Ironwood Pig Sanctuary facts for kids
The Ironwood Pig Sanctuary is a special place for pigs! It's a non-profit sanctuary located in Pinal County, Arizona, near the town of Marana. This is about 30 miles from Tucson. The sanctuary's main goal is to help pigs that have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. It's a safe home for them. Today, almost 600 pigs live happily on 80 acres of land.
Contents
About the Sanctuary
Who Started It?
The Ironwood Pig Sanctuary was created by a husband and wife, Ben Watkins and Mary Schanz. They are both retired. Before starting the sanctuary, Mary Schanz worked in medicine and was very active in helping animals. They opened the sanctuary in June 2001, and the first two pigs arrived then.
Why So Many Pigs?
The sanctuary's founders explain why there are so many pigs needing help. In the 1980s and 1990s, many people became interested in Vietnamese pot bellied pigs as pets. However, some pig breeders didn't tell customers how big these pigs would actually get. Many people ended up with full-grown pigs that were much larger than they expected. Because of this, many families couldn't care for the pigs anymore, and they needed a new home.
Life at the Sanctuary
Daily Life for the Pigs
The pigs at the sanctuary can weigh up to 250 pounds! They love to spend their days in wading pools and mud baths. These are built right on the property. Each pig gets a healthy meal every day, which includes two cups of grain and some hay.
Pig Health and Care
When pigs first arrive at the sanctuary, many are overweight. The staff helps them get healthy by putting them on a special diet. Some pigs also arrive with serious health issues. The dedicated staff and volunteers work hard to care for all the pigs.
The weather in Arizona can be very hot in summer and cold in winter. To keep the pigs comfortable, volunteers and staff have built many structures. These buildings keep the pigs warm when it's cold. They also have lots of shade areas, wallows, and wading pools to help the pigs stay cool during the hot summer months.
Supporting the Sanctuary
How the Sanctuary is Funded
The Ironwood Pig Sanctuary relies on donations to keep running. People who want to help can also "adopt" a pig for a small fee. This helps cover the costs of food and care. Supporters have even sold stuffed toy pigs to raise money for the sanctuary's important work.
Staying Connected
The sanctuary publishes a newsletter called Ironwood Pig Sanctuary News every two months. This newsletter shares updates about the sanctuary. It often introduces new pigs that have arrived and talks about improvements being made to the facilities.
