Meet the Pigs

  • Andy

    Birthday: August 2013

    Rescued: October 2013

    Andy and his sister Annie were PEAK’s very first residents!! They arrived as tiny piglets after escaping a backyard ‘butcher’ in Minnesota. It took them both some time to warm up to us and feel safe, as you can imagine.

    Andy is kind of the “little brother” of his herd. Andy is pretty laid back, a bit reserved, and usually takes his time through his day. He enjoys a little affection; it took awhile, but he’ll enjoy a belly rub when he is laying down. Andy and Annie are extremely close. They are almost always together and sleep close at night. The sibling’s friendship is beautiful to witness.

    In his older years Andy is experiencing some arthritis and mobility issues. In the summer he loves to lounge in his mud hole; in the winter he loves to tuck himself down in the straw. Andy has developed friendships with other species in the barn; he spends a great deal of time with turkeys Willow and Taffy.

  • Annie

    Birthday: August 2013

    Rescued: October 2013

    Annie escaped a backyard ‘butcher’ in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her brother, Andy. These two very brave piglets wanted to live and were PEAK’s very first residents.

    Annie and Andy are very bonded. Annie is definitely the leader, is very social, and investigates any happenings. She is usually out and about regardless of the weather; she’s very active! Her eyes are one of her most compelling features, they are a soft brown that will melt your heart. Annie also likes to play; sometimes she will do a little half turn to instigate play with humans. As far as her herd (family) goes, Annie is in the middle, and definitely doesn’t back down from the other pigs. She is sweet and strong.

    Annie’s best friend was Erica who passed away in September of 2023. Pigs grieve deeply, so we are offering Annie lots of love and support.

  • Hank

    Birthday: December 2017

    Rescued: February 2018

    We believe Hank jumped off a transport truck, escaping his fate, as he was found roaming the streets. Luckily, the shelter who found him contacted PEAK. Now Hank lives each day with all the love he deserves.

    Hank suffered frostbite on both ears and lost about half of his right one. Hank is THE SWEETEST PIG. Even as a baby, he would come running across a field to answer the sound of his name. Hank loves, loves, loves to cuddle.

    Hank is also quite the rooter, always learning and exploring. Hank loves to run in circles when he is excited. Hank forced his way into the hearts of Sue and Lucy; he can regularly be caught napping with both of them. His other friends are Pip, Potter and Petals.

  • Lucy

    Birthday: May 2014

    Rescued: July 2014

    n Illinois by a caring family after surviving a jump off a transport truck. Lucy is quite fond of humans and seeks affection. She was timid with the big pig herd, so initially she was pals with Twiggy the goat. Then her BFF, Tulip, was rescued in December of the same year. It was so good for both of them!

    Lucy has a big personality and is friendly and inquisitive. It is clear how much she enjoys her life. She loves to run, and she is fast! When Sue was rescued, Lucy took Sue on as an apprentice and showed her how to live her best life, too. Sometimes you can find Lucy just sitting, looking around, and taking in the moment. Mostly, Lucy spends her days hanging with her gal-pals Tulip and Sue.

  • Pip

    Birthday: August 2018

    Rescued: November 2018

    Pip was rescued along with his companion, Potter, and 40 other piglets from a factory farm in North Carolina. Pip was set to be killed with the other piglets via the gas chamber because they were considered too small to go to a “fattening” farm.

    Pip, Potter and the other piglets were surrendered; their rescuer, Erika, was told she must have them out before morning when their “replacements” would arrive. We are so thankful that Pip and Potter made it out and now have the life they deserve! Pip is definitely a small fella. Pip is the “talker” and very, very busy! Though small he gives Potter a run for his money on a regular basis. The two of them are so close and love to play, root, and investigate everything.

  • Potter

    Birthday: August 2018

    Rescued: November 2018

    Potter was rescued along with his companion, Pip, and 40 other piglets from a factory farm in North Carolina.

    Potter was set to be killed with the other piglets via the gas chamber because they were considered too small to go to a “fattening” farm and reach “market weight” in time for “slaughter.” This is standard practice on farms; runts and sick animals are discarded like trash at 2-3 months old rather than being killed at 6 months of age.

    Thankfully, the piglets were surrendered. We are so thankful that Pip and Potter made it out and now live the life they deserve! Potter is taller than Pip, a total lovebug and more of the leader. Pip loves a belly rub and likes to initiates play. Potter and Pip are very close and love to play, root, and investigate everything. Their family unit includes Sue, Tulip, Hank, Lucy, and Petals.

  • Sally

    Birthday: August 2017

    Rescued: October 2022

    We were contacted by a neighbor in Owen County about a pig who was left behind when folks moved away. There had been two pigs, but one had since disappeared. People were throwing firecrackers at the little remaining pig and encouraging their dogs to chase her. From what we could gather, the pig had been on her own for six weeks or more.

    Our team sprung into action. The pig would not let anyone get close to her (she was rightfully afraid of humans at this point). So, we used a large humane trap to bring her back to PEAK. Sally was set up in quarantine and right away seemed to know she was safe—burrowing deep in the straw and enjoying watermelon most of all! Now Sally spends her days in or near the Main Barn. Her best friend is Boss Lady Lily, our resident turkey leader!

  • Sue

    Birthday: July 2016

    Rescued: February 2017

    Sue was born on a small pig farm in Kentucky. She was surrendered to PEAK when one of the humans raising to become “meat” decided she was worth of being saved; Sue was bottle fed and the farmers saw her irrepressible personality. Sue is a Berkshire and Landrace mix.

    Sue comes sprinting when you call her name and is so curious about other beings. Since Sue was raised by humans and not in a herd of pigs, it took her time to learning how to be a pig.

    Not long after arriving at PEAK, Sue forced Lucy to be her BFF and Lucy insisted on teaching Sue how to live Sanctuary Life. Sue is closely bonded to Tulip as well. She enjoys affection and belly rubs and can be quite sassy; Sue has been known to chase volunteers to make sure they understand their place at PEAK!

  • Tulip

    Birthday: February 2014

    Rescued: December 2014

    Tulip (Tu-Tu) was born on a factory farm in NW Illinois. Tulip is a traditional farm pig and a Meishan mix–a breed that originates from China. Due to her growth rate being slower than average Tulip, along with 97 other piglets, were slated to be killed at just a few weeks old. (Animal agriculture has very specific algorithms on who will reach market weight when, who is worth the “investment” of resources and when an individual is no longer going to produce profit.) Fortunately, a caring group of people stepped in and saved the piglets.

    When Tulip arrived at PEAK she was very depressed and scared. After a short time, she was introduced to another pig, Lucy, who since has become her very best friend. The two have such a close bond. Now, their family has grown to include Sue, Hank, Petals, Potter and Pip. Tulip is one of the most gentle and peaceful beings we have ever met. She lives for a good belly rub! And is the leader of her group.