Cashew pig was raised as part of a school agriculture program. At as young as six months old, he would have been slaughtered, but this affectionate pig helped his family through hard times—and they were so moved that they chose to save his life in return.

The student raising Cashew had done the same with other pigs before. She even “showed” Cashew at the California State Fair, where he won first prize in his category. 

But Cashew soon became more than a show pig. This time, a special bond formed between the young student, his family, and the animal who showed them how caring and emotional pigs can be.

Cashew comforted the family as they navigated difficult times over the past year. They likened his loving, playful personality to that of a dog they would call a companion. As he lifted the sadness that weighed heavily on them, they began to see him more like an “emotional support animal” than one to be used for food. Soon, they couldn’t bear the thought of sending Cashew to his death, so the mother reached out to Farm Sanctuary for help.

Hearing about Cashew, we knew we could find him the perfect forever home in our Farm Animal Adoption Network (FAAN). Soon, we were thrilled to learn that adopter Ellie DeSilva could welcome the sweet pig to Indigo Farms Healing Sanctuary.

FAAN allows us to save as many farmed animals as possible by taking in those we can at Farm Sanctuary’s two locations and placing others with adopters we know and trust. Indigo Farms is home to other Farm Sanctuary-placed pigs named Pistachio, Honeydew, and Rhubarb, and we couldn’t wait for Cashew to join them.

As is sometimes the case in rescue across multiple locations, transportation was a barrier, but our California rescue team ensured that Cashew could get to Oklahoma.

After picking him up from his home, we brought Cashew to our Los Angeles sanctuary for an overnight stay. He was not at all shy about meeting our caregivers, exploring, and enjoying some zoomies.

The next day, we started our trip to Oklahoma, and Cashew did well on the rest of his journey. Click here to learn how Farm Sanctuary safely and compassionately brings farmed animals to their new homes—and how you can help those who suffer during cruel transport in animal agriculture.

Cashew and his adopters, Ellie and Leigh Ann, quickly bonded, and the adventurous and happy pig immediately started exploring his forever sanctuary.

“All of our pigs have such very different personalities, but the one thing they all have in common is gratitude. They seem to be truly happy and content to have their family and their freedom,” says Ellie DeSilva of Indigo Farms Healing Sanctuary. “With Cashew, I don’t think he realizes what his original fate was going to be, which is perfectly fine with us. No one ever needs to live with that trauma. He’s just so content with what is and has settled in very nicely. It feels like he has always been here.”

“Cashew’s a funny guy with an amazing personality—so easy-going and carefree. We are so lucky to have been able to rescue him and so grateful to Jennifer and her daughter for giving him a chance to live a full and happy life,” says Ellie. And thank you, Farm Sanctuary, for helping to make this all happen!” 

By welcoming animals to our California and New York sanctuaries and working with FAAN members to place other farmed animals in need, we are saving as many lives as possible—with your help. Your support is vital, and there are many different ways to join our mission.