Our premiere interview is with Lorelei Pulliam of Ranger’s Rescue in Virginia. (Formerly Gallastar Therapeutic Riding)
Q: What is your name?
A: Lorelei Pulliam
Q: What is your rescue/sanctuary name
A: Ranger’s Refuge at Gallastar Equine Center (Formerly Gallastar Therapeutic Riding)
Q: What is your location?
A: Afton, VA
Q:How much land do you have?
A: Two farms: one is owned by us and is 12 acres. One is given for us to use free of charge - 24 acres
Q: How many pigs do you have (mini pigs, farm pigs, feral pigs)?
A: We have approx 150 pigs. 2 are Kune Kunes, 1 Guinea Hog, and 1 Farm pig. 3 are registered Potbelly pigs. 1 is half farm pig. The rest are mini pig mixtures and some part feral.
Q: How many times a year are you asked to take in another pig, on average?
A: We get several inquiries a week to take pigs.
Q: Do you take in other animals?
A: Our sanctuary is part of a therapeutic riding and animal assisted therapy center. My husband is a mental health professional and LPC, I am a special educator and Board Certified Behaviorist. Besides the pigs, we have 13 equines, 9 goats, several chickens, a turkey and dogs and cats.
Q: Do you still have room for more?
A: We do not have room for any more. Almost all that are here were life and death. We take in from kill shelters, slaughter bound or those who will perish or suffer terribly if not rescued. We can only network those needing homes by owners.
Q: Do you adopt out or are you a forever home?
A: If an animal is adoptable and we can find a GOOD home, we place so that one that is not social or special needs has a spot.
Q: How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been rescuing animals for almost 40 years. We have been rescuing at Gallastar for more than 20 years. Pigs for 15 years.
Q: What started you on this course?
A: My parents always rescued animals. It is how I was raised.
Q: How do you raise money for the animals?
A: Some of our animals are sponsored. That helps a great deal. Our sponsors are a HUGE part of how we provide.
Q: What do you spend on average per pig per young/mature pig per year?
A: Our feed bill for pigs averages 1500 a month. Horses are 500. They eat such a wide range. So the pigs average ten dollars a month. But we mill our own high quality feed at an affordable cost. Straw and hay is extra. Whole Foods donates high quality fruits and vegetables weekly.
Q: What do you spend on average per pig per elder pig per year?
A: The cost of elders is very high. Most of our pigs are over 10. The average age is 13 or over. Many are on Adequan for arthritis, as well as oral meds. It is a huge expense. As their time comes to leave us, it usually runs a minimum of 500.00 each. There are vet visits, x rays, exploratory surgeries, euthanasia, and then the burial or cremation costs. This is the part that few consider when they start out. When the animals are young and healthy, it is usually smooth sailing. An aging herd is extremely expensive and breaks you heart - a lot. It never gets easier saying Good-bye.
Q: If you could put out any personal message to the world, what would it be?
A: I am thankful every day that we spayed each pig as they came in, even when we took in 70 girls at one time. It has been a huge savings over time. Tumor surgeries run in the thousands. The vet bills are the most difficult thing that we deal with due to some special needs pigs and the arthritis care. We are always in need of volunteers and are so appreciative of our friends on Facebook who help us out.
Please check out their website by clicking the link below. There are links to sponsor a pig, links to their mission and also pictures of their rescue. These 2 people have dedicated their lives to caring for unwanted pigs, in addition to other animals for almost 2 decades. Rangers Refuge at Gallastar is a nonprofit 501c3 charity, so any money or items donated are tax deductible. They have a proven record of excellence and every pig that is there is extremely lucky to call it home. They have a variety of pigs there, some young, some adult and some elderly/senior pigs. They also have several disabled pigs rescued from horrendous situations. ALL of their pigs have special meaning to them, and if you can ever get Lorelei to sit and chat for a few, she can tell you the story of how EVERY single one of the pigs came to be in her care. Amazing people.
www.rangersrefugeatgallastar.com
These photos are some of Lorelei's lucky pigs and their friends
Q: What is your name?
A: Lorelei Pulliam
Q: What is your rescue/sanctuary name
A: Ranger’s Refuge at Gallastar Equine Center (Formerly Gallastar Therapeutic Riding)
Q: What is your location?
A: Afton, VA
Q:How much land do you have?
A: Two farms: one is owned by us and is 12 acres. One is given for us to use free of charge - 24 acres
Q: How many pigs do you have (mini pigs, farm pigs, feral pigs)?
A: We have approx 150 pigs. 2 are Kune Kunes, 1 Guinea Hog, and 1 Farm pig. 3 are registered Potbelly pigs. 1 is half farm pig. The rest are mini pig mixtures and some part feral.
Q: How many times a year are you asked to take in another pig, on average?
A: We get several inquiries a week to take pigs.
Q: Do you take in other animals?
A: Our sanctuary is part of a therapeutic riding and animal assisted therapy center. My husband is a mental health professional and LPC, I am a special educator and Board Certified Behaviorist. Besides the pigs, we have 13 equines, 9 goats, several chickens, a turkey and dogs and cats.
Q: Do you still have room for more?
A: We do not have room for any more. Almost all that are here were life and death. We take in from kill shelters, slaughter bound or those who will perish or suffer terribly if not rescued. We can only network those needing homes by owners.
Q: Do you adopt out or are you a forever home?
A: If an animal is adoptable and we can find a GOOD home, we place so that one that is not social or special needs has a spot.
Q: How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been rescuing animals for almost 40 years. We have been rescuing at Gallastar for more than 20 years. Pigs for 15 years.
Q: What started you on this course?
A: My parents always rescued animals. It is how I was raised.
Q: How do you raise money for the animals?
A: Some of our animals are sponsored. That helps a great deal. Our sponsors are a HUGE part of how we provide.
Q: What do you spend on average per pig per young/mature pig per year?
A: Our feed bill for pigs averages 1500 a month. Horses are 500. They eat such a wide range. So the pigs average ten dollars a month. But we mill our own high quality feed at an affordable cost. Straw and hay is extra. Whole Foods donates high quality fruits and vegetables weekly.
Q: What do you spend on average per pig per elder pig per year?
A: The cost of elders is very high. Most of our pigs are over 10. The average age is 13 or over. Many are on Adequan for arthritis, as well as oral meds. It is a huge expense. As their time comes to leave us, it usually runs a minimum of 500.00 each. There are vet visits, x rays, exploratory surgeries, euthanasia, and then the burial or cremation costs. This is the part that few consider when they start out. When the animals are young and healthy, it is usually smooth sailing. An aging herd is extremely expensive and breaks you heart - a lot. It never gets easier saying Good-bye.
Q: If you could put out any personal message to the world, what would it be?
A: I am thankful every day that we spayed each pig as they came in, even when we took in 70 girls at one time. It has been a huge savings over time. Tumor surgeries run in the thousands. The vet bills are the most difficult thing that we deal with due to some special needs pigs and the arthritis care. We are always in need of volunteers and are so appreciative of our friends on Facebook who help us out.
Please check out their website by clicking the link below. There are links to sponsor a pig, links to their mission and also pictures of their rescue. These 2 people have dedicated their lives to caring for unwanted pigs, in addition to other animals for almost 2 decades. Rangers Refuge at Gallastar is a nonprofit 501c3 charity, so any money or items donated are tax deductible. They have a proven record of excellence and every pig that is there is extremely lucky to call it home. They have a variety of pigs there, some young, some adult and some elderly/senior pigs. They also have several disabled pigs rescued from horrendous situations. ALL of their pigs have special meaning to them, and if you can ever get Lorelei to sit and chat for a few, she can tell you the story of how EVERY single one of the pigs came to be in her care. Amazing people.
www.rangersrefugeatgallastar.com
These photos are some of Lorelei's lucky pigs and their friends
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Piglet born from a pregnant rescue RR opened their home for.
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One of the disabled pigs at Ranger's Refuge.
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