The Virginia 155 pig rescue operation has been on-going since December 2020. For those not aware, this was a farm in central Virginia in which pigs roaming the land bred out of control to around 155 in number. The property owner is a kind man who did not have the resources or know what to do about the problem.
We were one of the first organizations to save a pig from this site back in December 2020 (Madison, who was pregnant at the time). Our other resident Sunday also came from the Virginia 155 operation.
Thankfully to many volunteers and months of hard work, nearly all of the pigs had been captured, fixed, vaccinated, and re-homed by early September. When we saw a post that there were still 16 male pigs left at the property, we felt the need to try and help again. We had room for two more, so we took a road trip on Labor Day 2021 to see which pigs we could bring home.
Arriving on site, the property owner headed out to the main field where the pigs wandered loose during the day to try to lure two of them back into a pen area so we could capture them into crates for the trailer ride home. Assisted by the very helpful Krissi Vandenberg and Jessica Braswell who coordinated our visit, we managed to capture both pigs very easily. Almost too easily it would turn out.
After loading one of the pigs in the trailer, we returned to find that somehow, someway, the other pig had escaped loose from the crate! Right then and there we decided to name that one Houdini for his magical escape act. Fortunately we were able to corner him again and this time doubled checked all locks and latches so escape was not possible. We decided to name his already-captured friend Teddy (after Houdini’s real-life brother Theodore).
It was an over two hour drive back home but both Houdini and Teddy did very well cooling off in the trailer with bags of ice we brought along for the trip home. Within a week they had completely adjusted to life here at Piggins and Banks with the other pigs, and even partake in extracurricular activities such as sitting in the pool.
Help Support Houdini and Teddy
We depend on the support of kind-hearted people to help ensure pigs like these pigs receive the best daily care possible! Please consider making a small donation or even sponsoring them as a virtual pig parent. All donations make a positive difference in the lives of our pig residents. Should you choose to sponsor any pig, 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 them in person!