Pig Rescue in Fayette

The Seneca County SPCA had an unusual and memorable large animal rescue in Fayette. The Emergency Rescue Team was called to the scene of a factory pig farm where they had been alerted to the abuse of a pregnant breeding pig.

As the factory farm workers tried to move her from a small gestation crate to a farrowing pen to give birth, she was kicked, beaten, and burned with an electrified cattle prod across the entire length of her body. After the animal finally collapsed, workers dragged her by her ears into the crate.

When the recue arrived on the scene and opened Julia’s crate, she reluctantly got to her feet. But they report, “Her eyes stayed fixed on us — looking from face to face as if she expected to be hit or kicked at any moment. The abusive worker referred to her as “feisty.”

Just eight hours after Julia arrived at our New York Shelter, the sow gave birth to 16 premature piglets. Farmsancutary.org is now caring for the rescued mother and her 16 preemies.

To help provide around-the-clock care during this critical time, a dedicated Farm Sanctuary supporter has offered to match dollar-for-dollar any contribution made to the organization’s Emergency Rescue Fund. Your matched donation will be worth twice as much and will support this rescue and future rescues, as well as the ongoing and lifelong care of these animals and others like them.

The local SPCA lists several groups of heroes here who worked very hard for Julia that day, including the man that was brave enough to alert others to Julia’s story who could help her. New York State Troopers from Waterloo Barracks for played a major role in the rescue of Julia, and Cornell Veterinary Hospital assisted with treating and caring for Julia.