A Dream Built Around Animals
A safe place where rescued animals can live out their lives in peace and love.
Our Mission
Too often, farm animals find themselves in a situation where they are not treated humanely or are not able to stay in their current situation through no fault of their own.
At Sammamish Animal Sanctuary, we provide a safe place for these beautiful animals to live out their lives in peace and love from the many volunteers and visitors who interact with them every day.
All of our animals are rescues, as we do not breed or sell any animals. We are thrilled to offer visitors the opportunity to meet these lovely animals and learn more about each of them and their journey to our sanctuary.
A Dream Takes Root
Once upon a time, a little 11-year-old girl named Diane had a dream: to build a sanctuary where unwanted animals could live out their lives being loved and cared for.
She even drew a picture of what the sanctuary would look like. Today, it is on display on our history wall.
“We Had Pastures That Needed to Be Filled.”
Fast forward to a time when Diane and her husband, Don Gockel, moved to a 6-acre property in Sammamish and began rescuing animals.
Neighbors found their way to the animals and frequently visited with carrots and treats. Diane realized this place was too special to keep a secret.
2016
A Sanctuary for the Community
In 2016, Diane created a nonprofit organization to support the rescues and share these extraordinary animals with the community.
What began as a family’s love for animals became a place where the entire community could participate.
2022
Room to Grow
By June 2022, Diane and Don found they needed more space for the sanctuary and moved to its current location in Renton, Washington.
The sanctuary remains free to all visitors and also hosts summer camps for kids, goat yoga, birthday parties, and special events.
And They’re Just Getting Started
100+
Animals have called the sanctuary home.
50,000+
Visitors come to the sanctuary each year.
100+
Of volunteers lend a hand.
Over the 10-plus years the Gockels have been rescuing animals, the sanctuary has seen more than 100 animals living their best lives. With dozens of volunteers lending a hand and more than 50,000 visitors each year, there will likely be many more to come.