Olympic Animal Sanctuary: Difference between revisions
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==Allegations of animal abuse== |
==Allegations of animal abuse== |
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In December 2013, an online hate campaign started on Facebook, making allegations of animal abuse, a campaign started by a former fired volunteer. The fired volunteer had aspirations of starting her own Sanctuary, a formal application was placed in 2011. An organized group of individuals incited Facebook followers to harass the sanctuary's owner, volunteers, supporters, community, city and state officials in addition to personal threats against individuals and/or businesses that they'll be next if they keep supporting the sanctuary. |
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In December 2013, after allegations of [[animal abuse]] were made by former sanctuary volunteers, Steve Markwell announced the sanctuary would be closing and he wanted to transfer the dogs to [[Best Friends Animal Society]], in Utah.<ref>{{cite web|title=Olympic Animal Sanctuary to close, its operator says|website=http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131214/news/312149975/0/SEARCH}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Best Friends Animal Society|website=http://bestfriends.org/home.aspx}}</ref> |
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An online Facebook protest against Mr. Markwell's mother, threatening to hold a physical protest of hate at the school where she worked in California. Because of the physical threats to his person, his mother, the volunteers, and community officials, Mr. Markwell began searching for rescue operations that would commit to none of the dogs being killed upon leaving his care. Several places were considered, such as [[Best Friends Animal Society]], in Utah. However, Best Friends Animal Society would only consider taking some, not all, of the dogs. <ref>{{cite web|title='Like-minded rescue groups' to be asked to take dogs from embattled shelter|website=http://peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131219/NEWS/312199979/0/SEARCH}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Best Friends Animal Society|website=http://bestfriends.org/home.aspx}}</ref> |
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Markwell loaded the dogs into a 53 foot semi-trailer on December 21st, 2013, and left Forks.”<ref>{{cite web|title=Dogs reportedly moved from Forks animal sanctuary; on the road, owner says|website=http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131221/news/312219996/0/SEARCH}}</ref> |
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Throughout the vicious intent to do harm to his person and others, Mr. Markwell's primary focus was still the safety and well being of the sanctuary dogs. Under the veil of secrecy, Mr. Markwell built special housing/carriers for the dogs in preparation for a long drive in a 53 foot semi-trailer. “I really just want the dogs, and myself, to have a life.” On December 21st, 2013, Mr. Markwell departed Forks to an undisclosed destination. <ref>{{cite web|title=ON THE RUN — Owner of controversial Forks shelter takes dogs away in semi truck. Destination: unknown|website=http://peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131222/NEWS/312229989/0/SEARCH}}</ref> |
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Unable to reach an agreement with Best Friends Animal Society,<ref>{{cite web|title=ON THE RUN — Owner of controversial Forks shelter takes dogs away in semi truck. Destination: unknown|website=http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131222/NEWS/312229989/0/SEARCH}}</ref> Markwell made arrangements with [[Guardians of Rescue]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Together We Save Them|website=http://guardiansofrescue.org/}}</ref> a New York based rescue, to take possession of the dogs on Dec. 24th 2013, at the [[RUFFF]] site in [[Golden Valley, Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rescued Unwanted Furry Friends Foundation|website=http://rufffhouse.org/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Olympic Animal Sanctuary Dogs Arrive for Christmas into Hands of Guardians of Rescue|website=http://www.insidebainbridge.com/tag/olympic-animal-sanctuary/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Saga of dogs in 'Sanctuary of Sorrow' ending well|website=http://www.kboi2.com/news/local/243999401.html}}</ref> |
Unable to reach an agreement with Best Friends Animal Society,<ref>{{cite web|title=ON THE RUN — Owner of controversial Forks shelter takes dogs away in semi truck. Destination: unknown|website=http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131222/NEWS/312229989/0/SEARCH}}</ref> Markwell made arrangements with [[Guardians of Rescue]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Together We Save Them|website=http://guardiansofrescue.org/}}</ref> a New York based rescue, to take possession of the dogs on Dec. 24th 2013, at the [[RUFFF]] site in [[Golden Valley, Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rescued Unwanted Furry Friends Foundation|website=http://rufffhouse.org/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Olympic Animal Sanctuary Dogs Arrive for Christmas into Hands of Guardians of Rescue|website=http://www.insidebainbridge.com/tag/olympic-animal-sanctuary/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Saga of dogs in 'Sanctuary of Sorrow' ending well|website=http://www.kboi2.com/news/local/243999401.html}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 19:09, 9 April 2015
The now defunct Olympic Animal Sanctuary (OAS) was located in Forks, Washington State.[1] It was a 501(c)3 non-profit animal sanctuary, founded in 2006.
Overview
The sanctuary's primary exempt purpose was, "Prevention of cruelty to animals".
A Los Angeles Times article about the sanctuary, indicated some of the dogs were, "the worst of the worst from around the country."[2] A People Magazine article about Steve Markwell outlined the purpose of the sanctuary, referring to it as a, "Last Chance for Bad Dogs."[3]
Allegations of animal abuse
In December 2013, an online hate campaign started on Facebook, making allegations of animal abuse, a campaign started by a former fired volunteer. The fired volunteer had aspirations of starting her own Sanctuary, a formal application was placed in 2011. An organized group of individuals incited Facebook followers to harass the sanctuary's owner, volunteers, supporters, community, city and state officials in addition to personal threats against individuals and/or businesses that they'll be next if they keep supporting the sanctuary.
An online Facebook protest against Mr. Markwell's mother, threatening to hold a physical protest of hate at the school where she worked in California. Because of the physical threats to his person, his mother, the volunteers, and community officials, Mr. Markwell began searching for rescue operations that would commit to none of the dogs being killed upon leaving his care. Several places were considered, such as Best Friends Animal Society, in Utah. However, Best Friends Animal Society would only consider taking some, not all, of the dogs. [4][5]
Throughout the vicious intent to do harm to his person and others, Mr. Markwell's primary focus was still the safety and well being of the sanctuary dogs. Under the veil of secrecy, Mr. Markwell built special housing/carriers for the dogs in preparation for a long drive in a 53 foot semi-trailer. “I really just want the dogs, and myself, to have a life.” On December 21st, 2013, Mr. Markwell departed Forks to an undisclosed destination. [6]
Unable to reach an agreement with Best Friends Animal Society,[7] Markwell made arrangements with Guardians of Rescue,[8] a New York based rescue, to take possession of the dogs on Dec. 24th 2013, at the RUFFF site in Golden Valley, Arizona.[9][10][11]
Many of the sanctuary's dogs that were released to Guardians of Rescue, were taken in by other organizations or placed into homes. The remaining dogs are being networked by RUFFF and Guardians of Rescue.[12]
Charity status
On July 29, 2015, the Washington State Attorney General announced a complaint was filed against Markwell.[13] According to the Attorney General’s complaint, filed in Clallam County Superior Court, Markwell is accused of unlawfully soliciting and collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in charitable donations while not being registered as a charity with the Secretary of State and he also failed to maintain records of how the charitable donations were spent.[14]
References
- ^ "IRS Form 990-EZ". 990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/260/260886993/260886993_201112_990EZ.pdf?_ga=1.87635536.971836058.1422910819.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Taming dogs with a mean streak". http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/11/nation/la-na-bad-dogs11-2009dec11.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help) - ^ "Last Chance for Bad Dogs". http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20358170,00.html.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help) - ^ "'Like-minded rescue groups' to be asked to take dogs from embattled shelter". http://peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131219/NEWS/312199979/0/SEARCH.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help) - ^ "Best Friends Animal Society". http://bestfriends.org/home.aspx.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help) - ^ "ON THE RUN — Owner of controversial Forks shelter takes dogs away in semi truck. Destination: unknown". http://peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131222/NEWS/312229989/0/SEARCH.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help) - ^ "ON THE RUN — Owner of controversial Forks shelter takes dogs away in semi truck. Destination: unknown". http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20131222/NEWS/312229989/0/SEARCH.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help) - ^ "Together We Save Them". http://guardiansofrescue.org/.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help) - ^ "Rescued Unwanted Furry Friends Foundation". http://rufffhouse.org/.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help) - ^ "Olympic Animal Sanctuary Dogs Arrive for Christmas into Hands of Guardians of Rescue". http://www.insidebainbridge.com/tag/olympic-animal-sanctuary/.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help) - ^ "Saga of dogs in 'Sanctuary of Sorrow' ending well". http://www.kboi2.com/news/local/243999401.html.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help) - ^ "Pit bull survived hellish trip from Washington with 123 other dogs, needs a home". http://kdminer.com/main.asp?SectionID=228&SubSectionID=846&ArticleID=61542.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help) - ^ "Attorney General sues owner of Olympic Animal Sanctuary". http://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/attorney-general-sues-owner-olympic-animal-sanctuary.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help) - ^ "UPDATED — State Attorney General sues now-defunct Forks dog shelter, owner". http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20140730/NEWS/307309987/state-attorney-general-sues-now-defunct-forks-dog-shelter-owner.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website=|url=(help)