The Witter Wildlife Refuge in Madison County has helped rehabilitate and relocate animals from around Arkansas for years, but was recently forced to file for bankruptcy.
Now owner James Orr says his bank is evicting him from the property, and putting the lives his animals at risk.
"The deputy sheriff told me he had a 48-hour eviction notice he was going to have to serve me with," he said Monday. "It was missing a signature, so he sent it back and I'm expecting it today or tomorrow, any minute."
Orr filed for bankruptcy after a series of events left him with a massive debt and no way to pay it. He sold his property to the First State Bank of Northwest Arkansas for half of what it was appraised for, and said the bank agreed not to do anything with the property for 90 days so a buyer could be found and the purchase money used to pay off Orr's debtors.
Orr says he was asked by William Clark, the trustee who brokered the deal, to stay on and maintain the property during those 90 days. Orr thought it would give him the time to relocate his animals and move out of his home.
That is, until he was told about the eviction notice.
"I was told any of the animals that weren't off the property at the end of the 48 hours would be put down," he said.
But many of the animals in Orr's menagerie can't be moved at a moment's notice. One of them is a blind deer named Helen that needs a special pen to keep her from hurting herself. Another is a wolf pack that has to be kept in pens that meet government standards. Orr says some of those are already being built, but he isn't sure if they'll be ready in time.
Orr says he asked First State Bank to let him have two more weeks to finish moving his animals, but says he was turned down. 5NEWS called the bank to ask about the eviction, but officials declined to comment.
Several people that have worked with Orr over the years have stepped up to help him find homes for the animals or move his belongings out before the deadline. Jake Jacobson helped build many of the pens at the refuge, and is now having to help clean them out.
"It's a sad day for all of us that know Jim," he said. "It's going to be hard to know this is all over with."
Orr says he's planning to eventually open a new refuge in central Arkansas, once he's more financially stable. People who'd like to learn more about his efforts can visit his website, or call James Orr at (479) 981-2526.
Now owner James Orr says his bank is evicting him from the property, and putting the lives his animals at risk.
"The deputy sheriff told me he had a 48-hour eviction notice he was going to have to serve me with," he said Monday. "It was missing a signature, so he sent it back and I'm expecting it today or tomorrow, any minute."
Orr filed for bankruptcy after a series of events left him with a massive debt and no way to pay it. He sold his property to the First State Bank of Northwest Arkansas for half of what it was appraised for, and said the bank agreed not to do anything with the property for 90 days so a buyer could be found and the purchase money used to pay off Orr's debtors.
Orr says he was asked by William Clark, the trustee who brokered the deal, to stay on and maintain the property during those 90 days. Orr thought it would give him the time to relocate his animals and move out of his home.
That is, until he was told about the eviction notice.
"I was told any of the animals that weren't off the property at the end of the 48 hours would be put down," he said.
But many of the animals in Orr's menagerie can't be moved at a moment's notice. One of them is a blind deer named Helen that needs a special pen to keep her from hurting herself. Another is a wolf pack that has to be kept in pens that meet government standards. Orr says some of those are already being built, but he isn't sure if they'll be ready in time.
Orr says he asked First State Bank to let him have two more weeks to finish moving his animals, but says he was turned down. 5NEWS called the bank to ask about the eviction, but officials declined to comment.
Several people that have worked with Orr over the years have stepped up to help him find homes for the animals or move his belongings out before the deadline. Jake Jacobson helped build many of the pens at the refuge, and is now having to help clean them out.
"It's a sad day for all of us that know Jim," he said. "It's going to be hard to know this is all over with."
Orr says he's planning to eventually open a new refuge in central Arkansas, once he's more financially stable. People who'd like to learn more about his efforts can visit his website, or call James Orr at (479) 981-2526.
