Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, High Falls, New York

Woodstock received a call from local animal control that a pig was on the loose on one of the highways. Police had managed to corral her in a garage to avoid any accidents, and the Woodstock crew arrived with a trailer to take the scared pig to safety. Olive’s escape circumstances remain unknown, but her future is one of safety and love. Olive loves human attention, but she is one territorial girl when it comes to her fellow pigs: despite her smaller stature she routinely bosses the other pigs around who defer to her feisty self.

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Originally kept at an agricultural college's "Pizza Farm" as the precursor example of sausage, Christina was slated to be slaughtered at he end of the program, yet through compassionate intervention her release to Animal Acres was secured. The Drama Queen of the sounder was Christina’s affectionate title.  She jealously and vocally guarded her personal space from pig and human, and whenever someone who outranked her would claim her spot, Christina’s protesting squeals and shrieks could be heard sanctuary-wide.  A master of the stink-eye, Christina conveyed more personality with one look than many humans could hope to manage.

Animal Place, Grass Valley, California

Ivan and his brother Mishka originally came from a small family farm yet experienced the same mutilation of tail docking found in large factory farms in addition to ear notching (cutting) that usually only small farms do for identification. A pumpkin patch owner purchased them as part of a temporary petting zoo idea, but then planned to sell them for slaughter. A visitor intervened, convinced the owner to never include a petting zoo again, and secured their release to Animal Place where the brothers enjoy lazy days in the straw.

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

A significant minority of farmed animals aren’t abused at the hands of large corporations, but by individuals running small, backyard operations often heralded as the “humane” option, yet they can be some of the vilest offenders as they scramble to cut costs in the face of larger competition. Such was the case for Dopey, his momma Sabrina, and his siblings. Residing in horrific conditions, Animal Control busted the facility, and all the residents found sanctuary. Dopey charms people with his mouse-like features and the calm sweetness with which he greets the world.

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Elf was spared from slaughter after his young human companion who raised him as a 4-H project couldn’t bear to see Elf die. Elf was a special boy, never fully accepted into the main sounder and estimated to have been 1200 lb. at no more than 2 years old, a consequence of pigs’ being bred for their meat and treated as products and not individuals. His right front hoof cracked under the pressure, defying all stabilization efforts and rendering him unable to move or live a normal life. His time was short, but Elf left strong hoof prints in the hearts of those who cared for him with his gentle and goofy demeanor.

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California 

A significant minority of farmed animals aren’t abused at the hands of large corporations, but by individuals running small, backyard operations often heralded as the “humane” option, yet they can be some of the vilest offenders as they scramble to cut costs in the face of larger competition. Such was the case for Grumpy and her momma Sabrina and siblings.  Residing in filthy conditions, Animal Control busted the facility, and all the residents found sanctuary. Grumpy is actually the sweetest of the siblings, one of the few who seeks out belly rubs and gently pushes her nose lovingly into caregivers, asking for attention.

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Rescued from a stockyard, little runt Jumper might have been discarded as worthless, but instead became an animal rights movie star, snagging a starlet turn in the fictional movie Bold Native. She quickly became the sanctuary darling after her film debut, biting ankles and causing mischief, something she hasn’t quite grown out of now that she is an adult – some might even say that her film career gave her a touch of the dramatic. However Jumper is an ardent fan of the belly rub and loves her ambassador role as a voice for all pigs.

Animal Place, Grass Valley, California

The three little piglets, Magpie, Rudy, and Georgina, were rescued from a petting zoo in Southern California.  The petting zoo let their resident pigs mate, and the resulting children were to be sold off for slaughter after they grew larger and less interesting to visitors.  Through determined effort a local individual secured the three piglets release much earlier and they were taken to sanctuary.  Magpie is the biggest, Rudy is the runt of the three, and Georgina has the most attitude.

Animal Place, Grass Valley, California

Not many escape from farms where they are raised as food products, but when they do the escapees often capture the attention of the public. Marigold was one such rescue, escaping as a young piglet from a farm that would have sold her at six months of age for slaughter or used her as a breeding machine. Luckily Marigold was found by Sacramento animal control and Animal Place offered the escaped piglet a permanent home where she has blossomed into a spunky and loving individual.

Animal Place, Grass Valley, California

Not many escape from farms where they are raised as food products, but when they do the escapees often capture the attention of the public. Marigold was one such rescue, escaping as a young piglet from a farm that would have sold her at six months of age for slaughter or used her as a breeding machine. Luckily Marigold was found by Sacramento animal control and Animal Place offered the escaped piglet a permanent home where she has blossomed into a spunky and loving individual.

Animal Place, Grass Valley, California 

The three little piglets, Magpie, Rudy, and Georgina, were rescued from a petting zoo in Southern California.  The petting zoo let their resident pigs mate, and the resulting children were to be sold off for slaughter after they grew larger and less interesting to visitors.  Through determined effort a local individual secured the three piglets release much earlier and they were taken to sanctuary.  Magpie is the biggest, Rudy is the runt of the three, and Georgina has the most attitude.

Animal Place, Grass Valley, California

The three little piglets, Magpie, Rudy, and Georgina, were rescued from a petting zoo in Southern California.  The petting zoo let their resident pigs mate, and the resulting children were to be sold off for slaughter after they grew larger and less interesting to visitors.  Through determined effort a local individual secured the three piglets release much earlier and they were taken to sanctuary.  Magpie is the biggest, Rudy is the runt of the three, and Georgina has the most attitude.

Ching Farm Rescue & Sanctuary, Herriman, Utah

Hairy Bob was one of several Bobs rescued from a research lab at a Utah university.  His breed, the Yucatan Blacks, are often experimented on and their organs used for organ transplantation, with little regard for the incredibly intelligent individual being subject to the experiments or organ harvest.  At sanctuary, Hairy Bob and his other Bob cohorts inspect the grounds for treats and stick their snouts in everyone’s business, keeping tabs on the sanctuary happenings.

Ching Farm Rescue & Sanctuary, Herriman, Utah

Laverne was found with her sister Shirley in a box, taped up and without any air holes, on the side of a Utah freeway in December. The piglets were about 4 days old, and near death when a woman saw the box move, stopped, and brought them home.  Living in a non-agricultural neighborhood, she could not keep them, so brought them to sanctuary.  There they were carefully nursed back to health, the parasites and grime removed, allowing them to flourish and be the joyous and gregarious pigs they should be.

Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary, Stockton, California

Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, Mehoopany, Pennsylvania

Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary, Scio, Oregon

Out to Pasture Sanctuary, Estacada, Oregon

Out to Pasture Sanctuary, Estacada, Oregon

Out to Pasture Sanctuary, Estacada, Oregon

Out to Pasture Sanctuary, Estacada, Oregon

Farm Sanctuary's Animal Acres, Acton, California

Alicia was supposed to be auctioned for slaughter after her young human companion raised her as a 4-H project.  The 4-H program is supposed to teach kids how to care for non-human animals, yet built into the system is the need to become uncaring and emotionally detached from their companion, knowing they will die at the end.  Some human kids do not resist their natural empathy, and cannot allow their beloved friends to be killed, and they fight to find another option.  Limited sanctuary space is often the only choice for these brave kids.

Out to Pasture Sanctuary, Estacada, Oregon

Out to Pasture Sanctuary, Estacada, Oregon

Sanctuary One, Jacksonville, Oregon

Lulu faced a short, brutal life in a factory farm where she would have been kept as a breeding sow, almost constantly pregnant, able to care for her children only for a brief period before they were taken away to group housing and then slaughter. However, as a tiny three month-old piglet, she was rescued and brought to sanctuary. Lulu will live out her days playing in the Sanctuary One pond, snuggling with her porcine friends, and educating the human visitors to the sanctuary about the intelligence of pigs with her affable nature.

Sanctuary One, Jacksonville, Oregon 

Lulu faced a short, brutal life in a factory farm where she would have been kept as a breeding sow, almost constantly pregnant, able to care for her children only for a brief period before they were taken away to group housing and then slaughter. However, as a tiny three month-old piglet, she was rescued and brought to sanctuary. Lulu will live out her days playing in the Sanctuary One pond, snuggling with her porcine friends, and educating the human visitors to the sanctuary about the intelligence of pigs with her affable nature.

Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, New York

Anna and Maybelle were probably on their way from a small-scale pig farm headed to a finishing facility. Falling off the transport truck likely without the driver noticing, these girls were later spotted and successfully lured in with food after two days running loose. Making their way to Farm Sanctuary for further care and treatment, the girls found a welcoming place that celebrated their freedom and their individuality. Anna is a bit more reserved and thoughtful than her sister, but still loves attention. 

Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen, New York

Maybelle and Anna were probably on their way from a small-scale pig farm headed to a finishing facility. Falling off the transport truck likely without the driver noticing, these girls were later spotted and successfully lured in with food after two days running loose. Making their way to Farm Sanctuary for further care and treatment, the girls found a welcoming place that celebrated their freedom and their individuality. Maybelle is spontaneous and curious, the first of the pair to investigate people. 

Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, Mehoopany, Pennsylvania

Selick and 54 other pigs were abandoned inside a dark, filthy barn. Left without food, water, or means of escape, the terrified pigs faced a horrific struggle for survival, but a local humane police officer found the scene, worked with Indraloka to extract all the pigs and secure homes for them. Indraloka kept the sickest pigs and those with special needs, including Selick who is blind. Now Selick is a sanctuary icon, traipsing around the property, getting into mischief and seeking treats, befriending humans, goats, turkeys and others, and charming everyone.

Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Saugerties, New York