Current Press Releases

Plucky Pig Cheats Death, Finds Refuge at Farm Sanctuary

ORLAND, Calif. — March 17, 2010 — It’s not every day that you find a pig grazing in your yard. But that’s exactly what happened to a Red Bluff, California couple last week. The 20-pound pink piglet was transported Monday night to the Orland-based shelter of Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization.

Despite her diminutive stature, the feisty piglet was reluctant to be captured, but hunger ultimately got the best of her, and the couple was able to get her to safety after she stopped to gobble up some oatmeal and greens they put out for her and then promptly snuggled into a pile of straw to sleep. She is in good health and, other than getting some well-deserved rest, is not expected to need further medical attention.

The piglet most likely escaped from a breeder, where she would have been sold and slaughtered for pork. The couple who rescued her couldn’t bear the thought of this sweet, courageous pig having anything other than a happy ending, so they contacted Farm Sanctuary, who agreed to take her.

“We are so happy that this piglet made it to Farm Sanctuary, where we can offer her a safe place to recover and catch up on some much-needed sleep,” said Farm Sanctuary’s California Shelter Director Leanne Cronquist. “We are grateful for the compassion the couple showed to this sweet little piglet in need. Here, she will get plenty of belly rubs and be able to play in the mud, stretch out in the sun, and just enjoy being a piglet.”

The piglet will remain at the shelter in Orland until placed in a permanent home, where she will grow up out of harm’s way. More than 1,500 farm animals have found loving homes through the nonprofit’s Farm Animal Adoption Network since 1986. Compassionate persons interested in adopting a farm animal in need are invited to visit farmsanctuary.org and fill out an application.

If you would like to receive a photo of the rescued piglet or speak with Farm Sanctuary’s California Shelter Director, Leanne Cronquist, please contact Meredith Turner at 646-369-6212 or mturner@farmsanctuary.org.

About Farm Sanctuary
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 farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.