Petey's story: The little pig who got awayIn the fall of 2019, something incredible happened near Smithfield, NC. A kind woman named Wendy glanced out her window and saw a tiny piglet running for his life—chased by a pack of dogs. She acted fast, scooping him up and bringing him to safety.
Wendy kept the little pig warm, fed, and safe while she searched for a sanctuary that could take him in. She suspected he had escaped from a nearby commercial hog farm and wanted to make sure he didn’t end up back in the system—where he would almost certainly be slaughtered for bacon. When she reached out to us, we didn’t hesitate. This piglet had already beaten the odds just by surviving, and we knew he deserved a chance. Based on his size and condition, we believe he may have fallen through a vent port on a transport truck—a heartbreaking but not uncommon occurrence. That he survived the fall and made it into Wendy’s yard was nothing short of miraculous. From scared piglet to sanctuary starToday, Petey is a strong, playful, and very handsome adult farm pig. He lives happily among a herd of potbellied pigs—despite being a different breed entirely. We weren’t sure how well he’d fit in, but Petey quickly made himself at home. He’s gentle, social, and deeply loved by his herd, who often snuggle up against his warm body at night.
Petey’s story is more than just a rescue—it’s a message. Unlike his parents, siblings, and countless other pigs born into the commercial meat industry, Petey got out. Most pigs never get that chance. Many are taken from their mothers as young as 10 days old and taken to "finisher" farms, where they're raised in crowded, bleak conditions, and slaughtered before they ever experience the outdoors. An ambassador for changePetey is our ambassador for farm pigs everywhere. Visitors to the sanctuary are often shocked to meet a full-grown farm pig up close—and even more moved when they hear his story. That moment of connection, seeing Petey as a living, feeling individual rather than a product, can be powerful. And for many, it sparks reflection and kinder choices.
Petey is a survivor. He’ll spend the rest of his life surrounded by love, good care, and freedom—the life all pigs deserve. We’re honored to share his story and grateful to have him as part of our family. Read more about how Petey escaped the odds and became a symbol of hope here. |
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