Pigs Rescued

another heartwarming story

Rescue of Pigs Stranded on Levee a Success!

American Humane has returned from flood-stricken Oakville, Iowa, bearing exciting news! Along with our partners -- the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Farm Sanctuary and the Animal Rescue League of Boston -- our team successfully rescued more than 60 starving pigs that had been stranded on a levee without food, fresh drinking water or protection from the sun.

According to a firsthand report from Debrah Schnackenberg, American Humane’s director of Animal Emergency Services, “All of the pigs are now headed to a sanctuary for farm animals or to adoptive homes for the rest of their days, leaving their experience as levee ‘castaways’ far behind them.”

Debrah’s report also includes this incredible account of a pig smart enough to shelter herself from the sun:

On the long journey down the levee the team noted the location of a pig they had nicknamed “bucket head” because she was lying on the side of the levee with her head in a kitchen garbage can in order to protect her bleeding ears from the hot sun and biting flies…She was sleeping peacefully with her head inside her “bucket”…The team diligently surrounded her and walked her with pig panels to the waiting livestock hauler, where everyone applauded the successful effort.

Read Debrah’s full report of the amazing rescue.

If you were one of the caring donors who helped fund the Midwest pig rescue, thank you! Saving these highly intelligent animals from a cruel death and readying them for transport to a safe new home took compassion and teamwork from everyone involved.

As thrilled as we are to have completed this critical rescue operation, the Midwest floods could be just one of many disasters animals face this summer. Your donation today will help ensure that American Humane is ready to respond to the next crisis that puts animals in harm’s way.

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