Although Todd Friedman was working on starting a pig sanctuary, he did not expect it to start so suddenly when he found an abandoned pig, Arthur, while touring what would become the site of his sanctuary. Arthur was left by the previous owners who ran a slaughterhouse on the property, but he will now live out the rest of his days in peace on the land he was expected to die on.
That rescue took place nearly six years ago, and Arthur’s Acres Animal Sanctuary in Parksville has since grown to house 44 pigs, 16 chickens, six cats, three dogs and a pond of bullfrogs. Friedman, volunteer and founder of the sanctuary, said he is not quite sure what it is that draws him to pigs but knows they are a special animal.
“When I look at them, they just do something to me,” Friedman said. “They just really feed my soul. I see something in them that just...I don’t know..”
He said pigs are widely misunderstood animals, saying people are often impressed to learn how clean and intelligent they are when they visit the farm.
Unfortunately, misinformation about pigs is the reason why many of the residents ended up at the sanctuary, Friedman said. He said many breeders advertise their baby pigs as “teacup” pigs or “micro-mini” pigs, which are not actual breeds of pig. After spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a pig that was advertised to grow to only 30 pounds, buyers are soon dealing with a 200-pound animal that they cannot properly provide for.
“You have a better chance of buying a unicorn than you do a teacup pig,” Friedman said. “It does not exist. There is no healthy pig at 30 pounds. It’s not a thing.”
Arthur’s Acres Sanctuary only takes in pigs who would be especially difficult to rehome, such as those with disabilities or special medical needs. While this ensures that these pigs get the care that they need, it also ensures that the sanctuary is consistently racking up vet bills at Cornell University’s Nemo Farm Animal Hospital.
Friedman said they are able to cover all medical services, feed, farm supplies and other sanctuary expenses entirely through donations, including their $203,000 bill from the Cornell animal hospital for 2023. Friedman attributed these donations not to big donors, but to many small donations, with the average donation they receive being $10.
Many of these donations come from their social media audience as the sanctuary has hundreds of thousands of followers from around the world on their Facebook, YouTube and Instagram pages. Friedman connects these followers to the sanctuary and their mission by going live on each page every night with the pigs and other animals. The sanctuary also makes frequent posts so followers can keep up with their favorite residents.
“We call it ‘Arthur’s Acres Village’... so that’s what our followers are called, the village, because we truly believe it takes a village,” Friedman said.
The sanctuary offers many ways for people to support the farm including their sanctuary shop which has sanctuary merchandise, books about their pigs, and even their own sanctuary-scented candle. People who want a more personal experience with the sanctuary can buy personalized video messages from Friedman and their favorite residents, work as volunteers or get tours of the sanctuary. Friedman offers both in-person and virtual tours all year long.
During each private tour of up to five people, visitors will get to meet each resident, spend time with the pigs, learn about pigs and learn how they are mistreated by various industries. Many visitors find themselves connecting with a particular pig, Friedman said, and end up spending most of the tour hanging out with their new four-legged friend.
Friedman said he hopes people walk away from their experience at Arthur’s Acres with a new compassion for animals. He said they have yet to have someone come to the property without it making them reconsider how pigs, or animals in general, are treated.
“We’ve had hunters and fishers that come on the property that are just blown away,” Friedman said, “that they didn’t know a place like this existed, that this is the way animals act because a lot of what we’ve learned is wrong.”
People who are interested in supporting the sanctuary, booking a tour or learning more about the residents can visit arthursacresanimalsanctuary.org or find them on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
