56 Animals Killed in Wildlife Sanctuary Fire, the Survivors Are Left with Nothing

On Friday, tragedy struck Ark R.A.I.N., a wildlife sanctuary in Brownsville, TN that was home to more than 100 exotic animals when a fire broke out early that morning.

Co-founders Tim and Toni Davies lost everything, including more than 50 animals who perished in the fire.

“It’s like losing your own children,” said Tim Davies, “It’s devastating.”

Ark R.A.I.N. (Rescuing Animals in Need) Wildlife Sanctuary (ARWS) is a non-profit licensed by the USDA and the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency that subsists on public donations, education programs and volunteer efforts without any state or federal funding.

For 14 years, they’ve been providing a permanent home, unique habitats and rehabilitation to rescued, injured, surrendered and abandoned exotic wild animals from tigers to turtles that require special care. They also offer children’s books and education outreach programs with the Mobile Ark that provides services to groups of all ages in an effort to increase public awareness of the plight of rare and endangered species.

After Friday, the Davies have started over from scratch while the cause of the fire is being investigated by the Brownsville Fire Department. Their home with all of their personal belongings was lost, along with animal housing and enclosures, feed and other supplies needed to care for the remaining animals, including Tucker, a kangaroo, and Obadiah, a lion, who are recovering from burns.

Now animals, and those rescuing animals in need, are in need of rescuing. If you care to make a donation, visit their website at arkrain.org, or follow their efforts and find out about needed items on their Facebook page.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Lynn C.

4:54PM PST on Nov 14, 2011

Horrible.

send a green star

Lori H.

5:59AM PDT on Apr 2, 2011

Thank you kindly Sharlene for posting your first hand description of arkRAIN and for providing info from investigators. As of yet, Anne has still been silent about providing any proof to her claims. In recent days, I have been in contact with a volunteer from the sanctuary and have seen numerous pictures to prove to me that this is a very dedicated facility. As you said, they are licensed and regulated. It was hard to imagine that many animals being kept in a "garage" as Anne stated, to begin with.

Sharlene M.

5:41PM PDT on Mar 31, 2011

There is some obvious misinformation in this discussion. The fire was documented by local Memphis news agencies. This can be found online.
It is an active ATF ongoing investigation for arson. The case has not been closed. This can be verified by local authorities or the ATF. I have friends with the TBI and I spoke with them just this week and the investigation is still ongoing. This was always verified by the Governor's office also.
The person or persons who did this obviously have some reason to want to harm or discredit the Davies and the Sanctuary or benefit from their loss.
Ark R.A.I.N. is a licensed (by the state and federal agencies) animal sanctuary and government approved charity. All enclosures and housing of the animals is licensed and adheres to government standards. If this was not true it would have been reported by news agencies that covered the fire.
I have personally visited the property and everything they share on their web site is accurate.
They have personally and professionally suffered a devastating loss, that not only cost them their livelihood when they lost their education program but also the loss of over 60 beautiful creatures of God.
They need your kindness, your humanity and the animals need your financial support.

7:38AM PDT on Mar 28, 2011

I apologize for posting after my own comments, but I decided to post a few links I've found, with news footage of the sanctuary, which looks nothing like Anne M. describes.
http://firegeezer.com/2010/11/23/56-exotic-animals-perish-in-wildlife-sanctuary-fire/ scroll down for a news video.
Their very own videos said a lot for me.
http://www.aark.org/aark/Movies.html

6:48AM PDT on Mar 28, 2011

Anne M, you addressed your reply to Nora B, but I have to wonder now, if you actually meant to direct it to me. You can send a picture to lorih57@peacemail.com, which is via Care2. I have researched the facility and have found nothing but great comments, reviews and testimonials about them. So please, yes, send the picture(s) and tell me when it/they were taken. Thanks in advance

Anne M.

5:13PM PST on Feb 19, 2011

To Nora B. Yes I do. Do you have an email address or home address I can send them to? It may be a day or two since I work strange hours. I truly do hate that the animals were killed and that the people lost their home but it is terrible that they are lying to people. The so called building that they say the animals were in was the garage. That was attached to the house! I can only imagine what type of life the poor animals had with all of them cramed in that small area. The poor lion is in a probably 8x20 cage. He just roars the most pittiful roar I have ever heard. I have nothing to gain from telling you any of this execpt that the truth be told and people know what they are actually sending their money to....

7:13AM PST on Feb 14, 2011

Anne M., do you have pictures to prove what you're claiming? Their facebook page shows something entirely different from what you're saying. I'm not doubting you, but I would like to see proof of your claims before I donate or help any farther.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ark-RAIN-Wildlife-Sanctuary/72010154309

12:29PM PST on Feb 10, 2011

I don't know what all you have read or heard but alot of it was not true. The so-called sactuary was a house. The animals were kept in a garage which was attached to the house. There was not a seperate office or seperate building for the animals. The web site is sooo misleading that it should be taken to court as misrepresentation. I have seen this place and it is a dump.

Martha E.

11:17AM PST on Jan 9, 2011

I agree -- we have to help these people who have devoted their lives to helping animals. I'm retired and couldn't give much, but each of us on this site, can probably dig down and contribute some dollars. (eat beans and rice for a week) and thanks to all those who do.

Ginny P.

6:06PM PST on Jan 1, 2011

this is so horrible I feel so sorry for all the animals this is so sad!:(