Current Press Releases

Ten Pigs Rescued from Midwest Floods Find Permanent Refuge in Oregon

Farm Sanctuary Brings Animals to New Home at Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary in Scio

Scio, Oregon – October 24, 2008 – Farm Sanctuary, which operates the largest rescue and refuge network for farm animals in North America, transported 10 rescued pigs to Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary in Scio, Ore. last weekend. The animals were rescued in June and July off a levee in Oakville, Iowa, where they were stranded without food, clean water or shelter amidst floods that ravaged the Midwest this summer. The rescue, which resulted in the recovery of more than 60 young pigs and breeding sows left behind by evacuated farmers, was the most ambitious of Farm Sanctuary’s 22-year history of saving lives.

“When we rescued the pigs they were severely dehydrated and emaciated and suffered from third degree burns from the sun, as well as lung damage from taking in contaminated water as they swam for their lives. Many were injured and completely terrified. After months of rehabilitation at Farm Sanctuary, however, most of these brave pigs are now stable and ready for new adventures,“ said Susie Coston, national shelter director for Farm Sanctuary. “We are so grateful to Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary for giving 10 of these smart, sensitive and sweet pigs a safe refuge for life, allowing them to become ambassadors for those animals who are not so lucky.”

“After hearing about the horrors of the Midwest floods and the plight of the pigs who swam to safety only to be shot once they reached the levees, we jumped at the opportunity to help the survivors,” said Wayne S. Geiger, president of Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary. “Our great board of directors made a unanimous decision not only to provide sanctuary to 10 of the pigs, but also to educate the community about how pigs are treated on factory farms. Although Oregon is not known for its pork production, there have been several attempts by big agribusiness to start Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in the Northwest.”

The Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary adoption is one of many occurring throughout October and November nationwide. The Midwest flood survivors are being placed through Farm Sanctuary’s Farm Animal Adoption Network (FAAN), a national project initiated to provide safe, permanent and loving homes for rescued farm animals. Since Farm Sanctuary incorporated more than two decades ago, FAAN has made a difference for thousands of abused and neglected farm animals.

Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at http://www.farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.

The Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of abused and neglected farm animals. We work to educate the community in farm animal welfare and we advocate for public policy change.