Many of our pigs come from stories of abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Hearing their stories make you realize how lucky some of them are to be alive (and seeing how happy they are now you would not think they came from such a horrible past). Some pigs though have a good life, but as they grow, their owners realize the hard work and special requirements it takes to have a pig as a pet.
Hank is one of those pigs. His owner loved him, wanted him to have a great home, but realized he was getting too much to handle for their current living situation. He was constantly escaping, getting into trouble, and in short…being a pig!
Note to potential pig owners: If you are reading this article and considering having a pig as a pet, while we applaud you for saving a pig life, please read our article on pet pigs so you know what you are getting into and have realistic expectations: Pigs as Pets: The Good, The Bad, and The Piggy
A great Facebook support group that helps transport saved pigs from location to location known as Maggie’s Piggy Friends Transpo Express helped get Hank to us. Volunteer Angie picked up Hank and brought him to our sanctuary saving us driving time allowing us to have everything setup when he arrived.
Hank was placed in his own pen for a couple of weeks as he adjusted to his new pig friends. He was immediately an outgoing and friendly pig to us! After his acclimation period ended, he was given a permanent spot in our second large pig pen area with fellow pigs Hulk, Madison, Tiny, Mo, Kasey, Pixie, Bobbi, and Peter. After a bit of nudging and bickering to find out ranking in the herd (typical pig behavior), Hank is now one of the gang and enjoys his summer afternoons taking mud baths as seen below.
Help Support Hank
We are able to take in pigs like this because of support from people like you! Every pig we take in results in another mouth to feed, veterinary appointment to schedule, and more…all of which have significant costs. Please consider making a small donation or even sponsoring Hank as a virtual pig parent. All donations make a positive difference in the lives of our pig residents. Should you choose to sponsor Hank, you receive a welcome packet, some keepsakes, on-demand updates about him, and even a free ticket to one of our guided tours so you can meet him in person!