Our co-founder, Brenda Jean Kline, passed away on January 24, 2026. She was 68 years old. While we lost her, nothing ever took her spirit or her devotion to the animals.
Brenda and Andy started Odessa Animal Sanctuary together. What they built is something most people only ever talk about: a place where unwanted animals can live out their lives in peace, with dignity, without fear of being given up on again. Brenda made that real.
She didn't talk about doing things. She did them. Anyone who spent five minutes with her knew that. She was independent, stubborn when she needed to be, and deeply emotional in ways she didn't always let people see. But the animals saw it. They always did.
Everything this sanctuary is today exists because of her. More than a thousand animals have come through these gates because Brenda made sure those gates were there in the first place.
Per Brenda's wishes, no public services were held.
If you'd like to honor her memory, please consider a donation to Odessa Animal Sanctuary. This is the place she poured her life into, and it will carry her forward for every animal that still needs a home.
We love you, Brenda. The animals love you. And this sanctuary will always be yours.
