About
“You don’t want a cat with only one eye…”
Abandoned and abused, I knew I had to save her
How a stray cat started this sanctuary
In the late 1990s, a very special kitty found her way to me. Noodles came from a high-kill shelter in Pomona, California. I was in the adoption room for cats, looking for someone to save. It was heart-wrenching to see so many cats in those cold steel cages.
Each one had a story and wanted someone to love them. It broke my heart to think I could only take one. I walked from cage to cage, and a white paw reached out to me. I peered through the bars and saw a sickly gray and white cat. I asked the attendant to unlock her cage. He grabbed his keys and said,
“You don’t want this cat. There are plenty of cats here with two eyes.”
I had not noticed she only had one eye until he said that. It didn’t matter to me that she was missing an eye. If anything, it made me want her even more. I held her close, and she leaned into me. She was all skin and bones. I could hear an upper respiratory infection rattling in her lungs as she tried to purr.
“I’ll take her.”
At that moment, the first domino activated for a lifelong dream of mine to open a sanctuary for companion animals. I began saving the pets no one else wanted. Dogs, cats, parrots, or horses, it didn’t matter that they were missing limbs, blind, deaf, or elderly.
Toby and Monroe were two black and white kittens left to die of starvation. Jake and Elwood were tiny black kittens with severe upper respiratory infection. Kimber, a Rottweiler/Lab mix saved from a neglectful owner, and many more followed.
We are family
Rescue work is a non-stop commitment. We are family operated, and work 7 days a week, 365 days a year, saving pets and caring for our rescues. We consider every soul we save to be part of our family.
We are 100% privately funded by generous humans who love animals.
No government funding.
Our mission includes TNR for feral cat colonies. TNR is Trap-Neuter-Return. We established a spay-and-neuter program, providing more than 700 felines with proper veterinary care.
We have rescued thousands of animals…
Noodles, the kitty who started it all, grew into an active, loving girl. She enjoyed a full and happy life with the other animals for another eleven years. Sadly, she lost her battle with cancer on a cold February morning in 2001, but her legacy lives on.
In 2021, the Painted Rain Ranch Animal Sanctuary was officially launched. The property is located on 30 beautiful acres in Eastern Washington with giant evergreens, open pasture, fruit orchards, gardens, and a year-round spring.
What makes us unique:
We rely on private donations to continue our mission to save pets overlooked at shelters or abandoned by heartless humans.
We are their last home, a final refuge. These animals have suffered enough. There are no adoptions or rehoming experiences in their future. A true forever home.
We only take in new rescues when a space opens up. Our residents all have a different story about how they got here. Some were strays or were overlooked at shelters due to their color, age, or behavior problems. Others have severe medical issues, such as painful mouth ulcers ( stomatitis ), diabetes, blindness, or mobility issues.
We provide ongoing lifetime veterinary care and medication so the animals enjoy a full and comfortable life.
We work with local shelters and save the pets with no adoption applications.
We save the pets no one else wants.
Guiding the Heart of Painted Rain Ranch Animal Sanctuary
The Board of Directors at the Painted Rain Ranch provides the vision, stewardship, and compassionate leadership that make our sanctuary possible. Each member brings a deep commitment to senior, hospice, and special‑needs animals — ensuring that every resident receives the love, dignity, and comfort they deserve.
Our board oversees the sanctuary’s long‑term mission, financial sustainability, ethical standards, and community partnerships. With decades of combined experience in animal welfare, nonprofit development, and compassionate care, they help shape a future where vulnerable animals are safe, seen, and cherished.
Our Commitment
- Upholding our mission to provide lifelong sanctuary for senior and end‑of‑life animals
- Ensuring responsible governance and transparent stewardship of donations and resources
- Supporting our caregivers and volunteers with guidance, encouragement, and advocacy
- Expanding community outreach to bring awareness to the needs of aging and medically fragile animals
- Honoring every life with respect, gentleness, and individualized care
A Team United by Love and Purpose
Our board members are more than leaders — they are guardians of the sanctuary’s heart. Their dedication ensures that Painted Rain Ranch remains a place of peace, healing, and unconditional love for animals who need it most.
Together, they help us continue the work that matters: giving senior and hospice animals a soft landing, a warm bed, and a family that never gives up on them.
Meet our Board of Directors
Karen A. Anderson — CEO & Founder
Karen is the heart and visionary behind Painted Rain Ranch. A bestselling author, former animal communicator, and lifelong advocate for senior and hospice animals, she founded the sanctuary to give vulnerable companions a peaceful, dignified place to land. Karen oversees mission development, long‑term strategy, and the compassionate standards of care that define the sanctuary. Her leadership is rooted in love, integrity, and a deep commitment to honoring every animal’s life story.
Mike Atkinson — Treasurer
Mike oversees the financial stewardship of Painted Rain Ranch with precision, transparency, and care. His background in finance and nonprofit accountability ensures that every donation is used responsibly and ethically. Mike’s dedication helps sustain the sanctuary’s long‑term stability, allowing senior and hospice animals to receive the lifelong support they deserve.
Kris Mortenson — Community Coordinator
Kris is the bridge between the Painted Rain Ranch and the community. She brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a deep love for animals to her outreach work. Kris helps build partnerships, engage supporters, and share the sanctuary’s mission with the world. Her ability to connect people to purpose strengthens the sanctuary’s impact and visibility.
Daniel Reis — Director
Daniel brings steady guidance, thoughtful leadership, and a strong commitment to animal welfare. With a background in operations and community support, he helps shape the sanctuary’s direction and ensures that every decision reflects the best interests of the animals. Daniel’s calm presence and practical insight make him an invaluable part of the sanctuary’s growth and stability.
Peg Delgado — Secretary
Peg keeps the sanctuary organized, compliant, and running smoothly behind the scenes. With a gift for detail and communication, she manages board records, documentation, and administrative processes. Peg’s reliability and compassion help maintain the structure that supports the sanctuary’s mission and daily operations.
This opens space for shelters to accept more adoptable pets.
Proceeds from my books, courses, and events benefit the animals we save. We do not have cages or kennels here on the ranch. The animals live with us as part of our family.
We can’t help them all, so we help those we can.
Thank you for your support and for telling others about our sanctuary
Karen A. Anderson
CEO & Founder
