What is a pig rescue or sanctuary?
If you ask that same question to 5 people, you will get 5 different answers. In my opinion, there IS a difference between a rescue and sanctuary. A rescue provides a place for a pig in an otherwise dangerous situation. This pig can possibly be rehabilitated and adopted. A sanctuary provides a permanent home for a pig and typically do not adopt animals out. Most rescue/sanctuaries are both.
A responisble rescue knows when to say no. They know their limit. (and everyone has a limit unless you are happen to be sitting on mounds of unwanted money because trust me when I say, there is NO money to be "made" in any animal rescue, but especially not pig rescue. Most rescues are privately owned and operated. Some do not mind visitors coming by to volunteer and/or help with daily chores, but in most cases, these rescues are these peoples homes and backyards, so just because someone doesn't want visits shouldn't label them as "bad" or "shady". They deserve to have the same privacy as you and I. I wouldn't expect anyone to call me and demand to see my pig and if they did? I would probably think they were manic and politely decline. I believe most people get into pig rescue with good intentions, but many become overwhelmed and there are even some who are in it for all the wrong reasons. As you are probably already aware, there is NO room at any of the rescues or sanctuaries. They're all full. People have added "just one more" to private homes in order to help with a pig needing a home, but to put it quite bluntly, there isn't an overwhelming market for pigs. They have become more popular as pets, however, with the rules that a lot of areas have, people are limited in their ability to help and it is heartbreaking seeing so many posted day after day needing a home.
A responisble rescue knows when to say no. They know their limit. (and everyone has a limit unless you are happen to be sitting on mounds of unwanted money because trust me when I say, there is NO money to be "made" in any animal rescue, but especially not pig rescue. Most rescues are privately owned and operated. Some do not mind visitors coming by to volunteer and/or help with daily chores, but in most cases, these rescues are these peoples homes and backyards, so just because someone doesn't want visits shouldn't label them as "bad" or "shady". They deserve to have the same privacy as you and I. I wouldn't expect anyone to call me and demand to see my pig and if they did? I would probably think they were manic and politely decline. I believe most people get into pig rescue with good intentions, but many become overwhelmed and there are even some who are in it for all the wrong reasons. As you are probably already aware, there is NO room at any of the rescues or sanctuaries. They're all full. People have added "just one more" to private homes in order to help with a pig needing a home, but to put it quite bluntly, there isn't an overwhelming market for pigs. They have become more popular as pets, however, with the rules that a lot of areas have, people are limited in their ability to help and it is heartbreaking seeing so many posted day after day needing a home.
Pig Rescue
Rescue: to free or deliver from confinement, violence, danger or evil.
2. to bring (someone or something) out of danger, attack, harm, etc. deliver or save
A pig rescue can provide temporary or permanent homes for these precious porcine friends of ours. As stated before, a good rescue will have an adoption program in place and have the networking ability to have home checks done on any potential adoptive families. The people who rescue pigs do so because they love pigs. There is no ulterior motive, they do it because there are so many unwanted pigs who need a place to go. Good pig rescues will usually help others in the pig community with great words of wisdom or insight with regards to running a rescue. Rescue folks do not condone or endorse breeding, so good rescues have a spay/neuter program in place as well. Most "old timers" in rescue will step up to help guide those who are newer in the pig rescue arena, but cautiously optimistic that the newer people are doing it for all the right reasons.
A pig rescue group or pig rescue organization is dedicated to pet adoption. These groups take unwanted, abandoned, abused or stray pigs and attempt to find suitable homes for them. Many rescue groups are created and run by volunteers, who take pigs into their homes and care for them-including training, medical care and expenses, socializing, and problem solving with regards to any behavioral issues a pig may come with-until a more permanent home can be found. Most rescues are privately funded although some do have 501c3, nonprofit status. Day to day, most rescues handle their own chores and provide the care for the pigs they have. Good rescues will post updated pictures on social media or websites they manage. Some rescues have so many animals that they're not able to take pictures every day, however, when they save a pathetic pig from a bad situation, most are really proud to show others the progress these pigs are making. If asked, most will produce updated pictures on request.
2. to bring (someone or something) out of danger, attack, harm, etc. deliver or save
A pig rescue can provide temporary or permanent homes for these precious porcine friends of ours. As stated before, a good rescue will have an adoption program in place and have the networking ability to have home checks done on any potential adoptive families. The people who rescue pigs do so because they love pigs. There is no ulterior motive, they do it because there are so many unwanted pigs who need a place to go. Good pig rescues will usually help others in the pig community with great words of wisdom or insight with regards to running a rescue. Rescue folks do not condone or endorse breeding, so good rescues have a spay/neuter program in place as well. Most "old timers" in rescue will step up to help guide those who are newer in the pig rescue arena, but cautiously optimistic that the newer people are doing it for all the right reasons.
A pig rescue group or pig rescue organization is dedicated to pet adoption. These groups take unwanted, abandoned, abused or stray pigs and attempt to find suitable homes for them. Many rescue groups are created and run by volunteers, who take pigs into their homes and care for them-including training, medical care and expenses, socializing, and problem solving with regards to any behavioral issues a pig may come with-until a more permanent home can be found. Most rescues are privately funded although some do have 501c3, nonprofit status. Day to day, most rescues handle their own chores and provide the care for the pigs they have. Good rescues will post updated pictures on social media or websites they manage. Some rescues have so many animals that they're not able to take pictures every day, however, when they save a pathetic pig from a bad situation, most are really proud to show others the progress these pigs are making. If asked, most will produce updated pictures on request.
Pig Sanctuary
Sanctuary: immunity afforded by refugees such a place.
2. in animal related definitions, sanctuaries provide a forever home with little to no adoption process in place.
An pig sanctuary is an organization or facility where pigs are brought to live and be protected for the rest of their lives. Unlike pig rescues, sanctuaries do not focus on placing pigs elsewhere with individuals or groups, instead, they choose to maintain each animal until his or her natural death occurs. There are always exceptions. There have been times when a pig sanctuary has agreed to bring in a pig for temporary stays and relocated later on, there are times when a pig in their care may have had piglets and permanent homes are found for those piglets, but these are exceptions to the general rule.
Those who run pig sanctuaries are typically very knowledgeable and willing to help with newer pig parents by giving useful and helpful advice and tips. Some sanctuaries welcome visitors while others prefer not to have traffic coming in and out. Again, just because someone doesn't prefer volunteers does NOT make them a bad or ill run sanctuary, this just means they enjoy their privacy. Most sanctuaries are funded privately, but most do accept donations. These sanctuaries are proud to post updated pictures of their pigs on social media and their websites. Most are involved with educational programs of some kind as well.
2. in animal related definitions, sanctuaries provide a forever home with little to no adoption process in place.
An pig sanctuary is an organization or facility where pigs are brought to live and be protected for the rest of their lives. Unlike pig rescues, sanctuaries do not focus on placing pigs elsewhere with individuals or groups, instead, they choose to maintain each animal until his or her natural death occurs. There are always exceptions. There have been times when a pig sanctuary has agreed to bring in a pig for temporary stays and relocated later on, there are times when a pig in their care may have had piglets and permanent homes are found for those piglets, but these are exceptions to the general rule.
Those who run pig sanctuaries are typically very knowledgeable and willing to help with newer pig parents by giving useful and helpful advice and tips. Some sanctuaries welcome visitors while others prefer not to have traffic coming in and out. Again, just because someone doesn't prefer volunteers does NOT make them a bad or ill run sanctuary, this just means they enjoy their privacy. Most sanctuaries are funded privately, but most do accept donations. These sanctuaries are proud to post updated pictures of their pigs on social media and their websites. Most are involved with educational programs of some kind as well.
Pig Fosters
Foster: care intended to be a short term solution until permanent placement can be found.
I really admire those who choose to foster pigs. A foster has the privilege of offering a needy pig a safe, comforting and supportive environment while he/she waits to be adopted or reunited with their family following an emergency, natural disaster or military deployment. Fosters help socialize shelter pigs to enhance their chance at being adopted an potentially reduce a pigs stress level which also improves adoptability. There is a high incidence of "foster fail" rates. You can't help but fall in love with some of these more personable pigs with these great personalities. Fosters will provide needed vet care, but since they are a stop on the long journey to find a home, typically, they will provide needed medical care versus elective care.
Fosters will act as an intermediate home, sometimes for long periods of time. Fosters can also help with boarding occasionally, you will need to determine if there are any fosters in your area and ask them directly.
I really admire those who choose to foster pigs. A foster has the privilege of offering a needy pig a safe, comforting and supportive environment while he/she waits to be adopted or reunited with their family following an emergency, natural disaster or military deployment. Fosters help socialize shelter pigs to enhance their chance at being adopted an potentially reduce a pigs stress level which also improves adoptability. There is a high incidence of "foster fail" rates. You can't help but fall in love with some of these more personable pigs with these great personalities. Fosters will provide needed vet care, but since they are a stop on the long journey to find a home, typically, they will provide needed medical care versus elective care.
Fosters will act as an intermediate home, sometimes for long periods of time. Fosters can also help with boarding occasionally, you will need to determine if there are any fosters in your area and ask them directly.
Pig Hoarders
Hoarder: to accumulate for preservation, future use, etc.
2. in a hidden or carefully guarded place
Animal hoarding is keeping a higher than usual number of animals, in this case, pigs, as domesticate pets without having the ability properly house or care for them. Typically this group of people will also deny the inability to care for the animals they're keeping. This group cannot comprehend that they are harming their pets by failing to provide them with the proper care. Hoarders tend to believe that they provide the right level of care for the pets in their home/property. This group of people historically provide little to no veterinary care for their pigs.
Some people "collect" animals with good intentions, but it quickly spirals out of control because of their physical, mental or financial inability to provide proper care for the animals. People who step up ALL the time to take in unwanted pigs should most definitely be watched. There are those who have the resources and space to care for these pigs, but there are some who have a mental disability that doesn't allow them to see the bigger picture. It is up to whomever sending them pigs to know whether or not they're able to care for them.
2. in a hidden or carefully guarded place
Animal hoarding is keeping a higher than usual number of animals, in this case, pigs, as domesticate pets without having the ability properly house or care for them. Typically this group of people will also deny the inability to care for the animals they're keeping. This group cannot comprehend that they are harming their pets by failing to provide them with the proper care. Hoarders tend to believe that they provide the right level of care for the pets in their home/property. This group of people historically provide little to no veterinary care for their pigs.
Some people "collect" animals with good intentions, but it quickly spirals out of control because of their physical, mental or financial inability to provide proper care for the animals. People who step up ALL the time to take in unwanted pigs should most definitely be watched. There are those who have the resources and space to care for these pigs, but there are some who have a mental disability that doesn't allow them to see the bigger picture. It is up to whomever sending them pigs to know whether or not they're able to care for them.
What does all of that mean?
All of the above definitions and applications to real life situations are to show you there is no black and white answer. Everyone runs their home differently, so each pig is in a unique situation. Most people start off with good intentions but things spiral out of control. Pigs aren't spayed and/or neutered, so they have accidental breeding, some claim to be a pig rescue and offer to take intact animals FOR the purpose of breeding them. Some people claim to have pigs and request donations without actually having pigs in their care. YOU have to do your homework. People will let you down if you put your faith solely in them. Some rescues and sanctuaries are places I would love to go if I was a pig and there are some I wouldn't send a pet rock to.
It is not my place to judge others and the way they run their organizations, but I am inclined to tell people to do some homework if they're interested in donating time or money to anyone they don't personally know. Watch for red flags. Only close up pictures with no background's, ALWAYS pleading for money, there always seems to be an emergency of some kind, no updated pictures, old pictures are used over and over again. Tragic situations are the norm, there is always a pregnant rescue coming (suspect breeding being done purposely or not), person who runs the organization doesn't have the funds but depends on donations month to month. No spay or neuter program in place. NEVER allows visitors, and there is NO ONE in the pig community has ever been to the rescue/sanctuary. Someone who constantly searches for pigs should be a red flag. Someone who is always willing to take a pig should be a red flag. Perhaps they have room, but maybe they do not have good intentions, until you do some investigating, you should be weary of individuals like that. If animals look sickly in all their pictures yet there is no mention of underlying medical conditions or treatment, this may not be a great place for pigs to go to. You have to trust your gut with some of these things, people don't always appreciate others being invasive, but people with nothing to hide shouldn't be offended because you ask questions. People who are in pig rescue for the right reasons will not have an issue answering questions you may have.
It is not my place to judge others and the way they run their organizations, but I am inclined to tell people to do some homework if they're interested in donating time or money to anyone they don't personally know. Watch for red flags. Only close up pictures with no background's, ALWAYS pleading for money, there always seems to be an emergency of some kind, no updated pictures, old pictures are used over and over again. Tragic situations are the norm, there is always a pregnant rescue coming (suspect breeding being done purposely or not), person who runs the organization doesn't have the funds but depends on donations month to month. No spay or neuter program in place. NEVER allows visitors, and there is NO ONE in the pig community has ever been to the rescue/sanctuary. Someone who constantly searches for pigs should be a red flag. Someone who is always willing to take a pig should be a red flag. Perhaps they have room, but maybe they do not have good intentions, until you do some investigating, you should be weary of individuals like that. If animals look sickly in all their pictures yet there is no mention of underlying medical conditions or treatment, this may not be a great place for pigs to go to. You have to trust your gut with some of these things, people don't always appreciate others being invasive, but people with nothing to hide shouldn't be offended because you ask questions. People who are in pig rescue for the right reasons will not have an issue answering questions you may have.
A great article from an animal law organization from Michigan State University breaks it down into simple terms in the conclusion. While some states require rescues and foster care providers to be licensed and regulated under state and local laws, each of those states and cities may have slight variations on what is specifically required. However, a majority of the states have not created regulatory regimes that specifically define rescue organizations or foster homes separately from shelters and kennels. In many states, rescues will be lumped into the legislation along with shelters and kennels instead of recognizing the nuanced differences between these types of organizations. Foster care is usually less regulated than rescues and often monitored by the shelters, which have few resources to begin with. Many issues with rescue and foster care do not surface unless someone files a complaint with authorities. Although there are not many laws directly covering the regulation of rescues and foster homes, volunteers should pay attention to the broader laws that can apply and take note of changing trends in the law. In areas where the law covering rescue and foster groups is unclear, if a state or local government provides new definitions and new licensing schemes in the future, it will likely include annual fees, record-keeping requirements, and possible inspections for rescue groups and foster care providers.
In addition to those laws covering licensing, these types of organizations and their volunteers should also be aware of many other laws that could impact their daily operations as a non-profit. For example, rescues and fosters should understand their state and local legal framework concerning the ownership of the animals, sterilization and vaccination requirements, importing animals from across state lines, laws that limit the number of pets permitted on private property, zoning and nuisance laws, tethering restrictions, breed specific legislation, tort liability, and financial reimbursement when they are involved in aiding animals during criminal animal cruelty cases. Many of the issues with rescues, foster care, adoptions, and animal custody are new areas of the law with few cases available and the laws are always subject to future changes. Therefore, a non-profit organization looking to develop its policies and procedures may want to consult with a local animal law attorney to ensure they are fully in compliance with the laws and are adequately minimizing the risks and liability associated with working with animals.
To read the article in its entirety, click here.
In addition to those laws covering licensing, these types of organizations and their volunteers should also be aware of many other laws that could impact their daily operations as a non-profit. For example, rescues and fosters should understand their state and local legal framework concerning the ownership of the animals, sterilization and vaccination requirements, importing animals from across state lines, laws that limit the number of pets permitted on private property, zoning and nuisance laws, tethering restrictions, breed specific legislation, tort liability, and financial reimbursement when they are involved in aiding animals during criminal animal cruelty cases. Many of the issues with rescues, foster care, adoptions, and animal custody are new areas of the law with few cases available and the laws are always subject to future changes. Therefore, a non-profit organization looking to develop its policies and procedures may want to consult with a local animal law attorney to ensure they are fully in compliance with the laws and are adequately minimizing the risks and liability associated with working with animals.
To read the article in its entirety, click here.