Current Press Releases

Fifteen Pigs Rescued from Midwest Floods Find Permanent Refuge in West Virginia

Farm Sanctuary Brings Animals to New Home at PIGS Animal Sanctuary in Shepherdstown

Shepherdstown, West Virginia – October 6, 2008 – Farm Sanctuary, which operates the largest rescue and refuge network for farm animals in North America, will transport 15 rescued pigs to PIGS Animal Sanctuary in Shepherdstown, W. Va. tomorrow. The animals were rescued in June and July off a levee in Oakville, Iowa, where they were stranded without food, clean water or shelter amidst floods that ravaged the Midwest this summer. The rescue, which resulted in the recovery of more than 60 young pigs and breeding sows left behind by evacuated farmers, was the most ambitious of Farm Sanctuary’s 22-year history of saving animals’ lives.

“When we rescued the pigs they were severely dehydrated and emaciated and suffered from third degree burns from the sun, as well as lung damage from taking in contaminated water as they swam for their lives. Many were injured and completely terrified. After months of rehabilitation at Farm Sanctuary, however, most of these brave pigs are now stable and ready for new adventures,“ said Susie Coston, national shelter director for Farm Sanctuary. “We are so grateful to PIGS Animal Sanctuary for giving 15 of these smart, sensitive and sweet pigs a safe refuge for life, allowing them to become ambassadors for those animals who are not so lucky.”

“PIGS Animal Sanctuary is very excited about the arrival of our fifteen newest residents!” said Melissa Susko, executive director of PIGS Animal Sanctuary. “Every animal who comes through our gates has a special story, but these pigs are especially extraordinary. They have not only survived the nightmare of the floods, but also their prior existence on factory farms – places where they were overcrowded and confined indoors and denied the basics of a natural life. We are so thankful to be able to change their fate by offering them a lifelong home at PIGS, one of the few places on earth where a pig can be a pig and have no fear or worries ever again."

The PIGS Animal Sanctuary adoption is one of the first of many that will occur throughout October and November nationwide. The Midwest flood survivors are being placed through Farm Sanctuary’s Farm Animal Adoption Network (FAAN), a national project initiated to provide safe, permanent and loving homes for rescued farm animals. Since Farm Sanctuary incorporated more than two decades ago, FAAN has made a difference for thousands of abused and neglected farm animals across the country.

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at http://www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.

PIGS, Inc, a Sanctuary is a place of refuge for abused, abandoned, neglected and unwanted animals. They specialize in the care of potbellied pigs and farm pigs, but shelter other farm and domestic animals as well. The Sanctuary currently provides a safe haven for approximately 400 animals, including potbellied pigs, farm pigs, horses, cats, dogs, goats and many other species. Typically, animals residing at the Sanctuary have complicated medical and/or emotional needs, a history of abuse and/or neglect, diseases or ailments related to factory farming or genetic engineering, and are often considered “un-adoptable.” The Sanctuary seeks to find forever homes for many animals, but serves as a permanent home for hundreds of un-adoptable animals. PIGS works to expose the cruelties of the domestic and farm animals through our educational tours and events, media exposure, participation with select animal protection agencies, government and private entities.