Sammamish Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit animal sanctuary where neglected, abused, or homeless animals are cared for and loved, for the rest of their lives. It started when a little girl, then 11 years old drew a picture of a farm she hoped to have one day.  That “little girl” never forgot her dream and later created what is now called Sammamish Animal Sanctuary, with her husband, in the heart of Sammamish, Washington. That original “art piece” is on the wall by the Boardwalk in Tiny Town. Diane grew up in Bridle Trails, a horsey area in Bellevue, and loved animals from the moment she was born.  Her father affectionately called her the Animal Lady when she was young.  Diane rescued all the neighborhood bunnies, birds, snails, stray cats and even a stray dog when she was just a child and got her first horse on her 11th birthday. 

Diane Odegard later married Don Gockel in 1985 and they raised four children, Julie, Annie, Dan, and Tom. They were living in Medina, but Diane missed the country life and convinced the family to move to Sammamish on a 6-acre farm. Diane reignited her rescuing passion, adding animals needing a new home to her pastures.  Curious neighbors began to visit daily, and Don and Diane always invited them to come visit the latest rescues. Diane even put up a sign with the rescue’s name and picture so neighbors could call them by name. Word spread and many in the community wanted to help and donate so they created a non-profit 501c3 in 2016.  Diane and Don continued to personally fund all the structures and fences on the property so that 100% of any donations went to the care and food of the rescues. Volunteers and neighbors helped by feeding and pasture cleaning, adding flowers to the entry and even replaced Amelia’s shed when it burned down. 

In 2021, Don and Diane decided that the sanctuary needed a place of its own if it was going to live beyond them (not to mention that their own property was filled with visitors daily☺). They bought an old barn on 5.35 acres on May Valley Road where the sanctuary is now located. Don and Diane worked tirelessly designing the farm pastures and renovating the barn.  They added new doors, a new roof, and all new fencing. So many others contributed as well (see our Thank You board).

In May 2022 the animals were moved to the new sanctuary in Renton.

Despite many who have tried to convince Diane to charge to enter, SAS remains free to visitors. Diane and Don feel it is important to offer equal access to the rescues, regardless of one’s ability to pay. Most visitors are very generous with the sanctuary which allows others to come at no charge. SAS offers summer kid’s camps, birthday parties and events which help to fund the rescue. Diane has written 8 children’s books about the animals that have lived on the farm from the animal’s point of view.  These books are available at the farm and on Amazon.com. SAS has been on the local news three times and voted one of the top places to take your kids in the Seattle area.

Today, Sammamish Animal Sanctuary is the home to 60 plus rescues, over 100 volunteers and is living testimony of what can happen when a community comes together for the love of animals and when a little girl has a dream, she will not give up on…

Enjoy your Visit!

To learn more about the amazing Sammamish Animal Sanctuary team, click here!