Rescue & Adoptions

2006 Featured Rescues

Orphaned Piglets Find a Place to Call Home

Alfred and Violet were found wandering the countryside near a horse farm in Guilford, Vermont. When the owner of the farm first spotted the tiny, 30-pound piglets in July of 2006, she wasn’t sure where they had come from, but she could see that they needed help. She knew they wouldn’t last long on their own without food and shelter, and she feared they might make easy prey for coyotes. Unwilling to let the helpless piglets die, she gave them a temporary home at her farm and began searching for someone who might be willing to adopt them.

For several weeks, the owner of the horse farm and a kind woman who works for the Humane Society of the United States tried to find a loving home for Alfred and Violet. Several farmers said they would take the piglets, including the owner of a local petting zoo, but none could promise to keep them safe from harm. They all admitted that they would send the pigs to slaughter once they grew into adulthood. This, of course, was not what the two animal rescuers had in mind.

Worried that they might never find a home for the precious piglets, the two women had almost lost hope by the time they contacted Farm Sanctuary. Happily, though, we had room for Alfred and Violet at our New York Shelter and immediately agreed to help. Just a short time later, in early August, the lucky piglets were loaded into a cozy, straw-filled van and transported from Vermont to Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen.

Both were a bit nervous as they climbed into the vehicle, but they had no reason to fear. They didn’t know it yet, but they were on their way to a place of perfect peace and comfort, where all their dreams would come true.

When Alfred and Violet arrived at Farm Sanctuary, our staff and volunteers were ready to greet them. We welcomed the piglets with open arms, and they boldly stepped out of the van. The next morning they awoke to a bright, sunny day – and a new beginning.