Ellie’s Furcast: Alaska potbelly pig rescue

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – In 2007, Sheila Pontier obtained her first pig and she or he by no means regarded again.

Now, Pointer runs a pig rescue, working tirelessly to offer the pigs she rescues a greater life and discover them perpetually households.

“Pigs are one thing particular and after getting a pig you don’t need the rest,” mentioned Pontier, the Govt Director of Alaska Potbelly Pig Rescue.

What began as a rescue on her private property in Wasilla has now significantly expanded. She now has two places, her home and land in Wasilla, and a farm that sits on 55 acres of land in Large Lake. Pontier wakes up each morning at 4 a.m. and drives out to the Large Lake location the place she cleans, feeds, waters, and makes positive all her pigs are joyful. Then she drives again to her Wasilla location to begin the method throughout. Whereas it looks like she’s Superwoman, Pontier says she’s all the time in want of extra assist.

“It’s so essential to have volunteers out. If it’s to not clear, it’s simply to sit down and rub them, give them a stomach rub,” Pontier mentioned.

Whereas these farms are pig heaven, Pontier is all the time looking out for adopters.

“We completely do undertake them out, there’s an software and a house verify required. I ask a number of questions and I’m not afraid to inform you no as a result of the very last thing I would like is for them to return again,” Pontier mentioned. “The entire household must be on board. If in case you have canines, pigs and canines don’t all the time get alongside.”

It’s simple to take a look at a tiny piglet and need to wrap them up in a blanket and take them residence, it’s essential to do not forget that these animals don’t stay small.

“In case you’re frightened about dimension, in case you’re frightened about them ruining your home or your garden, it’s not the appropriate animal for you. You should do a ton of analysis,” Pontier mentioned. “They’re extremely good, they’re like as good as a 4 or five-year-old and typically I swear even smarter.”

And whereas we’ve all seen the advertisements for little teacup pigs, Pontier says they by no means keep that dimension.

“There’s no such factor as a micro pig, a nano pig, or a pocket pig, these are all advertising and marketing gimmicks,” Pontier mentioned. “What you see is a child pig that’s perhaps two or three days previous, perhaps per week or two on the most.”

As for volunteers, Pontier says that anybody ought to textual content her straight at 907-232-2880. Moreover, if in case you have any spare blankets or huge bowls mendacity round, Pontier says they’re all the time in want.

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