A mother pig named Grace and her daughter Jodean found sanctuary after an adventurous night on the streets of a California neighbourhood. The rescue unfolded in early December 2024, after startled residents reported the pigs to local animal control in the middle of the night.
The unusual scene involved Grace, her nine piglets, and a potbellied companion wandering through the streets, causing a commotion. Responding swiftly, animal control officers brought the pigs to the Chula Vista Animal Care Facility. The Farm Sanctuary, a renowned organisation dedicated to rescuing and advocating for farm animals, stepped in to provide permanent homes for Grace and Jodean, and ensure a happy ending for the entire group.
Established in 1986, Farm Sanctuary operates facilities in Los Angeles, California, and Watkins Glen, New York. These sanctuaries care for over 600 rescued animals and serve as beacons for promoting animal protection and the vegan philosophy. Their mission goes beyond sheltering animals; it’s about fostering awareness of the cruel realities of animal farming and advocating for systemic reforms away from animal agriculture.
Although nobody found out where Grace and Jodean originally came from (and whether they escaped or were abandoned), their story reflects the plight of many pigs raised on farms or kept as pets. In the sanctuary, Grace has demonstrated the maternal love and protective instincts that would be denied to her in an animal factory, showing just how devoted pigs can be as mothers.
Since they arrived at the sanctuary, Grace and Jodean have been adjusting well to their new lives. The organization shared their story on social media. In an Instagram post on the 6th of December, they wrote, “On factory farms, mother pigs like Grace are repeatedly impregnated, with many spending most of their lives confined to tiny metal crates during pregnancy. They never get the chance to show love and affection to their babies, which breaks our hearts. When allowed to stay with their babies, pigs are great mothers. They protect their babies with ferocity and even make sure they are safe and cosy by building fresh nests.”
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