Winnie (Heartland Farm Sanctuary)

Little Winnie’s rescue story began suddenly and violently when she tumbled off of a livestock transport truck and into traffic on July 25, 2013 in Wisconsin. Two different families stopped to help her, but before they could, an impatient driver tried to run Winnie over and then ultimately resorted to kicking her until she could no longer get up. He finally gave up, and handed over poor Winnie to her rescuers by her hind leg.

The two families jumped into action to help Winnie, wrapping her up in blankets and calling around the area to figure out where they could bring her. According to Heartland Farm Sanctuary, “After many failed calls to police, the sheriff, and local animal shelters, [the families] found the number of Dana Barre, founder of Heartland Farm Sanctuary. Dana told them to give the piglet water and take her to the nearest shelter where Heartland staffers would pick her up.”

When little Winnie arrived at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine a few hours later, her chances were reported to be slim. She had internal bleeding and injured organs, and as a tiny piglet, it was difficult to see how she might be able to pull through. Thankfully, Winnie’s health took a turn for the better, and after care from veterinarians, she was welcomed to her new home at Heartland ahead of schedule. Heartland reports that, “Staff, volunteers and twenty humane education campers, aged seven to twelve, welcomed the injured piglet. She was given the emotional and physical care she needed, and she began to thrive.”

It soon became clear that Winnie was sharp, and that she needed an outlet for her intelligence. Staff and a volunteer professional dog trainer began training Winnie to interact with people. As Heartland explains, “Pigs are intelligent, strong and assertive, so Winnie was taught polite behaviors such as backing up when asked, sitting, and walking on a leash.” Now around 900 pounds, Winnie still loves people - especially children served by Heartland’s animal-assisted programming. When she isn’t working as a pig ambassador, Winnie spends her time in the pasture with the other pigs at the farm. She enjoys homemade meals, splashing in mud puddles, and curling up in her snug straw bed. Heartland is now, “...Winnie’s forever home, where she will help many vulnerable children and educate people on just how remarkable pigs are.”

Winnie found her sanctuary at Heartland Farm Sanctuary.