The Olympic Mountains provide the backdrop to Center Valley Animal Rescue (CVAR), a ranch with 32-acres of pastures, ponds, barns and shelters for large animals. The central building is home to small animals, an office, a medical room and storage. This animal rescue is the vision of Sara Penhallegon who in 2002, formed a 501(3) C Charitable Organization on the Washington State Olympic Peninsula. Sara and a handful of friends created a network of carefully screened foster care families to temporarily care for animals that were being signed over due to abuse or neglect or by people who simply could no longer care for them. With the help of her family, the land was purchased in 2004. The property, which had been logged, was in need of restoration. Many hands helped to clean and clear the land and create the wetlands and buffers for wildlife. Thanks to the work of many volunteers and paid craftspeople the once rugged acreage has been transformed to a place of welcome for all breeds of domestic animals in need. Daily, volunteers are there to care for the animals and facilities and to greet visitors. The love and care of abused and abandoned animals is the soul of this organization. Sara’s vision has become a legacy of love, compassion, and the right for helpless creatures to have a ‘second-chance’ at life filled with love and reward.