Sevier News Messenger Sevier County News and Opinion
Tennessee residents can visit any of the 8 Ripley’s Tennessee Attractions Wednesday, Jan. 18 thru Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 at a special discount with 20% of the proceeds going to local animal shelters. Special Admission to Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is only $10 and $5 for the other 7 Ripley’s / Guinness Tennessee attractions.
“The money raised will assist in many ways. Some of the money will help the Sevier County Humane Society. Their current building is in need of repairs, cleanup and updates. They are also in need of a new building in a better location and additional funding to care for all the animals they receive. The wildfires in November increased the number of animals to care for with missing pets, as well as stray animals that need loving homes,” said Ryan DeSear, regional manager of Ripley’s attractions.
The Sevier County building is a 44-year-old building originally designed to house 1,000 animals per year. The shelter currently takes in over 3,000 animals per year and in years past before implementing very low cost spray neuter program for the public, the shelter received over 5,000 animals per year.
Over the years, the volume of animals as well as insufficient funding has taken a toll on the building. The animals need daily around the clock attention and care, vet checks plus larger kennels to allow them to be mentally and physically healthy while waiting to be adopted into their forever homes.
Most of the damage from the wildfires to the Sevier County Humane Society’s shelter was smoke and ash that is being cleaned from the building and ductwork to prevent further damage and bacteria build up.
“We do the best we can with our current shelter and it has served us well, but it is not up to today’s standards, and certainly does not represent Sevier County and our progressive culture. At the shelter, we actually find many tourists at our shelter that end up adopting from us. We receive many wonderful pets at our shelter,” said Cheryl Morgan of the Sevier County Humane Society.
To receive the Tennessee Resident Special at Ripley Tennessee Attractions you must mention: ‘Tennessee Special.’ All adults must show TN resident ID.
Ripley’s Tennessee attractions are located on the Parkway in Sevierville and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The attractions include:
- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies
- Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Odditorium
- Ripley’s Haunted Adventure
- Ripley’s Moving Theater
- Ripley’s Davy Crockett Mini-Golf
- Ripley’s Old MacDonald’s Farm Mini-Golf
- Ripley’s Marvelous Mirror Maze & Ripley’s Candy Factory
- Guinness World Records Attraction
For more information and hours of operation, call 888-240-1348 or go to www.ripleysaquariumofthesmokies or www.ripleysgatlinburg.com.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Ripley’s Attractions in Tennessee are owned by Ripley Entertainment Inc., keepers of the venerable Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Brand and a global leader in location-based family entertainment. More than 13 million guests visit its 95 worldwide attractions in 11 countries annually. The Orlando-based company also has divisions that oversee publishing, licensing and broadcast operations. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Group Company, the second-largest privately held company in Canada.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, the second most visited attraction in Tennessee, has been voted one of the Top 5 Aquariums in the USA & the world by TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice in 2014 & 2015, Top Destination to See Penguins by USA Today and Forbes Traveler named it one of the America’s Best Aquariums. Thousands of exotic sea creatures live in its 1.4 million gallons of water. The aquarium is known for its amazing shark exhibit that features 11-foot sharks and one of the most spectacular underwater tunnels in the world.
The aquarium is located at traffic light #5 on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and is open 365 days a year. For information: call 888-240-1358 or see us on the web at www.ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com.
