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Blossom Blossom and her sister, Flower, came from a hoarding situation but have flourished since their rescue. Initially, Blossom was severely overweight, blind, and deaf. With proper care, she has regained her sight, mobility, and now enjoys exploring her large pasture. Her adventurous spirit has also helped her overcome her shyness, and she feels comfortable in her surroundings despite missing a tail from a previous attack. |
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Buddy Buddy came into our care in the fall of 2021. He is one of the largest pigs at the Sanctuary at approximately 900 lbs. Buddy is a sweet soul and has the kindest eyes. He is an absolute lover of belly rubs and he will instantly drop to the ground at the slightest invitation of receiving one! He also thoroughly enjoys spending the majority of his day napping. |
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Buttercup Buttercup joined our care in October 2025 after her previous caretaker, who loved her deeply, made the difficult decision to surrender her. It was an emotional day for her family, but they knew it was the kindest choice for Buttercup’s wellbeing. She’s a true sweetheart who quickly wins hearts with her affection, and she especially loves belly rubs. |
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Carl Carl came to us with his brothers when their caretakers had to sell their farm and couldn't take the boys with them. Carl is very shy around people and he absolutely loves a good nap in the sunshine. He is known as the Jay Leno of the pigs and he has two dew claws on each of his front legs when he should only have one! |
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Charlie Charlie was seized by the BC SPCA due to a pot belly pig hoarding situation in Ladysmith, B.C. in 2017. He is one of the sweetest pigs at the sanctuary and a LOVER of belly rubs from a trusted human. Whenever possible, he will spend his day eyes-deep in the dirt, searching for roots to munch on. |
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Clairebelle In November 2024, Clairebelle and her sister, Winnie, found a new home at the sanctuary after their caregiver faced health challenges. While Clairebelle initially appears shy, don't be fooled – beneath her reserved exterior lies a confident and skilled digger! Both sisters are curious and intelligent, always eager to explore their surroundings and discover new sights and smells. It's clear that their mantra is 'digging is life', and they keep the team on their toes with their antics and adventures! |
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Esme Esme arrived at the sanctuary in late 2022 after being surrendered as a runt from a pig farm. Like most Yorkshire pigs, the most common breed raised in animal agriculture, she would normally have been slaughtered at just 6 months of age. Yorkshire pigs are bred to grow quickly and reach large sizes, but Esme is only about 25% of the size she should be. Ironically, her tiny stature saved her life. Esme also lives with a neurological disorder that gives her a hypermetric gait, causing a slight tremor and a distinctive “prance” when she runs. Despite these challenges, she is full of energy, has a ferocious appetite, and is exceptionally active. Today, Esme thrives at the sanctuary alongside her companions Annabelle, Fran, and Wilson, with whom she shares a close bond. Her story is a reminder of the realities faced by pigs bred for meat production, and how individual lives can change dramatically when compassion intervenes. |
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Eugene Eugene came into our care after he was found abandoned, at just a few months of age, completely emaciated and feral. Eugene is a skilled rooter, having thoroughly rooted up his entire pasture. He's also the stereotypical big, gruff dude that you are scared to make eye contact with, but who would be the first to whisk you off to safety at the first sign of danger approaching. Eugene has lived in peace and harmony at the sanctuary since 2017. |
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Ernie Ernie came into our care with Tony, Scarlett, Mabel, and Jeffrey in November 2023 due to an eviction and living in a state of neglect. He weighed 360 pounds and had mobility issues due to his stomach hanging on the ground when he walked. With nutritious food and lots of space to explore, Ernie lost over 100 pounds! He knows spends his days rooting around the pasture with his herd. |
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Flower Flower and her sister, Blossom, came to us from a hoarding situation, living in a filthy environment. Since her arrival, Flower has lost over 100 pounds and has completely transformed—she's regained her sight, hearing, and mobility after being severely overweight. Despite some damage to her right ear from a dog attack, Flower’s affectionate nature shines through, and she loves seeking out belly rubs. Also, how cute are her teeth!!!? |
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Francesca
Francesca’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Born on a pig farm, she was accidentally stepped on by her mother when she was two days old, causing a severe injury that completely severed her intestines. Against all odds, she made it into our care at only 18 days old, and thanks to the incredible skill and compassion of Dr. Petra at Elk Lake Veterinary Hospital, Francesca underwent life-saving surgery that gave her a second chance. Since arriving in October 2025, Francesca has blossomed into a feisty, sassy little girl who loves exploring the outdoors. Her fierce appetite, playful spirit, and boundless curiosity remind us daily of her resilience and determination. What began as an emergency intake has grown into a tale of survival, strength, and joy. Francesca is living proof that miracles happen. |
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George George came into our care after his caregivers fell on hard times and had to sell their farm. They tried numerous avenues to find him a new home, but were unsuccessful and desperate to find him a safe place. George loves people and will flop over for a belly rub. Initially, he had a hard time finding another pig companion, until one evening when he walked into Gracie's shelter at bedtime and tucked himself in. From that moment on, they have been inseparable. |
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Gracie
Gracie was surrendered because she was continually nursing from the goats she was being kept with... yes, you read that right! She is one of our nippier pigs, but she is a sucker for belly rubs. When tasks need to be done in her pen, we tag team with one volunteer rubbing her belly while the other one works. Gracie has exceptional hearing and is always the first one to raise the food alarm bell. For many years, she enjoyed being a solo pig until one evening when George wandered into her shelter and tucked himself in! 🧡 |
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Hazel Hazel came to us from the BC SPCA and we were asked to take her because she had been there for several months and hadn't found a forever home. Hazel adores people and reigns high in the pig hierarchy. Hazel is also Charlie's and Charlotte's mom, so we were very excited to reunite them with her. |
Henry
Henry came into our care in the winter of 2024 after a bylaw officer contacted us about a pig who had been reported abandoned by a local resident. The municipality was unable to find a safe placement for him, and their legal department advised that the only remaining option was for conservation officers to shoot him, due to pigs being classified as an invasive species. Given the urgency of the situation, we immediately stepped in to bring him to safety.
Henry is a loving and talkative boy who enjoys nudging people for affection and food. He can often be heard cheerfully jibber-jabbering as he goes about his day. |
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Hooper
This gorgeous boy came into our care in November 2025 so we could ensure his quality-of-life needs were fully met. As a senior, Hooper had been living with chronic arthritis that had not previously been managed. Now, under our care, he’s receiving proper daily medication to relieve his arthritis pain—and he’s doing wonderfully. Plus, he has the cutest set of teeth we’ve ever seen! |
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Jack
Jack is bursting with personality and has a soft spot for people—almost as much as he adores his wallow. He and his best buddy, Little Man, have crafted an impressive wallow of their own that outshine the one built by the humans! Jack is also expanding his palate and has recently discovered a love for fresh produce, with pineapple quickly becoming a favourite treat. |
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Juniper
Juniper came to us after she was seized by the BC SPCA. Just like Hazel, they were not able to find her a forever home, so she came into our care. It's an all to common story for full grown pot bellies, as it is difficult to find a home once they are out of the adorable piglet phase. Juniper is a love bug and seeks affection from everyone. |
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Little Man
Little Man is very friendly and talkative—always ready to share stories about his day and then politely ask about yours. With one striking blue eye and one warm brown eye, Little Man is truly one of a kind. While his big brothers dig trenches around him, he loves to curl up and sleep snugly inside them. |
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Maia
Maia came into our care in early 2021 after her caretakers were going through a divorce and needed to move. Maia is one of the tiniest pigs at the Sanctuary, but don't let her size fool you. She is a little firecracker when it comes to other pigs, but as sweet as pie with her human friends. She is especially fond of her herd mates and you can often find them snuggling together in their straw bed. |
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Olive Olive came to use in early 2021 due to her caretakers' divorcing and having to move. They were unable to rehome her due to biting behaviour. Olive's biting is linked to very poor vision and her trying to bite when she thinks you have food. She is incredibly fond of belly rubs and will flop over in a heart beat. |
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Penelope Penelope was surrendered due to struggles with depression and severe obesity. Thanks to a nutritious diet and the freedom to roam and explore her spacious pasture, she has transformed into a healthy and happy pig. Pen is an incredibly sweet soul who loves nothing more than lounging in the sunshine all day long. Penelope is a beautiful testament to the profound impact your support can have by becoming a monthly sponsor. |
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Penny Penny came into our care in the fall of 2021. She ABSOLUTELY loves wallowing in mud, so much so that we think she's part amphibian. She will frequently get the zoomies and race around her pasture, tossing members of her herd aside if they get in her way. If you see her in person, her ears will remind you of angel wings! |
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Petunia Petunia came into our care in the fall of 2021. She is very meek and shy when around people. She is exceptionally gentle when she takes a treat from your hand, but she is one of the top pigs in her herd. If someone bites her in the bum, she will soon retaliate with a bite of her own to show them who's boss. |
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Piggy Sue Piggy Sue came into our care in the fall of 2021. She is an expert biter and will send almost every human running if you enter her domain. She is easy to spot because her hackles are frequently up, but she is very sweet with the other pig members of her herd. When we put fresh straw in her shelter, she is often caught moving straw around her boyfriend, Buddy, making him a nice comfy bed while he naps. |
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Schnyder Schnyder was surrendered into our care after his owner fell on hard times and was not able to care for him properly. He was living in a bedroom with no access to the outdoors and suffering from depression. When Schnyder arrived he was under weight and covered in mites, but after a few months of TLC, he made a full recovery. Schnyder absolutely loves his freedom, and even a rainy day won't deter him from exploring the outdoors. He also LOVES to eat snow and chunks of ice...then shiver after he's had his fill. |
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Tunie Tunie came to us in November 2018 due to several health concerns that needed to be addressed. Tunie was morbidly obese which has resulted in "fat blindness," her hooves were extremely overgrown, and she has a hernia on her back end. She has now lost over 150 pounds, regained her sight, and has a new lease on life. She is also the resident "grumbler" and always has a story to tell! |
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Wilson Wilson arrived into our care in February 2024 via the wonderful team at PEACE Rescue & Resources. Wilson was listed online for free because he had a bilateral inguinal hernia. A very kind person took him in as soon as she saw his ad online and immediately reached out to us for support. Wilson was quite timid when he arrived, and now he loves affection! Wilson lives with Annabelle, Fran, and Esme and you can find them at the gate waiting for their belly rubs. |
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Winnie In November 2024, Winnie and her sister, Clairebelle, found a new home at the sanctuary after their caregiver faced health challenges. Winnie, the self-proclaimed boss and leader of the herd. Known for her craftiness and charisma, she truly embodies the spirit of a mob boss, commanding respect and loyalty from those around her. Both sisters are curious and intelligent, always eager to explore their surroundings and discover new sights and smells. It's clear that their mantra is 'digging is life', and they the team on their toes with their antics and adventures! |
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Winston Winston came into our care in the fall of 2021. He has the fastest legs at the sanctuary and he will follow you anywhere if he thinks you have food. He is the tiniest pig here. He is what every thinks they are getting when they purchase a "mini pig," but his size is a rarity. When you meet him you will absolutely adore him and his tiny stature. You will often find him snoozing in the straw with his best buddy, Chuck. |