Pig Rescue Stories
Not all rescue stories end up with a happily ever after ending. We wish there was no need for any pigs to find themselves in a situation whereas they're unwanted, unloved, uncared for, abused, neglected or abandoned. However, they are and this happens more often than you likely know. If you use social media and are a part of any pig groups, you will see pigs that need a new home every single day. We receive private messages, emails, posts to our page, comments on unrelated threads and tags every single day.
There is not an overwhelming market for pigs, and even if there is, the market for unwanted pigs far surpasses it. Please consider adopting a pig in need before paying hundred or thousands of dollars for the same kind of pig. There are no micro pigs, no teacup pigs. No breeder has been able to consistently produce healthy pigs that will be as small as most claim. Are there smaller pigs? Of course, but they aren't the normal, they're the exception. Because most of these piglets are being born from immature pigs, looking at the parents honestly does no good unless there is undisputed documented proof of the age, diet, veterinary records and pictures. Even that is easy to photoshop or misrepresent. Many many people have been victimized by these methods of dishonesty. These stories are the outcome of either uneducated, misled, or uncaring people who have decided a pig is too much work, they moved to an area that doesn't allow pigs, had a baby, got married, or the novelty has worn off, or the pig grew too big, untrained, intact, behavioral issues, so many excuses, its not even worth it to list them all. So, lets focus on happier times. These are real stories of rescue. These stories come from our Facebook page where we asked for rescue stories that we could share on our website. Please remember, these pigs aren't broken, they're likely misunderstood, nonetheless, ALL have been betrayed by someone who claims to have loved them so much and broke that promise when the pig became inconvenient. I do not know that ALL of these pigs were purchased for thousands of dollars and then given away or surrendered or simply rehomed, but I do know that these pigs likely came from some of the breeders who charge lots of money for the same pigs pictured and discussed here. Adopt, don't shop!
These rescue stories are from all people. Regular pig parents, rescuers, anyone who was involved with the rescue of a pig and we welcome all the stories. If you have a rescue story to add to our page, please email us with the details. [email protected]
There is not an overwhelming market for pigs, and even if there is, the market for unwanted pigs far surpasses it. Please consider adopting a pig in need before paying hundred or thousands of dollars for the same kind of pig. There are no micro pigs, no teacup pigs. No breeder has been able to consistently produce healthy pigs that will be as small as most claim. Are there smaller pigs? Of course, but they aren't the normal, they're the exception. Because most of these piglets are being born from immature pigs, looking at the parents honestly does no good unless there is undisputed documented proof of the age, diet, veterinary records and pictures. Even that is easy to photoshop or misrepresent. Many many people have been victimized by these methods of dishonesty. These stories are the outcome of either uneducated, misled, or uncaring people who have decided a pig is too much work, they moved to an area that doesn't allow pigs, had a baby, got married, or the novelty has worn off, or the pig grew too big, untrained, intact, behavioral issues, so many excuses, its not even worth it to list them all. So, lets focus on happier times. These are real stories of rescue. These stories come from our Facebook page where we asked for rescue stories that we could share on our website. Please remember, these pigs aren't broken, they're likely misunderstood, nonetheless, ALL have been betrayed by someone who claims to have loved them so much and broke that promise when the pig became inconvenient. I do not know that ALL of these pigs were purchased for thousands of dollars and then given away or surrendered or simply rehomed, but I do know that these pigs likely came from some of the breeders who charge lots of money for the same pigs pictured and discussed here. Adopt, don't shop!
These rescue stories are from all people. Regular pig parents, rescuers, anyone who was involved with the rescue of a pig and we welcome all the stories. If you have a rescue story to add to our page, please email us with the details. [email protected]
Annie the pig
Barb Conn tells the story of Arnie:
When we rescued Arnie in February he was very aggressive and 4 mos old. I was not prepared for the care that went into taking care of a pig. I wasn't aware of the natural enemy of my new pet was dogs which I have 4 rescued dogs and 2 rescue cats. I was picturing the movie Babe and we'd all just get Along. Had to keep him upstairs.
He's grown so big we can't get him downstairs so he just lives up there. He's got the run of it up there 3 large rooms we layed patio block down to help him with his hooves. I give him little cranberry raspberry juice with water in hopes to prevent kidney stones. He's of course been neutered. I had that appointment scheduled before he got here. My son picked him up.
I will post a picture of him about a month ago with my husband. He's a loving happy fellow he gets 3-4 salads a day and 1-2 cups mazuri mini pig feed a day. He'll be 1 year old next month we're excited for that.
Hopefully in the spring we can afford to pay for some outside ramp and he'll get to go out but as of now, he's too big.
When we rescued Arnie in February he was very aggressive and 4 mos old. I was not prepared for the care that went into taking care of a pig. I wasn't aware of the natural enemy of my new pet was dogs which I have 4 rescued dogs and 2 rescue cats. I was picturing the movie Babe and we'd all just get Along. Had to keep him upstairs.
He's grown so big we can't get him downstairs so he just lives up there. He's got the run of it up there 3 large rooms we layed patio block down to help him with his hooves. I give him little cranberry raspberry juice with water in hopes to prevent kidney stones. He's of course been neutered. I had that appointment scheduled before he got here. My son picked him up.
I will post a picture of him about a month ago with my husband. He's a loving happy fellow he gets 3-4 salads a day and 1-2 cups mazuri mini pig feed a day. He'll be 1 year old next month we're excited for that.
Hopefully in the spring we can afford to pay for some outside ramp and he'll get to go out but as of now, he's too big.
Dolly the unintended mother pig
Angel Roggenkamp-Peters talks about her experience rescuing a young male pig.
She was unaware that he was "sexually mature" at such a young age. (Moral of this story, assume every pig you bring in is intact unless there is documentation that states otherwise. Also, know that pigs mature sexually super early and can impregnate much larger pigs, mama's, dads can impregnate daughters, brothers and sisters can reproduce, etc)
Even though I did not rescued Dolly. I got her when she 6 weeks old. Shortly after I got a little boy. Unaware Kenny was capable of sexual activities for his young age, I found out Dolly was pregnant in late May. Needless to say Kenny went in to be fixed. About 5 weeks ago Dolly deliver 11 babies. 3 of which did not survive. I decided not to sell the babies. I found happy homes for them. They will be going to their homes next week. I encouraged the new pig parents to do their homework. Dolly is my baby.
She was unaware that he was "sexually mature" at such a young age. (Moral of this story, assume every pig you bring in is intact unless there is documentation that states otherwise. Also, know that pigs mature sexually super early and can impregnate much larger pigs, mama's, dads can impregnate daughters, brothers and sisters can reproduce, etc)
Even though I did not rescued Dolly. I got her when she 6 weeks old. Shortly after I got a little boy. Unaware Kenny was capable of sexual activities for his young age, I found out Dolly was pregnant in late May. Needless to say Kenny went in to be fixed. About 5 weeks ago Dolly deliver 11 babies. 3 of which did not survive. I decided not to sell the babies. I found happy homes for them. They will be going to their homes next week. I encouraged the new pig parents to do their homework. Dolly is my baby.
Rosie the pig
Dawn Camp One of our 60 pigs at Camp Skipping Pig. Every pig has a story. Here is Rosie's...
Rosie arrived on August 1st, 2008. She'd originally been purchased from a Texas breeder who purports to sell micro mini pigs. After spending a considerable amount of money to purchase Rosie and to ship her to New York, the buyer discovered that she wasn't a micro mini pig at all and that she'd bought into the "micro mini pig myth". No longer wanted, Rosie was sent to a farm and within two months was sold. She is a beautiful two year old, and yet another example of what happens to pigs bred by untruthful breeders and sold to irresponsible homes. She was purchased from the farm for $50 by a terribly unprepared young man with absolutely no experience caring for pigs. The day after he bought her, he called me and told me about the pig he'd bought and that he'd made a mistake and didn't want her. He'd never been told what and how to properly feed her, had no housing ready, and had only a small dog kennel for a pen. Obviously the farm owner cared more about her $50 than she did about the well being of this pig. She had called me about taking this pig just a month prior, but was holding on to her until a small piglet could be found for her to use in her petting zoo.The farm could certainly have provided a safe home for Rosie and all of the other potbellies they've passed off over the years after using them in the zoo. Instead they choose to make them someone else's "problem" and won't take responsibility for their security.
This is an all too common situation with most petting zoos. Animals are bought as babies and discarded when they're no longer percieved as being cute. The general public doesn't get to see the true size of an adult potbelly because they're replaced within a year or two, before they're full grown. Thus the common belief that potbellied pigs will stay very small and pigs like Rosie end up without a home when their owners discover their "never over 35 pound" piglet now weighs a good 140. I always made it a point to take the same pig, no matter how old, as long as it was happy being out in public. Alix did the little petting zoo for six years, and Snurdle for several more. When the Ahurei, the Kunekune arrived, he went along, not as a replacement, but as a companion to the other older pig. All too often people said they were surprised at how big the potbellies were...because they'd been exposed only to babies at other petting zoos. Rosie is spayed, and is supposed to be house and harness trained. Once settled into a secure home, she's made a wonderful companion for our other rescues. She stands up on her hind legs at her gate for hugs, kisses and scratches. She's a very affectionate and loving girl who would love more attention than I have time to give her, though I find it impossible to walk past her without at least a quick hug and scratch. Her original people are missing out on the enjoyment of having such a wonderful pig as a companion...all because they were hung up on her size. Do not buy into the micro-mini/teacup myth!!
Rosie arrived on August 1st, 2008. She'd originally been purchased from a Texas breeder who purports to sell micro mini pigs. After spending a considerable amount of money to purchase Rosie and to ship her to New York, the buyer discovered that she wasn't a micro mini pig at all and that she'd bought into the "micro mini pig myth". No longer wanted, Rosie was sent to a farm and within two months was sold. She is a beautiful two year old, and yet another example of what happens to pigs bred by untruthful breeders and sold to irresponsible homes. She was purchased from the farm for $50 by a terribly unprepared young man with absolutely no experience caring for pigs. The day after he bought her, he called me and told me about the pig he'd bought and that he'd made a mistake and didn't want her. He'd never been told what and how to properly feed her, had no housing ready, and had only a small dog kennel for a pen. Obviously the farm owner cared more about her $50 than she did about the well being of this pig. She had called me about taking this pig just a month prior, but was holding on to her until a small piglet could be found for her to use in her petting zoo.The farm could certainly have provided a safe home for Rosie and all of the other potbellies they've passed off over the years after using them in the zoo. Instead they choose to make them someone else's "problem" and won't take responsibility for their security.
This is an all too common situation with most petting zoos. Animals are bought as babies and discarded when they're no longer percieved as being cute. The general public doesn't get to see the true size of an adult potbelly because they're replaced within a year or two, before they're full grown. Thus the common belief that potbellied pigs will stay very small and pigs like Rosie end up without a home when their owners discover their "never over 35 pound" piglet now weighs a good 140. I always made it a point to take the same pig, no matter how old, as long as it was happy being out in public. Alix did the little petting zoo for six years, and Snurdle for several more. When the Ahurei, the Kunekune arrived, he went along, not as a replacement, but as a companion to the other older pig. All too often people said they were surprised at how big the potbellies were...because they'd been exposed only to babies at other petting zoos. Rosie is spayed, and is supposed to be house and harness trained. Once settled into a secure home, she's made a wonderful companion for our other rescues. She stands up on her hind legs at her gate for hugs, kisses and scratches. She's a very affectionate and loving girl who would love more attention than I have time to give her, though I find it impossible to walk past her without at least a quick hug and scratch. Her original people are missing out on the enjoyment of having such a wonderful pig as a companion...all because they were hung up on her size. Do not buy into the micro-mini/teacup myth!!
Two of Donna Clendenin's rescue pigs
Donna Clendenin discusses her experience with rescue/foster and her own pigs.
I rescue and rehome pigs. I have 7 pot belly pigs total of my own 4 are rescues. And currently 3 Fosters. The saddest story of my rescue pigs would be Barney and Fred. I was on a Facebook pig Group one day and saw a picture of these two potbelly pigs post pleading to help rescue them from a high-kill shelter. The man that did the post was pleading with everyone or anyone that could please rescue them from the shelter to Foster or give them a forever home. At that time I had already had for pigs of my own and they were a handful LOL I commented on the post asking where they were at and what shelter. Well it turns out they were in my counties Animal Control shelter. I inquired a little more information about them they had been picked up by Animal Control found wandering in the woods. I was told they were not socialized and very scared so they would have to be outside piggies. All of my pigs were inside outside pigs I had a chain link fence in the front but was not equipped for pigs to completely be outside. So the man added me to a chat group with some others that we could talk about doing an enclosure for them. So we talked for a while and someone came up with the suggestion about using wooden pallets to make an enclosure. So I found some free wooden pallets and made them an enclosure. The next week I went to pick them up. When I went into the barn stall where they were being kept there were these two piggies that was so scared I had never seen any animal in my life so terrified! The animal control workers took them 15 minutes just to get them in the crate. I got them home put them in their enclosure and they did not want anything to do with me if you even acted like you wanted to go towards them they would run for their lives. The next week I took them for their neuter. It took almost a month before I could even pet them. But now they are very friendly to me they're still a little skittish it's been about 6 months they'll even let me give them belly rubs.
I rescue and rehome pigs. I have 7 pot belly pigs total of my own 4 are rescues. And currently 3 Fosters. The saddest story of my rescue pigs would be Barney and Fred. I was on a Facebook pig Group one day and saw a picture of these two potbelly pigs post pleading to help rescue them from a high-kill shelter. The man that did the post was pleading with everyone or anyone that could please rescue them from the shelter to Foster or give them a forever home. At that time I had already had for pigs of my own and they were a handful LOL I commented on the post asking where they were at and what shelter. Well it turns out they were in my counties Animal Control shelter. I inquired a little more information about them they had been picked up by Animal Control found wandering in the woods. I was told they were not socialized and very scared so they would have to be outside piggies. All of my pigs were inside outside pigs I had a chain link fence in the front but was not equipped for pigs to completely be outside. So the man added me to a chat group with some others that we could talk about doing an enclosure for them. So we talked for a while and someone came up with the suggestion about using wooden pallets to make an enclosure. So I found some free wooden pallets and made them an enclosure. The next week I went to pick them up. When I went into the barn stall where they were being kept there were these two piggies that was so scared I had never seen any animal in my life so terrified! The animal control workers took them 15 minutes just to get them in the crate. I got them home put them in their enclosure and they did not want anything to do with me if you even acted like you wanted to go towards them they would run for their lives. The next week I took them for their neuter. It took almost a month before I could even pet them. But now they are very friendly to me they're still a little skittish it's been about 6 months they'll even let me give them belly rubs.
Drew Wile talks about his pigs.
The loves of my life. These 2 are a handful at times, bossy, needy, jealous of affection and extremely vocal. I couldn't ask for more joy and happiness from anything.
The loves of my life. These 2 are a handful at times, bossy, needy, jealous of affection and extremely vocal. I couldn't ask for more joy and happiness from anything.
Sherry Burnett's Bruno BEFORE
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Look at Bruno NOW!
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Sherry Burnett talks about the pig who no one cared about enough to name...until he came to her, of course.
This is Bruno. We were asked to take him by a young woman who had gone to a farm to rescue a pony. She saw Bruno tucked away in a dark stall and asked about him. (Actually, he wasn't even Bruno then, he had no name) They said that she could take him too, they had to vacate the farm and no one wanted him so they were planning on taking him to the local livestock auction. She couldn't put him in the trailer with the pony, so they rolled him up a ramp into her truck. Once she got him to her house, she put him in a pen with the pony and some of her other equines. It only had electric fencing and Bruno was intent on escaping it and wandering the neighborhood. The electric shock didn't even faze him, he had such a thick covering of fat from being fed kitchen waste. We went and picked him up, it took 4 grown men to lift his crate. We got him home and he was ANGRY. He was fat blind and so confused and upset at all the indignities that had befallen him in the past few days. He bit both my husband and I in the following weeks, I still have a butterfly shaped scar on my knee from him. We gave him a private shed and about an acre of treed and fenced land. We didn't put him on a strict diet, just fed him properly and no scraps. Within a year he was down to a good weight and his temperment improved to where he is just a sweetheart.
This is Bruno. We were asked to take him by a young woman who had gone to a farm to rescue a pony. She saw Bruno tucked away in a dark stall and asked about him. (Actually, he wasn't even Bruno then, he had no name) They said that she could take him too, they had to vacate the farm and no one wanted him so they were planning on taking him to the local livestock auction. She couldn't put him in the trailer with the pony, so they rolled him up a ramp into her truck. Once she got him to her house, she put him in a pen with the pony and some of her other equines. It only had electric fencing and Bruno was intent on escaping it and wandering the neighborhood. The electric shock didn't even faze him, he had such a thick covering of fat from being fed kitchen waste. We went and picked him up, it took 4 grown men to lift his crate. We got him home and he was ANGRY. He was fat blind and so confused and upset at all the indignities that had befallen him in the past few days. He bit both my husband and I in the following weeks, I still have a butterfly shaped scar on my knee from him. We gave him a private shed and about an acre of treed and fenced land. We didn't put him on a strict diet, just fed him properly and no scraps. Within a year he was down to a good weight and his temperment improved to where he is just a sweetheart.
Faith....unfortunately left for dead, but surrounded by love when she left this world. Run free baby girl.
Maggie Gatlin discusses several rescues she's been involved with, this is the story of Faith.
One of our piggy parents who is a teacher was in class as usual when several students told her there was a pig in the ditch at the bus stop. She convinced her husband to go check it out and found what he thought was a dead pig covered in mud in the ditch. But then he saw her move just slightly. He called his wife, she called us and an hour later we had an extremely malnourished sick pig covered in mud. No one knows where she came from or who she belonged with but after a bath and IV fluids at the vet, blood work and 24 hour attention and care she passed away, not in the ditch were some cruel person possibly threw her, but surrounded by people who were fighting for her, loved and cared for her immediately. We still do even to this day. Her name was Faith.
One of our piggy parents who is a teacher was in class as usual when several students told her there was a pig in the ditch at the bus stop. She convinced her husband to go check it out and found what he thought was a dead pig covered in mud in the ditch. But then he saw her move just slightly. He called his wife, she called us and an hour later we had an extremely malnourished sick pig covered in mud. No one knows where she came from or who she belonged with but after a bath and IV fluids at the vet, blood work and 24 hour attention and care she passed away, not in the ditch were some cruel person possibly threw her, but surrounded by people who were fighting for her, loved and cared for her immediately. We still do even to this day. Her name was Faith.
Stella, the pig with a surprise.
Maggie Gatlin talks about a pig on Craigslist.
Stella was being sold on Craigslist "6 month old pregnant pot belly, will have 3-10 piglets you can sell for $300 each" the add read. She looked like she would pop at only 6 months old. Some of our piggy parents talk to the owner and figured out she came to him at almost 4 months so she is pregnant by her litter mates or has some other issue going on that needs to be addressed. It turned out to be both. She was being fed dry pellets food and her owner was not aware pellets should be wetted. If not they will absorb stomach fluids become a paste and can cause a blockage. After we got this girl named her Stella she went straight to the vet; her abdomen was dragging the ground, she had labored breathing and X-rays showed she was indeed pregnant but was mostly just filled with food. She was still having bowel movements and still eating but the pellet paste was just coating her insides layer after layer which would eventually cause a complete blockage.
Stella was being sold on Craigslist "6 month old pregnant pot belly, will have 3-10 piglets you can sell for $300 each" the add read. She looked like she would pop at only 6 months old. Some of our piggy parents talk to the owner and figured out she came to him at almost 4 months so she is pregnant by her litter mates or has some other issue going on that needs to be addressed. It turned out to be both. She was being fed dry pellets food and her owner was not aware pellets should be wetted. If not they will absorb stomach fluids become a paste and can cause a blockage. After we got this girl named her Stella she went straight to the vet; her abdomen was dragging the ground, she had labored breathing and X-rays showed she was indeed pregnant but was mostly just filled with food. She was still having bowel movements and still eating but the pellet paste was just coating her insides layer after layer which would eventually cause a complete blockage.
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We took her home and started feeding her only fluids blended fruits and veggies as well as watermelon and she pooped and she pooped and she pooped some more. Only fruits and veggies with a bit of miralax in her water. At the same time breathing treatments because her overly filled insides had her lungs compacted which was causing pneumonia. Thankfully, all the work paid off and her lungs and intestines were clear by the time the piglets were ready to be born.
Stella with one of her babies, sadly before they passed away.
Sadly though the first piglet turned out to be crossed with a large farm hogs type of breed and was huge and stuck in the birth cannal for to long before we were able to pull it out. After the huge white piglet that looked like a yorkshire was pulled out came 2 small spotted pot belly piglets but only one was able to be revived. We later found out that little guy had a heart defect. Most likely from inbreeding since Stella was bred at only 3 months of age is was most likely by her father or brother. The sweet little piglet passed away a few weeks later peacefully in his sleep laying in the hay with his mother. Stella survived all of this and is a sweet loving adoptable piggy here at our farm.
From Chipmunk to Hoppie and finally named Rho, this pig was given a 2nd chance at life.
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Rho after her leg had to be amputated.
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Follow this sweet girl on Instagram!! (Her new family started a page for her)
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Maggie Gatlin discusses a piglet that was going to be killed because of a deformed leg.
First called Chipmunk. She was given to us at a few days old by a local breeder who said they were going to cull her. Basically they were going to drowned her because she had a deformed leg. At the time we had a mother with 2 new born piglets so we put baby Chipmunk with her new mom and she did great. We had a piggy parent who had seen disabled pigs we had in the past and being the kind person she is (investigator in elderly abuse cases) she wanted to adopt a pig that needed her. So once Chipmunk now called Hoppie was spayed and she flew all the way from Tx to her new home in Niagara Falls New York were she was renamed Rho and has seen several vets for advice and just last month at 2 years old, Rho went to Cornell were she under went an extensive surgery first to try and straighten her existing limb but when that was not possible so they amputated the lower section in preperations to fit her for a prosthetic once she is healed. She is home with her sister pig and human mom now and in a few weeks we hope to see her new leg.
First called Chipmunk. She was given to us at a few days old by a local breeder who said they were going to cull her. Basically they were going to drowned her because she had a deformed leg. At the time we had a mother with 2 new born piglets so we put baby Chipmunk with her new mom and she did great. We had a piggy parent who had seen disabled pigs we had in the past and being the kind person she is (investigator in elderly abuse cases) she wanted to adopt a pig that needed her. So once Chipmunk now called Hoppie was spayed and she flew all the way from Tx to her new home in Niagara Falls New York were she was renamed Rho and has seen several vets for advice and just last month at 2 years old, Rho went to Cornell were she under went an extensive surgery first to try and straighten her existing limb but when that was not possible so they amputated the lower section in preperations to fit her for a prosthetic once she is healed. She is home with her sister pig and human mom now and in a few weeks we hope to see her new leg.
Maggie Gatlin's Gia
Maggie Gatlin talks about a dog attack survivor, Gia.
Gia is a loving adoptable piggy here at our Texas farm. Gia is a dog attack survivor her sister was killed and Gia lost her ears. Later Gia suffered from photosensitivity most likely brought on by a plant she ate while in the pasture grazing. This cause painful ulcers to form on her snout and around her eyes. She had to be isolated and kept out of the sun. She made a full recovery and is a very sweet girl even after all she has been threw. It's been years now with no further photosensitivity but we no longer allow her to graze out in the big pastures in fear she could again go threw that.
Gia is a loving adoptable piggy here at our Texas farm. Gia is a dog attack survivor her sister was killed and Gia lost her ears. Later Gia suffered from photosensitivity most likely brought on by a plant she ate while in the pasture grazing. This cause painful ulcers to form on her snout and around her eyes. She had to be isolated and kept out of the sun. She made a full recovery and is a very sweet girl even after all she has been threw. It's been years now with no further photosensitivity but we no longer allow her to graze out in the big pastures in fear she could again go threw that.
Natalie Rowe's Ophelia
Natalie Rowe talks about Ophelia, the pig with a surprise for them.
I apologize for the length of this. We now have 12 rescue pot-bellied pigs at our farm. The first pig we got was Ophelia, who we adopted through our local OSPCA shelter. What no one knew was that Ophelia (who had been abandoned in a barn in the dead of winter) was pregnant. Two months after we got her, a week after we figured out she was expecting, she gave birth to 6 lovely piglets who still live with us. Since then we have adopted five other rescue pigs from the Ontario SPCA and from another shelter in Quebec. Our pigs' stories all share a similar theme: once they were loved and part of a family. Then they became too big, too destructive, too WHATEVER, and were surrendered or abandoned, eventually making their way to us. That latest pig we adopted was Gracie, who is 6 and spent the past 5 years in a filthy pen after having once been a house pig. She is doing great, and now that she's on a proper diet (NOT dog food and pea soup mix and Triscuit crackers! Don't get me started!) and exercising in 4 acres of pasture, she's losing weight and is much happier.
I could go on and on but suffice to say, we have set our limit at 12 pigs. In the month after we got Gracie, we were asked to adopt two more pigs (which we had to refuse, because we need to make sure we can have sufficient time and funds to care for all the animals we adopt!) We could have 100 pigs tomorrow if we wanted. There is a RIDICULOUS number of pigs out there needing homes. Some are mistreated, some are just no longer wanted... you know the story. One pig (Henry) we adopted was depressed for months after we took him in. It took a long time to win his trust and convince him that life would be good again. Pigs are sensitive, intelligent creatures who deserve happy lives, and it pains me to no end seeing how frivolously people get pigs as pets with zero commitment to what can be an 12 - 15 year lifespan, only to discard them when the pigs start acting like ... pigs.
If you would like to read more about our rescue pigs (and other rescue animals) check out the "Our Animals" section of our website: http://www.beemeadowfarm.com/
Thank you for all you do to educate people about mini pigs!!! I believe education is the key to reducing the numbers of unwanted and abused pigs.
I apologize for the length of this. We now have 12 rescue pot-bellied pigs at our farm. The first pig we got was Ophelia, who we adopted through our local OSPCA shelter. What no one knew was that Ophelia (who had been abandoned in a barn in the dead of winter) was pregnant. Two months after we got her, a week after we figured out she was expecting, she gave birth to 6 lovely piglets who still live with us. Since then we have adopted five other rescue pigs from the Ontario SPCA and from another shelter in Quebec. Our pigs' stories all share a similar theme: once they were loved and part of a family. Then they became too big, too destructive, too WHATEVER, and were surrendered or abandoned, eventually making their way to us. That latest pig we adopted was Gracie, who is 6 and spent the past 5 years in a filthy pen after having once been a house pig. She is doing great, and now that she's on a proper diet (NOT dog food and pea soup mix and Triscuit crackers! Don't get me started!) and exercising in 4 acres of pasture, she's losing weight and is much happier.
I could go on and on but suffice to say, we have set our limit at 12 pigs. In the month after we got Gracie, we were asked to adopt two more pigs (which we had to refuse, because we need to make sure we can have sufficient time and funds to care for all the animals we adopt!) We could have 100 pigs tomorrow if we wanted. There is a RIDICULOUS number of pigs out there needing homes. Some are mistreated, some are just no longer wanted... you know the story. One pig (Henry) we adopted was depressed for months after we took him in. It took a long time to win his trust and convince him that life would be good again. Pigs are sensitive, intelligent creatures who deserve happy lives, and it pains me to no end seeing how frivolously people get pigs as pets with zero commitment to what can be an 12 - 15 year lifespan, only to discard them when the pigs start acting like ... pigs.
If you would like to read more about our rescue pigs (and other rescue animals) check out the "Our Animals" section of our website: http://www.beemeadowfarm.com/
Thank you for all you do to educate people about mini pigs!!! I believe education is the key to reducing the numbers of unwanted and abused pigs.
Shauna's lucky boy Stanley
And Melvin
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And Todd
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Shana Landis Holderby talks about the horrific life Stanley had before finding himself at her home.
I have 3 beautiful pig-son's I got Todd from my dad who got him for my daughter and we all know how that goes. Then I got Melvin from a Facebook unwanted animals page from a lady who got him and his sister at 1 week old and had been bottle feeding them but had 6 small kids under the age of 10 and no yard so it was just too much for her. I found a home for his sister and I took him. Then there is Stanley, he is my rescue as I received a message from a friend of a friend that her mom had a baby piglet that had been running around her property for 2 weeks and could I help. Of course I did and I went up there daily to try to find him I taught them how to safely trap him and within a week they called me and I came and got him. I tried to find the owner and no one came forward so I got him neutered and decided to keep him. Well a couple of weeks after I decided to keep him I got a phone call from a friend saying she knew who owned Stanley but she wanted me to keep him because the lady who was his owner got irritated with him so she had tied him up by his neck outside to a tree and he escaped. She was also known to find it funny to hear him squeal when she let her great Dane toss him in the air he is still terrified of dogs. He is my buddy and I am so glad he is safe with me. This is Stanley.
I have 3 beautiful pig-son's I got Todd from my dad who got him for my daughter and we all know how that goes. Then I got Melvin from a Facebook unwanted animals page from a lady who got him and his sister at 1 week old and had been bottle feeding them but had 6 small kids under the age of 10 and no yard so it was just too much for her. I found a home for his sister and I took him. Then there is Stanley, he is my rescue as I received a message from a friend of a friend that her mom had a baby piglet that had been running around her property for 2 weeks and could I help. Of course I did and I went up there daily to try to find him I taught them how to safely trap him and within a week they called me and I came and got him. I tried to find the owner and no one came forward so I got him neutered and decided to keep him. Well a couple of weeks after I decided to keep him I got a phone call from a friend saying she knew who owned Stanley but she wanted me to keep him because the lady who was his owner got irritated with him so she had tied him up by his neck outside to a tree and he escaped. She was also known to find it funny to hear him squeal when she let her great Dane toss him in the air he is still terrified of dogs. He is my buddy and I am so glad he is safe with me. This is Stanley.
Teddy the pig
Erika Hamblin discusses how Teddy came into her life:
This is Teddy, who we adopted from the AMPA registered Oinking Acres rescue, and he is the PERFECT pig for our family! (Even if he does blow his coat, and makes farts that can clean out a room.) The first week after we got him, we noticed that he had a problem with swiping (and even bit my husband!) when we tried to pet his face. The rescue was amazingly patient and hands on with us, explaining that Teddy had been abused and smacked in the face, and was understandably frightened and trying to protect himself. They suggested that we go very slowly, and reward him every time he allowed us to touch his face, and with their help, we've earned his trust, and he allows us to touch his face. I'm still amazed that they knew the exact root of the problem and exactly how to fix it!
Oinking Acres did an AMAZING FANTASTIC job educating us, reassuring us, and making sure that Teddy was the PERFECT addition to our family before we ever even met him. They've been incredibly supportive before, during and after the adoption, and are ALWAYS available for us if we have questions. I know no matter how silly my question, they'll have great answer, insights and tools to help me (and Teddy!) solve whatever issues we might have. I honestly cannot imagine a better adoption experience. (Uh, except for the poop in the back of my car...) I loved getting to meet all of their other rescues. The pigs that come into their lives are truly blessed, and pigs everywhere are so lucky to have them as part of their network and as ambassadors. Any questions we have are answered quickly, with step-by-step, thoroughly explained reasons, and they work AMAZINGLY well. (Though, in hindsight, I should have NOT started Teddy's breakfast time so early.... Waking up at 5:30 on a Saturday to a hangry pig is NOT for the faint of heart!)
Our only regret is that they're not closer, since we would love to be better friends! If we ever adopt another pig, I can't imagine that we'd adopt from anywhere BUT Oinking Acres! And we would be willing to take any pig they'd suggest, making that long, long drive to add another member of our family.
Adopting Teddy has been the BEST experience, and I cannot imagine how it could have possibly gone better. (Okay, except for the pooping and farting in the car part!) I'm SO grateful they chose us to be Teddy's family, and canNOT say enough great things about our adoption experience!
I asked my only child 9 year old, who wasn't sold on the idea of a pig stealing his attention, and he agrees. Teddy is a GREAT pig! Oinking Acres is an 11 on a scale of 1-10, and Teddy is at least a 12. In the 6 months he's been with us, he's learned to trust us enough to let us pet his face, and get over his fear of the treadmill, and learn how to open a fridge.
We are so grateful to Adventures at Oinking Acres!! This is Teddy last weekend helping out in the yard. We are super grateful for rescues!!
This is Teddy, who we adopted from the AMPA registered Oinking Acres rescue, and he is the PERFECT pig for our family! (Even if he does blow his coat, and makes farts that can clean out a room.) The first week after we got him, we noticed that he had a problem with swiping (and even bit my husband!) when we tried to pet his face. The rescue was amazingly patient and hands on with us, explaining that Teddy had been abused and smacked in the face, and was understandably frightened and trying to protect himself. They suggested that we go very slowly, and reward him every time he allowed us to touch his face, and with their help, we've earned his trust, and he allows us to touch his face. I'm still amazed that they knew the exact root of the problem and exactly how to fix it!
Oinking Acres did an AMAZING FANTASTIC job educating us, reassuring us, and making sure that Teddy was the PERFECT addition to our family before we ever even met him. They've been incredibly supportive before, during and after the adoption, and are ALWAYS available for us if we have questions. I know no matter how silly my question, they'll have great answer, insights and tools to help me (and Teddy!) solve whatever issues we might have. I honestly cannot imagine a better adoption experience. (Uh, except for the poop in the back of my car...) I loved getting to meet all of their other rescues. The pigs that come into their lives are truly blessed, and pigs everywhere are so lucky to have them as part of their network and as ambassadors. Any questions we have are answered quickly, with step-by-step, thoroughly explained reasons, and they work AMAZINGLY well. (Though, in hindsight, I should have NOT started Teddy's breakfast time so early.... Waking up at 5:30 on a Saturday to a hangry pig is NOT for the faint of heart!)
Our only regret is that they're not closer, since we would love to be better friends! If we ever adopt another pig, I can't imagine that we'd adopt from anywhere BUT Oinking Acres! And we would be willing to take any pig they'd suggest, making that long, long drive to add another member of our family.
Adopting Teddy has been the BEST experience, and I cannot imagine how it could have possibly gone better. (Okay, except for the pooping and farting in the car part!) I'm SO grateful they chose us to be Teddy's family, and canNOT say enough great things about our adoption experience!
I asked my only child 9 year old, who wasn't sold on the idea of a pig stealing his attention, and he agrees. Teddy is a GREAT pig! Oinking Acres is an 11 on a scale of 1-10, and Teddy is at least a 12. In the 6 months he's been with us, he's learned to trust us enough to let us pet his face, and get over his fear of the treadmill, and learn how to open a fridge.
We are so grateful to Adventures at Oinking Acres!! This is Teddy last weekend helping out in the yard. We are super grateful for rescues!!
Aristotle BEFORE
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Aristotle NOW
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Beverly Smith talks about a pig who was crammed in a crate with no water or room to move around in.
Aristotle was stuck outside in a dog crate meant for a tiny dog. It was so small he was stuck in his own waste. To top it off, they gave him shade by wrapping him in a tarp, which also trapped the heat in. I didn't see any water either. Luckily I got him right before the temperature went from the low 80's into the high 90's. He was underweight, dehydrated, and his skin was flaking off when I brought him home. We kept him in a playpen the first week and all he did was shake in fear. He now has his own room in our house and gets free run of the house when the dogs are outside. We start building his daytime outside kennel tomorrow--he's finally getting over his fear of going outside. He will only go outside for sun and rooting time and will remain an indoor pig as long as that is what he wants. He is on proper pig food, back to a healthy weight, neutered, and skin has healed. We are foster fails as I feel the need to keep him to ensure he never knows fear or pain again--my promise I made while he was healing.
Aristotle was stuck outside in a dog crate meant for a tiny dog. It was so small he was stuck in his own waste. To top it off, they gave him shade by wrapping him in a tarp, which also trapped the heat in. I didn't see any water either. Luckily I got him right before the temperature went from the low 80's into the high 90's. He was underweight, dehydrated, and his skin was flaking off when I brought him home. We kept him in a playpen the first week and all he did was shake in fear. He now has his own room in our house and gets free run of the house when the dogs are outside. We start building his daytime outside kennel tomorrow--he's finally getting over his fear of going outside. He will only go outside for sun and rooting time and will remain an indoor pig as long as that is what he wants. He is on proper pig food, back to a healthy weight, neutered, and skin has healed. We are foster fails as I feel the need to keep him to ensure he never knows fear or pain again--my promise I made while he was healing.
Now named Violet, Kathleen will make sure she has the best care possible.
Kathleen Keyes Pool speaks out about a pig she is rescuing from a shelter.
On my way to spring this poor girl from a LA shelter. She's a big girl and extremely depressed. Please send prayers that I will able to get her loaded by myself if it comes down to it.
Obviously this was only the beginning.
She gladly walked into the kennel and some guys there loaded her up, but I unloaded her myself when we got home. She didn't want to move so I had to drag her inside, tip the kennel, then lift one end at a time out. Her back is skinned deeply in several places but wounds have dried over, do not feel hot or smell necrotic. She did finally get up and collapse on the pile of blankets I made for her, and seems to be sleeping.
After picking her up?
Wounds dressed, rubbing her down with vitamin E oil, and she's doing her best to stretch out a little. She also drank quite a lot of water. Next on tonight's spa treatment is the cleaning of ears and...uh..."folds," and lastly a pedicure if she agrees to it. She seems to be loving the attention. Might have a fractured front leg. ~Kathleen
On my way to spring this poor girl from a LA shelter. She's a big girl and extremely depressed. Please send prayers that I will able to get her loaded by myself if it comes down to it.
Obviously this was only the beginning.
She gladly walked into the kennel and some guys there loaded her up, but I unloaded her myself when we got home. She didn't want to move so I had to drag her inside, tip the kennel, then lift one end at a time out. Her back is skinned deeply in several places but wounds have dried over, do not feel hot or smell necrotic. She did finally get up and collapse on the pile of blankets I made for her, and seems to be sleeping.
After picking her up?
Wounds dressed, rubbing her down with vitamin E oil, and she's doing her best to stretch out a little. She also drank quite a lot of water. Next on tonight's spa treatment is the cleaning of ears and...uh..."folds," and lastly a pedicure if she agrees to it. She seems to be loving the attention. Might have a fractured front leg. ~Kathleen
Violet is a little more responsive this morning. I am most concerned about the swelling on her back around the wounds. It pretty much covers her upper back and is warm along the perimeter but cool in the center. The wounds are dry and hard, I dressed them to add moisture and relieve tightness. ~Kathleen 10/22/2016
This rescue just took place October 21st 2016, we will update y'all as we find out additional details. All we know is that Violet is one lucky girl!!
This rescue just took place October 21st 2016, we will update y'all as we find out additional details. All we know is that Violet is one lucky girl!!