Rescue & Adoptions

2006 Featured Rescues

University Pigs Graduate to Greener Pastures

In late May of 2006, Farm Sanctuary welcomed six new piglets at our California Shelter. Born from six different litters and ranging in age from two to four months old, they arrived at the farm late one evening and eagerly stepped out of the transport van and into their cozy new pen in our hospital building. The piglets were weak, sickly and coughing when they arrived, but they seemed happy nonetheless – and for good reason.

Just a few days earlier their future had looked very bleak. Victims of a society that unabashedly cheapens and exploits certain forms of sentient life, they had been used as “teaching tools” at a university veterinary hospital. After undergoing “practice” surgeries, their time at the school was up. No longer useful to the university, the piglets were scheduled to go to auction, and eventually to slaughter.

Sadly, this is the fate that countless farm animals used in university vet classes face each year. At some veterinary schools, the animals used for “practice” surgeries are bred specifically for student use and are raised at facilities on campus. At other schools, “test” animals are obtained from local farmers and returned once students are done with them.

Regardless of where the animals come from, though, they are all viewed as disposable learning aids, not as living creatures. Students perform all sorts of procedures on these unfortunate test subjects, including complicated and invasive surgeries. In the case of our six rescued piglets, the procedures were hernia operations. All six had fresh surgical wounds on their bellies when they arrived at Farm Sanctuary.

The morning after the piglets arrived at our California Shelter, we watched them greet their first sanctuary sunrise. They welcomed the warm dawn – and their newfound freedom – with a kind of reckless joy. Witnessing their glee, we couldn’t help but feel grateful, because we knew that without the help of a kind vet student, the piglets could never have lived to see this day. Their rescuer had been in the class that performed the hernia surgeries. Courageously, she spoke up for the piglets. When she was told that it was time for the piglets to go to auction, she asked that their lives be spared. Her courage and kindness meant the difference between life and death for six lucky souls.

Before arriving at Farm Sanctuary, our six newest arrivals were viewed as property and identified only by the numbers on their ear tags, but thankfully, when one vet student looked into their eyes, she saw more than research subjects or “tools.” She saw six unique individuals who could love and hope and feel just as she could, and who only wanted to live. Thanks to her courage and
compassion, the piglets have been given a chance at life and happiness.

Here at Farm Sanctuary, their ear tags have come off for good, and from now on, pigs number 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 60, will forever be known as Joan van Ark, Charlotte, Stacey, Simon, Cesak, and Johnny .

Update 10/27/2006

The piglets have taken to sanctuary life with boundless energy and enthusiasm. They experience every day with a fresh and vivacious outlook that is common to see when animals get a new lease on life free from abuse and neglect. Charlotte, Stacey, Joan Van Ark and Johnny are doing tremendously well in their large yard, where they splash and roll in their mud hole during warm weather. They are eager eaters, and enthusiastically squeal for their food every day in perfect pig fashion.

Cesak is doing well, though he continues treatment for his hernia, which was originally operated on by the vet students, and then under Farm Sanctuary's care. Unfortunately, when he was originally operated on as a "test" subject at the university, Cesak incurred an infection, which led to an abscess in his hernial sac. He is on antibiotics, and receives special attention from our healthcare staff. He is such a loving and cuddly pig, who has easily become a favorite at the shelter, and we keep our hopes up every day that he will come through his care with flying colors!

Unfortunately, Simon, a sixth piglet rescued from the veterinary school, did not survive his hernia troubles. Sadly, his tissues were so damaged from his ordeal at the university that one surgery was not enough. Soon after arriving at Farm Sanctuary, he had another surgery. However, Simon did not heal properly upon return from the hospital due to an uncontrollable abscess, and his life remained in danger. After exhausting all options, further surgeries were deemed not viable for Simon, so caregivers made the difficult decision to end his pain and discomfort peacefully.

Though they have not moved to the main herd yet, the piglets still interact frequently with other pigs beyond their fence, and are making friends with some of their fellow barnyard mates. The always-curious Ramona, a pig rescued from a sewer drain last year, who thrives at the California Shelter, is often found checking up on the piglets through the fence as they lounge and play in comfort and safety. No more are they mere test subjects for human use; they exist now for their own reasons, as they were always meant to do.

Update 02/16/07

There is no question that the piglets have found their perfect home - and true destiny. They are so happy to be safe and healthy now, and not at the hands of human experimenters. Since being introduced to the main herd they have made new friends, but still enjoy the company of each other most. Joan, Stacey, Johnny, Charlotte, and Cesak are forever special to each other, linked by a shared, harrowing past.

Cesak came through his hernia treatment with flying colors! When returning to UC - Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for a recheck, veterinarians found that his wound had fully healed with the help of the antibiotics, and, undoubtedly, also from Cesak's own "pig-headedness." His will to live and flourish overtook any possibility of failure, and he is now a healthy and contented young pig who frolics free from care with the others every day.

Soon after Cesak's clean bill of health all five of the piglets were ready to be introduced to the main pig herd. They were so excited to enter their new dwelling and meet the rest of the pigs they were almost bursting at the seams. They love roaming their new pasture every day, traveling out to the far reaches of the grassy enclosure to explore the new space. They always know to venture back in for feeding time, though, which they wouldn't miss for the world.

Stacey is the most feisty and rambunctious of the bunch. She is always the first to greet caregivers and barn cleaners at the gate when they come to visit, and she is forever hopeful they will carry with them some scrumptious delicacy for her enjoyment. She will then follow visitors around the barn as they go about their work; she is so bright, and forever curious about the workings of humans - and forever hopeful of more treats!

Johnny and Charlotte are laid back and lighthearted, living every day peacefully with great joy. Joan is very brave, and tends to be the first to try and garner Sugar Bear's attention each day. Sugar Bear was rescued as a piglet from a factory farm many years ago, and though she is often seen as quite the "tough girl," she takes the vivacious and curious pestering from the piglets in great stride. Like any good mother, she always knows when to put them in their place, but never disallows them her company.

We know Sugar Bear secretly enjoys the attention from these youngsters, though, which can especially be seen at night when two or three of the piglets will snuggle up close to her to sleep in her comforting energy. She may make a few grunts of dissatisfaction at first when they lay beside her, but soon they are all sound asleep, happy to have each others' company and warmth. Never again will the piglets have fears or doubts about their days on this earth. They will enjoy every moment with a renewed hope and trust in their surroundings, and in the humans who care for and love them deeply.