Statements
Mission
Shepherd's Green Sanctuary exists to provide rescue, lifetime care and other aid and assistance to abandoned, abused, neglected, homeless and otherwise endangered pigs.
Background
The number of miniature pigs who desperately need a safe, secure, healthy and loving home continues to escalate each year. Animal control facilities, shelters other rescue agencies are either unwilling or physically unable to rescue and care for these unique animals. Adding to this problem is the growing number of domestic farm pigs being rescued from 'factory farms' as more and more people are becoming aware of the horrible plight of the farmed animals in the US. Existing pig sanctuaries and farmed animal sanctuaries are fast approaching their limits or have already exceeded them. Many pig sanctuaries are being overwhelmed by the sheer number of pigs they are being asked to take or they are finding themselves unable to generate the funds to remain solvent and are closing their doors. The difficulty in obtaining sufficient, reliable funding for a pig sanctuary remains a daunting challenge. Pigs do not enjoy the popularity or funding of the more traditional companion animals. Our Tennessee spay fund for instance, does not allow us to participate, even though we are the only agency in the state providing spay/neuter services as a part of our Outreach program for pigs, and most foundations specify dogs and cats only for their grants. The ability to place unwanted pigs in good homes is extremely limited due to their wholly unsuitable nature for pets. These are captive wild animals, the analogy is more that of making a pet of a deer than a dog or cat. Thus, the need for sanctuaries for abused, abandoned and otherwise unwanted pigs remains critical as it is most often their only option for survival. Since 1996 we have provided a sanctuary for those who are homeless and programs to educate and assist in the care of those in private homes. We are one of only two accredited sanctuaries specializing in pigs, by the American Sanctuary Association since 2003. We have received numerous awards. We have stood on street corners and sold baked goods and made national presentations to vets in training.. we have buried our friends after medical science failed them and rejoiced at the recoveries of others who were not expected to live. We have spent endless hours on the phones/email to help pigs all over the world find medical care, provided nutrition and environmental information and tried to turn the mindset from pet to captive wild animal.. the only answer to end his suffering. And 365 days a year, the day begins with the hospital pigs with their special breakfasts and meds and ends when all have been tended. In the 30 years I have been rescuing these pigs, I know them well and grieve for every one born. Less than 1% will survive to grow up. The ASA has stated that potbellied pigs are the worst case of overpopulation/abuse ever seen in all the decades of its operation. They oversee and monitor/evaluate sanctuaries for every kind of exotic, wild, and domestic animal.
Impact
As a "force," we are best described as "a big frog in a little puddle." Sanctuaries for pigs in the US and Canada are few and seldom last long. Most try to operate initially as rescue/adoption organizations, only slowly coming to the understanding that these are wild animals by genetics and the more they are handed around the worse their suffering. The financial impact of this bit of knowledge is enough to shut down most organizations whose startup was based more on compassion than a good understanding of business practices. At an average of $8000 per pig for its lifetime care, just a small herd of 100 pigs will require well over a half million in donations or self-funding, even in a static economy. And that is with all volunteer labor. What we do, year in and year out is give the animals in our care a safe, comfortable life with excellent medical care, high quality foods and the freedom to live in groups of their choosing. Our Helping Hoof programs provides foster care costs for pigs we cannot take in, as well as assisting with S/N, food, housing, habitat development and medical care where we can. A large percentage of our resident pigs came from the closing of other sanctuaries due to death, disinterest or economics. In 2016, at the start of the year we had nearly 200 newly rescued pigs. 167 came from the closing of Planet Pig in Missouri and another 36 were abandoned by the volunteers who were helping move the pigs from MO. By the middle of the year we saw failing health conditions beyond the expectations for a herd of their ages and types. By Fall, we had vetted 15% of them and that level of vetting has continued. The impact on Shepherd's Green was a near doubling of all expenses and daily work, in addition to putting us at our capacity cap. In 2018, we completed consolidation of two sanctuary locations into one. We cared for 335 pigs in residence and provided outreach to many others. We operate in a totally organic manner and observe good conservation practices. Wildlife abounds, unmolested, and we are happy to be a part of it all. We are proud to be the Go-to site on line for information on pigs. Our site is totally non commercial, offering nothing for sale or to which they can subscribe for fees. Our services on line and off are all freely provided for the welfare of pigs. We do not charge to transport, pay a home visit to advise on problems in the home, or any other service. We do not board pigs. Vets and other sanctuaries feel confident we give the right information to answer a myriad of difficult questions about husbandry and health. We offer an annual Sick Pig clinic, a two day seminar to give sanctuary caregivers a better understanding of the common health issues they will encounter.
Needs
Reliable part time helpContributions to our Homecoming Trust Donations to our daily care costsSupport for our Helping Hoof Outreach program, blankets, travel crates, crate mats, time (learn to be a transport person) Advocate to support the end of pet pig suffering. Contact us for the program.
CEO Statement
To build and operate a sanctuary for pigs of all species and sizes....from 75 pound potbellied pigs to 1000+ pound farm pigs requires a special love and commitment to these unique, wonderful and most often maligned creatures. The director, volunteers, board members and supporters of this sanctuary have, together, built a nationally recognized, accredited sanctuary since its inception in 1996. In the past 3 years Shepherd's Green Sanctuary has: -Relocated the sanctuary from a 22 acre facility in DeKalb County to a new 34 acre facility in Overton County. -Provided outreach services and assistance to over 600 needy, non-sanctuary pigs across the US by personal contact and 1000 a month through our Helping Hoof Program. Budget in 2020 is 25% greater. - The director tends to hundreds of pigs here on site .. with no paid staff and a limited number of occasional volunteers. Pigs are now known to be the most intelligent species of animal. The pot bellies think in terms of future as well as past events and reason out complex problems. They conduct death 'rituals' and vocalize (if unsuccessfully) their needs. Still, in our culture these animals receive little compassion.. are considered by those who see all kinds as the most abused 'pet' in the nation today and receive almost no care, not even a painless death, from municipal agencies across the country. (Many of our TN shelters do take pigs). The challenge to the few, perhaps 20 or less, sanctuaries left in the US who care for them is overwhelming. We are considered the leader in pig care information.. but it will take more than education to stop the suffering. We need to help of legislators and the regulatory agencies to stop the breeding and private ownership of these wild animals. The sanctuary has never been short on vision or commitment to the pigs. We simply need support to make more things possible, among them to find ways/agencies to stop the continued proliferation of this species who has suffered too long in our 'pet' culture, where they do not belong.
Board Chair Statement
Even though we are at our capacity, we continue to reach out to help pigs remain in their home with our Helping Hoof fund, by providing education, fencing, housing etc. for people who have a sustainable home for the pig(s), but need assistance overcoming a specific obstacle. I'm so proud of this organization and all its supporters for continually doing everything possible for both the pigs in our care at the sanctuary as well as for those who need our assistance across the country.Our 5 year goal is to complete the funding of our Homecoming Trust program so that the pigs we have promised a long full life are certain it will be a fact. The days of 'it will all work out' so hesitantly stated by those for whom the problem is too hopelessly complex, the need too great in financial terms, and the clear knowledge that there is likely NOBODY to give the pigs what was truly genuine rosy promise, have been proven a false statement. No sanctuary we have bailed out has had a 'plan' for the pigs in their care. Some left money, but to an old pig, being taken away from his family and herd and shoved into a trailer to go to a place where he is unknown, well, in a word, it's devastating. Our Homecoming Trust will fund the care and has Trustees who will assure the daily lives of our residents goes on, regardless of circumstances. Its taken 10 years to get to this place, I for one know exactly how difficult it is.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Animal Related - Animal Protection & Welfare |
| Secondary Category: | Animal Related - Alliances & Advocacy |
| Tertiary Category: | Animal Related - Professional Societies & Associations |
Areas Served
| National |
| TN |
