The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 07:30 PM

Little Ponderosa Zoo Will Open One Day For Memorial Remembering 20 Animals Lost In Fire Earlier This Month

ANDERSON COUNTY  - (SOURCE: WVLT) - The Little Ponderosa Zoo will open for one day, Saturday December 30, to remember more than 20 animals lost in a fire earlier this month.

2017 was a rough year for the animal rescue. Back in March, storms caused extreme flooding. Months later, fire destroyed the main barn.

The founder, James Cox, received food donations for animals and a large tent to serve as a barn. The generosity of East Tennesseans overwhelmed Cox.

Cox said it was going to cost $200,000 to get started on rebuilding. By Tuesday, December 26, $168,000 was donated to the Little Ponderosa.

"Most of all, we've got our supporters. People love what we do," said Cox. "They love rescue efforts, they love us giving these animals a home. So I think they're stepping up to bat and going to help us get this facility back up."

They are still on schedule to open for one day on the morning of December 30th at 10:00 a.m. At 8:00 a.m. that day, LongHorn Steakhouse in Turkey Creek will host a pancake breakfast fundraiser. Later at noon, they'll hold a memorial service for the animals that were lost in the fire.