One of our very earliest Unity rescues is Penny Blossom Pig.
She is an American Yorkshire Pig, the most common breed type for factory farming and commercial settings. Her ears were cut in a coded pattern at birth, to allow the farm manager to identify the sow and farrowing crate for her. She was very sick as a tiny neonate, and was given to the vet tech when the farm did not think she would survive for long. Yet her size and weakness actually saved her - her littermates were already doomed to be processed young.
Survive she did.
Once Penny approached six months of age, she was too big to stay with the vet tech, and they chose Unity Farm Sanctuary.
She has lived at times with Lunchbox and Tofu, even Hazel Marie!
Recently, she lived with Danny Boy, Osa, Doug, Nellie and Amelia.
Penny Blossom has been treated for skin cancer in the past two years, a common issue in older sanctuary pink pigs. She is receiving regular cryotherapy for the skin cancer at the Nemo Farm Animal Hospital at Cornell University. Scans show that she does not appear to have metastatic cancer, thankfully. At 9 and a half she is doing pretty well!
This fall she had a hoof abscess, and that was drained and treated at Cornell. Unfortunately, as an older pig, she did not successfully reintegrate with her herd when she got back to the Sanctuary, and in the tussle, she became lame in her rear. Thankfully scans at her next Cornell trip showed a soft tissue injury and we have treated that (no bone breaks).
The Pig Hoof Lift that so many people contributed to for its purchase has helped Penny stay 'fit on her feet'. She lives in our Healing Haven Barn now, and is very comfortable!
It is not enough to simply rescue and accept surrenders. We must provide a good quality of life with proper care and enrichment - and love. When a rescue is suffering, we know when to say farewell with kindness and compassion.
Penny has been beloved since the vet tech was able to save her 9 years ago, and she is truly a big personality who has lived a happy life. We love you Penny Blossom.
