Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an animal sanctuary?
- Is there really a need for sanctuaries?
- What kind of animals do you have?
- Can't the dogs be adopted?
- Isn't it dangerous having all of those aggressive dogs in one place?
- Where is the sanctuary located?
- What's the weather like?
- What are you doing to raise money?
- How can I help?
- What is an animal sanctuary?
An animal sanctuary is a permanent home for animals that have been abused, neglected, obtained or imported illegally, or have simply exceeded their owners' capabilities to care for them. Sanctuaries provide the highest level of care to their animals, including proper nutrition, veterinary care, and enrichment programs. They are closed to the general public, and they do not buy, sell, trade, or breed their animals. (In some cases, sanctuaries may take part in legitimate captive breeding programs for endangered species, however this rarely happens, as so few of these breeding programs ever result in animals being reintroduced into the wild.) In the United States, most legitimate sanctuaries are accredited, and may be required to possess licenses from the United States Department of Agriculture and state agencies, as well as any necessary local permits. Most sanctuaries are nonprofit (501(c)(3)) corporations registered with the IRS and with their states. They operate entirely on money from grants, donations, and fundraising programs. (back to top)
Is there really a need for sanctuaries? Many millions of animals are killed each year because there is simply no place for them to go. Dogs and cats make up the overwhelming majority, and while most of the rest are small animals like reptiles and birds, larger animals like wolves, bears, and big cats are increasingly common in captivity, and are frequently in need of suitable, permanent homes. Animals that are potentially dangerous or require specialized care are usually better suited to life in a sanctuary than to life in a traditional home environment. (back to top)
What kind of animals do you have? Olympic Animal Sanctuary is currently safe haven for non-adoptable dogs, as well as a small number of reptiles. (back to top)
Can't the dogs be adopted? We only accept non-adoptable dogs at Olympic Animal Sanctuary; these include dogs that have been the victims of dog fighting, dogs that have killed other animals or injured people, or dogs that have been labeled 'aggressive' or 'vicious' by the authorities and are considered a liability if adopted. Certainly every one of the dogs at the Sanctuary could be adopted, but because we take only the most severe cases, the chances of a qualified caregiver becoming available are quite slim. We feel that at this time, we have more to offer strictly as a sanctuary, rather than competing with other area animal welfare organizations for adoptive homes. (back to top)
Isn't it dangerous having all of those aggressive dogs in one place? We don't call them 'aggressive' -- our dogs are fearful, confused, or misunderstood when they come to us, and we work to make them happy, healthy, and safe. As far as the danger, we are very careful to ensure that our dogs are safely contained, and we keep tight control over who is allowed to have contact with them. Volunteers are heavily screened, and children are not allowed on the property. Most of the dogs are able to socialize with their own kind in addition to enjoying the company of their human companions, but we keep their social groups small for the safety of the dogs and humans alike. (back to top)
Where is the sanctuary located? We are currently located in Forks, Washington, on the west side of the Olympic Peninsula. (back to top)
What's the weather like? There are a lot of misconceptions about Washington weather, but rest assured, this area was chosen because of the mild climate. The sanctuary's current location is in Forks, where we have very rainy winters, but the temperature rarely drops below 30 degrees F. On average, our winter lows are the same as those in Dallas, Texas or Gainesville, Florida. However, our summers are much cooler, less humid, and generally more pleasant. To see our current weather conditions, check out the right-hand side of this page, where we've installed an Accu-Weather display. (back to top)
What are you doing to raise money? We accept donations online and through the mail, and we have quite a few products for sale in our store. (back to top)
How can I help? You can help us reach our goals in a few ways: you can spread the word about this website and give us a link on your homepage or weblog; you can make a donation; you can buy something from our store; if you want to be more directly involved in our work, you can volunteer or intern. (back to top)
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