������Ƶ

Big Love: Neglected pigs find solace in each other

The day after Valentine Day, Eve met Adam. A week later, it appears these potbellied pigs were made for each other.

Following up on a report of an abandoned pig living under a vacant trailer in Manchester Township, cruelty investigators from the Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) arrived to find 182-pound Adam, an 8-year-old pot-bellied pig. Likely due to construction on the trailer, Adam was covered in insulation—and looked to be in rough shape.

After several creative attempts to get Adam to come out from under the trailer, HSHV investigators succeeded in pulling the abandoned pig to safety, and brought him back to HSHV for medical assessment and treatment. His severely overgrown tusks had caused mouth sores and even pierced through his lip.

HSHV located and contacted Adam previous owner who said he was unable to continue to care for him.

“Adam was a sickly shade of yellow because of the insulation,” says Naomi Smith, HSHV Cruelty Investigator. “And it was making his eyes water incessantly. But our staff got him all cleaned up, trimmed his hooves and tusks, and hand fed him his own special diet.”

“He slightly overweight,” Smith explains. “Fortunately, Eve doesn’t seem to notice.”

Eve, a 3-year-old pot-bellied pig weighing about 200 pounds, was living on a poor diet of scraps and pastries before being rescued by SASHA Farm (Sanctuary and Safe Haven for Animals). And on Wednesday, February 15, Adam met Eve.

“We’d been looking for a friend for Eve,” says Mitch Goldsmith at SASHA Farm. “They all have their own personalities, and she was too submissive and didn’t get along with our other group of pot-bellies.”

Eve instantly took to Adam, following him around the yard. For the past week, they’ve been eating together and sleeping together in the same hut. “Though it platonic,” jokes Smith. “Adam is castrated.”

“We’re monitoring their relationship,” says Goldsmith, “And right now, it looks like love at first sight.”

������Ƶ SASHA Farm:

SASHA Farm is the Midwest largest farm animal sanctuary. At our shelter, not only do we provide food and water, veterinary care and a roof over their heads, we also give the animal residents affection, social interaction with others of their own species, and a sense of security. The sanctuary currently shelters over 200 animals, each with its own story to tell. Some were dumped and discarded, some left to die. They have come from unhappy circumstances, often mistreated or neglected, but now have a safe, permanent home at SASHA Farm. We’re a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization; donations made to SASHA Farm are tax deductible, and all donations are used to ensure good quality care for our animals, both now and into the future. See more at

������Ƶ The Humane Society of Huron Valley:

The Humane Society of Huron Valley, located in Ann Arbor, is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and relies solely on the generosity of our supporters to provide critical community programs and services. HSHV is an award-winning organization, recognized for our best practices and highest animal “save-rate” among all similar shelters in Michigan. Charity Navigator, the nation’s top charity evaluator, awarded HSHV a 4-star ranking, the highest possible. The mission of HSHV is to promote the loving, responsible care of all animals in our community. HSHV is not affiliated with any other humane organization and does not receive funding from the United Way. More information can be found on HSHV website () and on our annual report ().

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.