Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary Offers Free Tours
Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit organization situated on 250 acres of land where abused, unwanted and orphaned exotic animals, livestock, companion animals and native Georgia wildlife are offered a safe and loving place to live. Noah’s Ark also rehabilitates wildlife in addition to becoming a permanent home to those unable to be released into the wild.
The organization was founded by Jama Hedgecoth in 1978 in the northern part of Henry County before moving to its current location in Locust Grove, Georgia. By educating the public through free, self-guided tours of their habitats, Noah’s Ark removes the barrier of cost for children and adults curious about animals. The site is popular with animal lovers of all ages but serves as a particularly budget-friendly activity for families with small children.
Update: Jama Hedgecoth passed away 2023
While everyone is welcome to visit the sanctuary for a free self-guided tour Tuesday through Saturday, those interested in a closer look at the animals and guidance from a knowledgeable volunteer staff member can enjoy one of the paid experiences offered by Noah’s Ark. The tours take visitors behind the scenes by allowing them inside one of the two security gates. Among the options for these behind-the-scenes animal encounters are the Walk on the Wild Side tour, Big Cat Feeding Tour or the Painting with Doc experience.
Over 1,000 Animals at the Sanctuary
The animal residents of the sanctuary have diverse, interesting stories of how they came to be a part of the Noah’s Ark family. The sanctuary is described as a refuge for these animals who are now free to enjoy life in areas accommodated to their needs rather than the terrible conditions some of them faced before being rescued. Animals that call the sanctuary home come from a variety of places including the Department of Natural Resources, Zoos, the general public and more. An assortment of animal species are represented among the population ranging from birds to bears with many other species in between.
How to Help Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary
A great deal of time and money is dedicated to caring for the animals and maintaining their habitats. Because Noah’s ark does not charge admission, donations and paid experiences truly help contribute to the wellbeing of the animal residents. For those interested in supporting Noah’s Ark, there are multiple options ranging from donating money to purchasing items from the sanctuary’s wishlists and more. Noah’s Ark is always in need of volunteers to greet others at the entry gate for the habitats whether they are available on an ongoing basis or just for the day. To learn more ways you can help the animals of the sanctuary, visit this page.