Life & Work with Sheree Burdette

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheree Burdette.

Hi Sheree, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
It all started with a lifelong dream of being completely surrounded by animals—and a wonderfully supportive husband, Rodney, who agreed to buy 15 acres in Pickens County with me back in 2018!

Originally, our vision was strictly to run a donkey rescue, but as anyone in rescue will tell you, things rarely go strictly according to plan. Case in point: our very first rescue turned out to be a chicken named Pearl, who auickly stole our hearts and opened the door to the rest of our feathered flock. Before we knew it, Georgia and Ginny—our very first mother-daughter donkey duo—arrived from Save the Horses, and the sanctuary officially took off.

Today, Heavy Metal Animal Sanctuary is home to seven incredible equines (a mix of standard donkeys, mini donkeys, and a horse named Dixie), our flock of beloved chickens, and an indoor crew of cats who make sure my ‘crazy cat lady’ title remains well-earned. It’s loud, it’s muddy, and it’s pure joy.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not even close! Rescue work is full of dirt, sweat, and unpredictable detours. Our biggest ongoing hurdle is simply keeping up with the costs. Feeding and caring for giant, loving creatures takes serious resources, and veterinary bills, feed, farrier care for all those hooves, and mountains of hay add up fast.

We are immensely grateful for the loyal supporters who have stood by us from day one, but the financial strain is a constant hustle. Weathering loss, predator threats, and health crises with our animals breaks your heart, but seeing a scared donkey finally let down their guard or watching our herd run free in the pasture makes every single bump in the road worth it.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My day-to-day job is pretty hands-on: endless farm chores, administering meds, endless heavy lifting, and making sure every single animal feels safe, fed, and thoroughly spoiled.

What sets Heavy Metal apart—besides our loud name and even louder donkey brays—is that this is a true forever sanctuary. Once an animal steps hoof or feather onto our 15 acres, their journey of uncertainty is over. I am most proud of creating a place where traumatized or unwanted animals can just be. Knowing that Georgia, Ginny, and the rest of our herd will never have to worry about where their next meal is coming from or if they’ll be passed around again—that’s the most rewarding feeling in the world.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
We would love to welcome you into the Heavy Metal family! Running a grassroots sanctuary takes a village, whether that’s through monthly sponsorships, hay donations, or simply sharing our story.

Come follow our daily adventures and antics on social media, check out our website, and be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Most importantly, mark your calendars: we are planning a public Open House for March 2027! We would absolutely love for you to come out to Jasper, meet the herd in person, get some donkey cuddles, and see the magic for yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Heavymetalanimalsanctuary.com
• Instagram: @heavy_metal_animal_sanctuary
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heavymetalanimals