advocacy
Why we do what we do
Despite being some of the smartest and most complex animals on the planet, pigs are victims of some of the cruelest practices, often suffering both intentionally and unintentionally at the hands of humans.
to a better tomorrow for pigs.
friends, not food.
1.5 billion pigs are killed globally each year, and it’s time to influence change. The easiest way to show compassion to pigs and all animals is to leave them off your plate. We know that a journey to reducing or eliminating animal products can be a difficult road, but every single time you make a vegan decision, you're making a huge impact. Just know that YOU can make a difference without sacrificing deliciousness.
Meet Kitty. She was saved by the ASPCA from the largest animal cruelty case in New England's history. Over 1500 starving animals were saved from a tenant farm in Massachusetts, all of whom were living among their dead and emaciated kin. Kitty came to us in 2017 with her brothers Willie and George. Kitty is one of the gentlest, sweetest giants.
bust THE "MICRO PIG" MYTH
Have you ever seen a breeder on social media selling "micro" or "teacup" pigs for $3000-$6000 dollars? These breeders intentionally inbreed and starve their pigs to keep them small, and advertise newborn babies as proof of their size. All pigs are born small, and all potbelly pigs grow to an adult weight of 80-250 lbs by the time they are 4 years old. Pigs who are starved or weaned early often suffer from severe skeletal and muscular malformations. While we generally avoid the term “mini pig” because of the the misleading implications, it’s a commonly used zoning term to distinguish certain pigs from standard 600+ lbs pigs.
Meet Magnus was raised to be a "micro" pig, and was about 10 lbs when he first came to us even though he was about 1 year old. He was so muscularly underdeveloped that he had a prolapsed penis which has since been amputated. Today, Magnus is shy, curious, and comes more and more out of his shell each day.
support for Pig parents
Pigs make a beautiful addition to a family, but just like human relationships, relationships with pigs take a lot of work to build trust. Many people who adopt pigs expect them to behave like dogs, but typically that's untrue. We offer behavioral support and consultations for pig parents to help them through any difficulties integrating a pig into their family. Pigs can be very challenging pets, and in fact over 95% of them get rehomed over their lifetime, but we've found that with a little guidance and understanding of what matters to pigs, as well as the right home conditions pigs, you can have a truly special bond with your pig.
If you are a pig parent and would like to learn more, please join or CTPR Pig Parent Support group on Facebook.
alternatives to animal testing
Pigs are some of the most commonly used animals for medical and cosmetic testing practices because they share so many common physiological traits with humans. Often, studies involving pigs deal with pain responses, military medical research, and the reproductive system. They experience a barren environment with no stimulation, outside time or the normal companionship of other pigs. Typically, animals used for testing are euthanized upon the conclusion of the study.
Jojo was rescued from a medical testing lab in 2021. Yucatan pigs like her are often used in testing because of their amicable and kind nature. Jojo is so curious, outgoing, and expressive, and in her first several months with us, she barely stopped moving and exploring. Jojo’s two best friends are Pearl & Steve.
rights for pigs
Pigs are regarded as livestock by federal law and the USDA regardless of whether or not a pig is a loved family member. This means that pigs don't have nearly as many protections in the US as dogs and cats do. Actions that would warrant felony charges to seek justice for cat or dog victims are perfectly legal if inflicted on a pig.
This must change. Until pigs are protected from the most heinous crimes, pigs' lives will continue to be undervalued on both small and large scales.
Cal and his sister, Aurora, were saved from being used as dog bait in 2018.
LOVING PIGS AS PIGS
Pigs are bright, opinionated, and joyful. They play, they love, they have best friends who are people and pigs. They love to snuggle, they hold grudges, and feel grief and loss just like we do. A pig's trust and love must be earned and maintained. By telling their stories, we hope that you'll learn to appreciate pigs for who they are. And, if you've never met a pig in person before, we encourage you to look up one nearest to you so that you can spend some time giving belly rubs to see what the is pig magic is all about.
Henry enjoys some pumpkins with his ‘brother’ Atlas. Henry is a potbelly pig who decided to join the Kunekune pig family, and they welcomed him openly. Henry was saved from the Caldwell cruelty seizure, and Atlas from the Bastrop cruelty seizure. Pigs are loyal family members, and when a pig chooses you as their family, it’s a true honor.