When a scoundrel abandoned approximately 150 captive-raised pigs on a rural road near San Diego in 2022, locals feared the worst for the animals.
Fortunately, many of them were rescued, and NBC 7 recently caught up with two piglets and their mother, Wendi, who are now thriving at a local ranch. Their endearing looks and playful antics are helping raise funds for over 100 other rescued animals like them.
Today, Mesa, Grande, and Wendi enjoy their days indulging in food and wallowing in mud, just as any happy pig should, at the Little Bitty Animal Shelter. This shelter was one of several local rescues that stepped up to help after the pigs were abandoned.
To this day, neither community members nor the police have discovered who dumped the pigs on the hazardous Mesa Grande road, or why it happened. While some pigs didn’t survive and others went feral, more than 50 were saved and taken in to live what is likely a far better life.
“Every time we spend time with them, it feels rewarding,” said Ryan Valverde, co-owner of Little Bitty Animal Shelter, alongside his wife. “If someone went through the effort to abandon them, it’s likely they weren’t living in good conditions beforehand.”