We are often asked, "Why so many pigs?" or
"Why don't you do more adoptions?"
Often times these questions are asked with genuine curiosity,
other times, that question is being asked with snap judgments and incorrect assumptions.
We wanted to dedicate a page specifically to explain why there are so many pigs here at our Sanctuary and just how much our Sanctuary has helped with pigs in need and why your support is crucial to our organization's sustainability.
2020 Upson Hoarding Case
On January 18, 2020 our organization rescued 88 pigs from a horrendous hoarding situation in Upson County, GA. Many pigs were starved, in need of medical attention, with none of the pigs spayed or neutered, the breeding was out of control. After being rescued, many of the females delivered litters of piglets.
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Due to the Pandemic that began shortly after their arrival, our family of five and a skeleton crew of volunteers have been the only caretakers for these pigs since their rescue. A few lucky pigs have been adopted from the case into loving homes, but today, there are 140 pigs from the Upson pig case residing at our sanctuary.
Pigs can live for up to 20 years and require proper food, shelter, and routine medical care and can require specialty/sick care. Our average annual cost for just the Upson pigs is over $100,000 annually.
We were contacted by a concerned sanctuary who had been called by the renter and property owner of a farm near us. The farm had been used as the location for a young sanctuary, but they were being evicted and the pigs needed to leave or would be impounded and sent to auction.
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We made contact with the closing sanctuary to see how we could help them keep their piggies safe with networking and temporary housing on our property. The sanctuary owner had some major life changes and could no longer provide land, shelter, food, or medical care to the 25 + pigs on the property.
With the help of some donors, networkers and previous owners who surrendered their pigs to that sanctuary, we were able to offer temporary placement on an undeveloped part of our property to 22 of those pigs. Unfortunately, after moving the rescued pigs to our property temporarily, the original Sanctuary owner never came back or supported the pigs financially again. This put an immense amount of work and financial strain on our small team of caregivers, but after over 2 years in our care, we are pleased to report that they are all thriving; those who were not already spayed or neutered have been fully vetted.
June 2022 Sanctuary Surrenders
May 2024 Elberton Overbreeding Case
This case was a very local one for us, in our county, where we took in 33 pigs from a struggling woman who could not properly care for them or keep them from breeding.
The pigs were facing slaughter for food if not rescued immediately. She was beyond desperate. Most of the 33 pigs were piglets. They were not neutered or spayed and were living in cramped and inadequate conditions.
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Many of the females were pregnant and gave birth to many more piglets after arriving here to the Sanctuary. A handful of the piggies from this case have been adopted out into loving homes, in addition OFAS neutering and spaying the animals.
One of the biggest misconceptions about pigs is that a mini-pig will be 30-60lbs. This is simply not accurate.
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There is no such thing as a mini-pig.
Breeders have many ways of tricking people. A "mini-pig" can be over 300lbs, grow for 4-5 years, and WILL NOT stay that small, cute baby they advertised.
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Because of their growth, many people rehome or abandon their pigs once they are no longer "piglet" sized.
The "Mini Pig" Promise
Unethical Breeding
Many breeders make promises about sizes & temperament that are not true.
They give advice to starve the pig to keep him/her small, to make caring for a pig sound easier than it is.
Once they have their money in hand, they disappear quickly when the person they tricked catches on & needs help.
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Most of these pigs wind up at sanctuaries, animal control, or are sold to people with bad intentions.
Many people see a cute animal & instantly fall in love, but preparing for Pig Companionship is a huge commitment, especially with an animal that most people have no experience with.
Getting a pig without a plan is planning to fail & results in the pig being abandoned.
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Research your town, city, HOA rules: Are you allowed to have a pig?
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Research your local vets: Do any see pigs?
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Research Food Needs: Do you have access to proper pig food (not dog food)
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Research Hoof and Tusk Trim & Care: Learn how to DIY or find a local provider.
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Research: Spay & Neuter. This is not only necessary to stop overpopulation, but for long term health and behavioral benefits.
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Research: Proper Fencing & Shelter for your pigs
Improper or Inadequate Research
Overpopulation
Pigs can start having & impregnating babies when they are merely babies themselves.
Not only does this help breeders fool people into believing the mini-pig promise, but with lack of spaying/neutering, pigs multiply rapidly!
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A neutered pig can still impregnate a female pig for up to 30–60 days after surgery.
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Pigs can get pregnant as young as three months old, depending on the breed and diet.
Every pig that comes through our gates is spayed and neutered.