Horse Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and Animal Refuge is located in Hardin County, Tennessee, about ten miles south of the scenic town of Savannah. It is convenient to the Pickwick State Park Recreation Area on the beautiful Tennessee River and to Shiloh National Military Park, an historic Civil War battlefield. With over 2,000 acres devoted to the safety and security of wildlife native to the area, it provides medical care for and houses abandoned and abused dogs and seeks good, caring homes for them. Ron and Linda Pickard established The Sharon Charitable Trust in 1998 to fund the purchase of Horse Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and Animal Refuge. They also endowed The Sharon Charitable Trust to ensure that the sanctuary will remain a part of the community through the years. They immediately began to clear and improve an initial 500 acres to restore its beauty and to make it accessible for animals and visitors. Subsequently, additional acreage has been added to reach the current 2,000 acres. In addition, 600 adjoining acres are leased. The Mission Statement for the Trust provides a goal for all at Horse Creek who work for the cause of the animals and to be a constant reminder of its purpose. The Mission Statement is prominently displayed in every building at Horse Creek. Horse Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and Animal Refuge was named for the beautiful Horse Creek, which meanders through the property. Within the sanctuary there are scenic views, beautiful valleys, and hiking trails. The area is filled with beautiful trees and wildflowers. The sanctuary is maintained in an effort to protect the existing wildlife. It is a haven for deer, wild turkey, and other native wildlife, as well as many varieties of birds and fish. The old, existing farmhouse on the property was renovated to house administrative offices. Barns and maintenance facilities are in place to support activities. Pavilions, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, hiking trails, and a meeting lodge complete with a kitchen (and the area’s biggest fireplace) are available for use through advance appointment by qualified civic, community, church, school and scout groups. The sanctuary is not open to the general public. Horse Creek’s staff will work with teachers to provide educational day trips for school groups at various grade levels from the surrounding area. Students can learn such skills as tree, plant, and wildlife identification. A major goal of Horse Creek is to provide shelter, basic medical care, and adoption services for abandoned and abused dogs. Horse Creek is NOT designed to accept animals from the public. The goal is to work with the local animal shelter to ensure the best use of available facilities for animals in Hardin County.
Persons interested in adopting one of our rescue dogs will need to complete an adoption application. Once completed, you can forward it to our Adoptions Facilitator, Kim Austin at [email protected] or fax it to (731) 926-3000. Once she has had an opportunity to thoroughly review your application, including contacting references, she will be in touch to schedule a convenient time for you to visit with our dogs. We place our dogs into homes as family members. They will need to spend time each day INSIDE the home interacting with their family. When outside for exercise we prefer, and with certain dogs insist, on a fenced yard. The adoption fee is $100.00. This represents a commitment on the part of the new parents more than a repayment of our costs. This fee is a fraction of the amount spent to ensure each animal is healthy and well adjusted. All rescues are spayed or neutered, current on all vaccinations, are heartworm free and on heartworm prevention. The adoptive parents will receive copies of all records on the animal. All rescues are, to the best of our knowledge and ability, in good health unless otherwise indicated. They all receive daily exercise and socialization with other dogs and people. Please understand we strive to do our very best we can for the dogs we rescue. We do not take the adoption process lightly and we will place our rescued dogs in the very best homes possible. Our Adoption Agreement requires that adopting families agree we may check on the animal. If an animal is not treated properly, we reserve the right to return the animal to Horse Creek Wildlife.