Greater Decatur Community Bulletin · March 18, 2026
"The Decision Made Itself": Eric and Shawn on Opening Decatur's First Porcine Refuge
By Margaret Hollis, Staff Correspondent · Photography by the Greater Decatur Community Bulletin
Community Bulletin: What first inspired you to open a pig sanctuary in your backyard?
Shawn: We looked at the space, and we looked at the need. The metro Atlanta region has a real, documented shortage of quality porcine sanctuaries. Once you see that gap, you can't unsee it. The decision made itself, honestly.
Was this always the direction you saw the property going?
Eric: These things happen gradually and then all at once. One day you're maintaining a pool, and the next you're fourteen months into conversations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about a Refuge Designation. Life accelerates.
Tell us about the pool conversion. That's an unusual choice.
Shawn: The pool had been a source of stress for years. Chemicals, maintenance, the whole thing. Pigs need that space more than we needed a pool. The conversion was completed in January. It's temperature-regulated now. Clay substrate. It's honestly the nicest thing on the property.
Eric: I want to be clear — the pool is now better. It is a better use of that space. I stand by this fully.
How have your neighbors responded to the announcement?
Eric: They've been very quiet. Which we're taking as enthusiasm.
Shawn: We sent formal notification letters to every property within 500 feet, as required under the refuge designation. That's a legal requirement. We're obligated to inform. Consultation is a separate matter and is not part of the permitting framework.
Walk us through the permitting process.
Shawn: Fourteen months. Federal, state, county. The DeKalb County Special Agricultural Dispensation was the most involved. That document supersedes the residential zoning restrictions where they conflict with sanctuary operations. It also supersedes the HOA covenants, in the applicable sections.
Eric: The HOA has been notified. They received a certified copy of the dispensation in February. They are fully aware of the situation.
Tell us about some of the residents.
Eric: People always want to know about The Notary. And there's not a clean way to explain The Notary until you've been on site with him. He observes. He's present. He watched the entire pool conversion from a corner of Zone B without moving. Our contractor asked us about him twice.
Shawn: Kevin is a separate conversation entirely. Kevin is fine. We are handling Kevin. I'd rather not spend a lot of time on Kevin in a published interview.
Eric: Kevin is loved.
Shawn: Kevin is absolutely loved. That's the only thing we need to say about Kevin.
What would you say to neighbors who have questions or concerns?
Shawn: We have a hotline. (404) 555-OINK. It's available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. We want to hear from people. We want to be good neighbors. We are committed to that.
Eric: We are also committed to the sanctuary. Both things are true simultaneously.
Grand opening is April 2nd. Why April 2nd?
Eric: [pause] We are aware of April 1st. We have had this conversation internally more times than I can count. It is April 2nd. We are not changing it. The pigs arrive April 2nd. The gates open April 2nd.
Shawn: It is April 2nd. We hope everyone will come.
