Sanctuary that rescued a pig from slaughter seeks help
A sanctuary in Berlin Center that saved a hog from slaughter after it fell off a truck, now needs some saving itself. At Rebel Rescue Ranch, there is no shortage of animals. Some of the residents include goats, pigeons, rabbits, a one-and-a-half-year-old rescue pet turkey, ducks, and plenty of surrendered pets.
"If an animal crosses my path I am going to help it, and give it a better life," says Amy Rigby, founder of Rebel Rescue Ranch.
But the non-profit needs help to continue the ranch's mission. This includes building some new stalls for their six pigs.
Many people buy the pigs as pets when they are small and easier to take care of, but when they get large they need more space and room to root around.
That's how the Ranch ended up with Maggie, a 350-pound hog a pet who was surrendered to the sanctuary.
Maggie, a force to be reckoned with, Rigby says, is very protective over their newest occupant Honey Bee. Honey Bee is the pig who fell off a truck around the North Jackson area, on the Ohio Turnpike, about one month ago, and thereby avoided slaughter.
Rebel Rescue Ranch says the pig almost didn't survive, but is thriving now.
"For about two days I didn't think she was going to make it. I laid in the stall with her and I fed her donuts, anything I could get her to eat because she wasn't going to eat. She was kind of giving up," Rigby says of Honey Bee's first few days at the ranch. "Maggie who is young, not even two years old yet, is like a gorilla. She is a force. Honey Bee, is more towards the end of her life, and she has frail bones. I don't want Maggie accidentally running into her or plowing her over, and hurting her, so again it's all about the safety of the aminals more than anything right now."
Rebel Ranch Rescue needs sponsors, and donations of gift cards from Tractor Supply, Home Depot, Lowes, and WalMart to help feed the rescued pets. The nonprofit is also in need of volunteers and experienced grant writers.
Links to donate can be found at rebelrescueranch.com
Also, Orange Avacado in Boardman is selling special limited edition juice to raise money to help build the new pig pens.
The sanctuary will also post a pig podcast on Facebook on Tuesday, April 9th.
