Forks, Washington isn’t just known for vampires and Twilight. Lately, the Olympic Animal Sanctuary has been attracting attention in the media. Talk has been circulating that animal hoarding and abuse is occurring at a dog rescue called Olympic Animal Sanctuary, housed right inside of Forks.
Established in 2006, the Olympic Animal Sanctuary currently houses 150 dogs, some of which have been deemed “dangerous”. Many of these dogs are also wolf and coyote-hybrids, and dogs who have long bite histories or have been rescued off of chains. These dogs did not have anywhere else to go, and OAS had been their last resort. Steve Markwell, Executive Director and founder of this “sanctuary” has promised that he will take all of these dogs and provide veterinary care, shelter, food and love for each and every one of them. However, that does not seem to be the case. Since 2012, reports have been coming in that these dogs are in fact, not reveling in such care. In fact, many of these dogs have been found to be living in travel crates too small to move around in, stacked on top of each other, while sitting in urine and feces soaked straw with no access to clean water or food– deplorable conditions and the total opposite of what was promised by Markwell. Despite 300 pieces of photographic evidence and former volunteer testimonials that these dogs are living in such heinous conditions, Markwell adamantly claims that this is not the case and that a former volunteer is merely committing a smear campaign towards him and his beloved “sanctuary”. Meanwhile, as these accusations are mounting, 150 innocent, scared and malnourished dogs are sitting in their own excrement-stained bedding, clinging onto dear life.
I find this utterly disturbing.
It is worse enough that Markwell is denying all of these claims and exclaiming that they are facetious. What is worse is that Forks Police Department, the Forks City Council and even the Washington governor are all turning a blind eye. They are aiding and abetting Markwell in animal cruelty and this needs to be stopped.
I urge everyone to contact the authorities below. Ask the officials why they are allowing the dogs to remain in these conditions and why they are not adhering to animal abuse laws. Lastly, sign the online petition, here.
Rod Fleck, Forks WA City Attorney:
360-374-5412 ext. 245
rodf.forks@centurytel.net
Rick Bart, The Forks Police Department- Police Administrator:
360-374-2223
Mayor Bryon Monohon:
bmon.forks@forkswashington.org
City Council Woman Juanita Weissefels:
juanweis@centurytel.net
Clallam County Sheriff- Bill Benedict, Sheriff:
360-417-2262
Undersheriff Ron Peregrin:
sheriff@co.clallam.wa.us
Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney:
360-417-2301
web_prosecutor@co.clallam.wa.us
Governor Jay Inslee:
360-902-4111
Jen Yu 