The unfortunate reality, though, is that farm animals do not typically receive the same level of enjoyment in return; within mere weeks or months, they are often separated from their families and either slaughtered for food or bred to produce more babies to repeat the cycle.

The smallest of her litter, Junip Sydney was failing to thrive — in many cases, a signal of imminent death, as the animals’ “owners” do not deem it worthwhile to invest in their care. Instead, this petting zoo asked members of the community to foster Junip Sydney. Thankfully, Junip Sydney’s foster moms fell in love with this incredible individual, and reached out to Farm Sanctuary to ask if we could give her a chance at the life they knew she deserved.

Most farm animals are valued for what humans believe they can give us — food, clothing, or the enjoyment of a momentary meeting at a petting zoo, for example — but for the rest of her life, this sweet pig will be valued for the unique and wonderful individual she is.