctuary, showed little regard or care for the starving, sick dogs he has hoarded over the years. This is not a sanctuary for dogs - it is a hell-on-earth, fate worse than death. The dogs cries, howls and moans made me cry, and the stench of death and decay and other putrid odors fills the air surrounding the unheated metal warehouse where these poor dogs are forced to live. Sad, sad, sad. New Info: 1/6/14 OAS has given up the dogs and is in the process of dissolving/closing OAS. I donated $1.00 on 1/1/14 in memory of the dogs that died at OAS to see if OAS was still taking donations. They are.

I have very much appreciated the tremendously hard work that Steve Markwell has dedicated to saving dogs others wanted to see dead. The Olympic Animal Sanctuary is located in the terrific city of Forks, Washington. It has been heart-warming to see a small town of good people, tolerate an invasion of 'protestors' with civility and class. These pathetic individuals have not been authentic protestors, they have been vindictive lunatics with a personal agenda to hate all-things Steve Markwell and OAS.

Please consider a donation to go towards the accrued vet bills for these great dogs and/or for legal costs OAS has to have endured because of the malicious and false claims the have been made.

Please visit www.olympicanimalsanctuary.org to learn more and consider clicking on the donation button today. Thank you~!

Do not under any circumstance make a donation to this organization. They currently have no animals in their care and the 124 dogs that they did have were driven through the night to an undisclosed location and arrived malnourished, dehydrated and severely neglected. Please do your research, there are plenty of news articles about this house of horrors.

The conditions of the animals speak for themselves. The cages, crates food dishes, floors, bedding and animals are saturated with urine and exrement. Markwell admits to feeding the animals only three days a week. He admits that the animals do not receive daily exercise. he admits that the odor of ammonia from the old urine is a problem.

I see people giving glowing reviews of OAS and I can only wonder that they receive money, goods, perks from Markwell who under a 501 (c) 3 designation declared over $150,000 in donations in 2011. He has not filed for 2012.

Markwell has threatened to kill the dogs if they are taken from OAS. He has been arrested for assaulting a female protester. This is not the sign of a stable man.

Take a look at the link below, this is a pink warehouse of horrors! http://petfriendsmagazine.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/oas-prr_201312121416111.pdf

I've seen OAS. It's a small warehouse surrounded by junk. The dogs are stored in crates stacked in the darkness of the nearly windowless building. They get about an hour a day from a guy who is paid to care for them. The owner spends his time at a nearby coffee shop. No one is allowed inside except the one staff person. The police photos taken last year are horrific. The year before that the OAS volunteers quit because the place was so dirty and crowded and the close confinement of dogs in crates was making the dogs crazy. The owner agreed that there were problems but did nothing about them. Now OAS is the focus of multiple lawsuits. The place should have been shut down years ago. If you are a donor or placed a dog there, I strongly urge you to file a complaint with the state Attorney Generals' office. You can find the complaint form on the AG's website.

I gave a one only because I couldn't give a zero.

I donate to money and occasionally needed items to Rescues in need... BUT, I also look into each rescue I donate to first. I want my donations to go to feeding the dogs, caring for them, medicine, helping them heal from the horrors humans' have done to them... and I COULD NOT donate to a place like this-
I have seen the police Photos, read the articles and commentary from people who had investigated this place, I have read both the protesters' comments and the devoted advocates' comments for this place---and I ask myself why there is no one saying they have BEEN THERE from those devoutly advocating for this place, no recent photos beyond those taken by police, -no people were allowed to tour, to inspect, to SEE the place. I don't see clear records of financials, I do not see volunteers, and those few I did locate had been removed from volunteering and had MORE photos of the horrors of this place. It reeks of an ANIMAL HOARDING case, it reeks of a desperate person refusing to see he is KILLING those dogs he professes he is there to save.
Why the state has done nothing to fix this is beyond me... This is as unprecedented situation of ongoing abuse and a law enforcement system that refuses to step in.
I won't say this man does not love his dogs- despite the horrors he is creating- I DO BELIEVE this is hoarding... and I can not donate to a hoarder and help this sickness continue. SOMEONE needs to step up and save the dogs- they are innocent.
Just as an fyi Locals of this rescue, neighbors near it, animal waste and dead dogs can contaminate your water, land, and create Cholera...

I DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE THIS PLACE ANY STARS BUT I HAD TO CHOOSE ONE OR MY REVIEW WOULDN'T GET ENTERED. DOGS ARE DYING AT THIS SO CALLED SANCTUARY!!! DOG'S DESERVE BETTER HAS BEEN THERE SINCE LAST TUESDAY AND JUST YESTERDAY WAS THE FIRST TIME ANYONE ENTERED THE BUILDING. OVER 120 DOGS ARE LIVING IN AN UNHEATED WAREHOUSE IN SMALL TRAVEL CRATES, THEY CAN'T EVEN MOVE IN THESE CRATES AND THEY ARE BEING FED TWICE A WEEK, IF THEY ARE LUCKY, THEY ARE LIVING IN THESE CRATES 24/7! DOG'S DESERVE BETTER REPS HAVE REPORTED THAT IT SMELLS LIKE DEATH OUTSIDE THE WAREHOUSE AND NEIGHBORS ARE SAYING THE SAME THING. NEIGHBORS WANT THE PLACE TO BE CLOSED DOWN BUT ARE AFRAID TO DO ANYTHING, THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF DOGS BEING POISONED BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKE UP. THE AUTHORITIES IN FORKS WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS SITUATION. PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP THESE DOGS BEFORE THEY ARE ALL DEAD!!!!!

My last review was removed because it "Violates the Community Guidelines". Apparently we are only allowed to put GOOD reviews on here. So, for anyone who is even thinking about this place, google it. There is a lawsuit pending. There are protesters being arrested by Forks Police for protesting (the horrible conditions (on public property across from this place. I am appalled that this site will not allow the TRUTH to be written about this shameful place. The impact of this place still being hopen is life changing because these dogs are dying for lack of proper care.

Steve Markwell is doing fantastic work with these dogs that would otherwise be put to death. It is incredible to see some of these dogs, that have been abused or beaten, that are scared or shy, come out of their shell and start to trust someone. I commend his dedication and passion for these dogs. For a dog that has bitten someone, and has been declared dangerous, it doesn't have to be a death sentence. Olympic Animal Sanctuary gives these dogs a second chance at life. I would personally like to thank Steve Markwell and all of the wonderful volunteers at OAS for what they do, every day.

Director and Founder Steve Markwell has saved the lives of countless dogs otherwise doomed to Euthanasia by law. OAS relies solely on contributions so send $$$, donate dog food or donate to Forks Vet. This is ALOT of dogs to care for. He has dedicated years to dogs that were deemed dangerous. The sanctuary has struggled but is experiencing newfound interest from the community and nationwide. OAS experienced a bump in the road like many organizations, but is turning things around. Your help is needed and always appreciated.

Sanctuary of Shame....police records/animal cruelty citation/legal docs for your review.
http://olympicanimalsanctuary.info/police-report---legal-docs.html

This is a hell for dogs. Why do individuals and organizations donate to OAS when the animals are terribly abused, mistreated and some have died. No one is allowed inside. WHY. If you have nothing to hide and really care about the animals, then you would allow the public to check out the conditions of the dogs. I want to know what is happening to them. My fear is that they are dying from no food, water and shelter (no heat or air). Never get out of cages. Some cages are way to small for the animals. Why are authorities in Forks allowing this man to mistreat these animals? The OAS was a place for dogs deemed dangerous to spend out there days. WHY were puppies born there and never allowed to leave and have a normal life? Please forward this information to anyone you know. We need help in getting this abuser of animals closed down. Don't give money to the OAS, bring donations of food, blankets, kennels, clean water, food and water containers. I am sure that the OAS needs all of these things for the dogs but does not spend any money on them. Only donations please!!!!!. Lets see if he excepts them or not.
Also, what has happened to some of the dogs? Did he sell them, fight them, etc.

I cannot in good faith call this a sanctuary. From what I have seen from the pics taken by the police dept of Forks, Washington, these animals are abused and neglected. I have not seen any pictures to prove otherwise. My opinion, this place needs shut down and these animals helped by someone who cares.

Olympic Animal Sanctuary (OAS) is located in Forks, Washington. It is run by one man who is considered a hoarder, who keeps over 100 dogs in small travel crates, unsanitary conditions, little or no vet care, fed only sporadically raw, fetid meat and housed in a unheated, unairconditioned building. He refuses all help, will not adopt out any of the adoptable dogs and will let no one into the building. Forks police department did investigate, took many photos showing neglect, green water, filthy urine soaked bedding, gaping wounds, and deplorable, abusive conditions. Unfortunately, their report was never filed with the city so places such as the ASPCA, PETA, or other animal rescue agencies will not investigate because there is not on official complaint. Several rescue agencies have offered help and are standing by to take the dogs and do what is best for them. Several volunteers have offered to help...refused. There is proof that this man has been given substantial donations but very little has benefitted the dogs. It has shown he has taken expensive trips and used the money for many other things unrelated to the care of the dogs. No one in Forks will help to end this abuse, starting from the mayor, city attorney, sheriff department, or elected officials in the State of Washington. There are several testimonies from former volunteers attesting to the abuse and conditions of the dogs. All have been ignored. This man has been offered help, he has been ask to show proof that changes have been made but refuses to allow anyone inside. Komo News station out of Seattle, WA did a story on this a few weeks ago, but he refused to let them in or to be interviewed. This sanctuary of horror needs to be closed down!

Mr. Markwell is a crook, plain and simple. Donations go to his various overseas trips and who knows what else, but not to the dogs who so desperately need regular feedings, adequate shelter and veterinary care. The town of Forks and it's officials have turned a blind eye to the horrific conditions at this so-called shelter for some time now. It's way past time to shut it down.

This supposed non profit is no such entity. This place is a horrific situation for supposed dangerous dogs. Concerned citizens and former volunteers have bewn trying to have the Owner close his pathetic operation down for years. For details on this place, please visit the Facebook page created by former vovolunteers at; OAS-life inside the sanctuary.

The conditions at Olympic Animal Sanctuary are horrific! Animals kept in crates and cages.... never going outside.....fed 2 times/week.......no vetting.....no socialization with people......no heat in the winter or fresh air in the summer. This is a metal building which warehouses dogs.