We've Been Loving Animals for 30 Years! We have a private reserve where animals are rehabilitated. The Ark is supported in part by generous donations from local animal lovers and businesses. We are in the greater Portland area, with ready availability to serve any animal need!
History of Sparks' Ark
David Sparks
A native of Westbrook, Maine, David’s love of animals began as a very young child. His many summers at camp on Sebago Lake were
spent capturing critters in homemade box traps, observing their behaviors, then releasing them. As he got older, David got to
know Helen Perley, a well known animal lover, who raised animals for pets and for Jackson Lab, and had a small pet store under
the Pier at Old Orchard Beach.
Many pets and 3 children later, David became an Animal Rehabilitator. Because of his wife’s fond memories of the Noah’s Ark
amusement in Old Orchard (co-incidentally, just above Mrs. Perley’s pet store!), the fact that there always seemed to be pairs
of animals living at their home, and it’s location in an area prone to spring floods, she suggested they name their home “Sparks’ Ark”.
Before long, David’s love for animals evolved and led him to work as an animal control officer, and in 1995 he established Sparks' Ark
Nuisance Wildlife Damage Control. David is lucky enough to work doing what he loves, and is very busy with all the animals.
In addition, he spends many hours with his other loves--his family, perennial gardens and orchids.
Josh Sparks
While the entire family has helped David over the years, his older son Josh took a particular interest. At the age of 10, he and his
father worked together to build Josh’s first ‘barn’ - a 10’x12’ building where Josh could now house some of his own animals. Throughout
college, Josh also helped remove and relocate nuisance wild animals.
In 2001, Josh moved to New Gloucester where he built a house and many animal enclosures on 30 acres that he purchased. Josh is now
married and has two children who will hopefully continue the Sparks’ Ark tradition in the future. Josh held a full-time job, but
continued to do birthday parties and outreach programs on the weekends and some evenings. He also helped David with the rehab when he could.
In the spring of 2013, David decided he would continue to do all of the wildlife rehabilitation and some outreach programs, but would like to
start working part-time so he could spend more time with his wife, his gardens, and his own animals. So in April, Josh left his job of 18
years to take over a major portion of the business. Now you may see either one of them at your birthday party, outreach program, or if a
critter is living where it shouldn’t!