why rescue pigs?
who we are
Deep in the heart of Texas, we're home to almost 200 pigs, some big, some small, all amazing and unique individuals. All of our pigs were rescued from abuse, abandonment, neglect, slaughter, and animal testing. Most of them are medically special needs, and many are behaviorally challenged. Gaining the trust of pigs in our care is the most rewarding part of what we do; by providing safety and love, we're able to watch them grow in confidence, learn true joy, and become their truest selves. We're also home to 2 goats, 4 donkeys, 2 cats, and 6 chickens.
We also provide support to pig parents through behavioral consultations to help them develop better relationships with the pig in their family.
Our duty is to disrupt the pig paradigm that results in them being seen as food, commodities, bred and starved to be "micro pigs," tested on, and under-appreciated in the scope of the animal world. People ask us all the time: why pigs? We hope that if you spend a little bit of time with us, you'll be able to answer that for yourself.
Our Mission…
…is to create a pig-positive world. Through rescue, rehabilitation, and sanctuary, our goal is to keep our pigs happy, healthy, safe, and enriched to live out their natural lives. By sharing their stories, we aim to achieve global impact to help evolve the relationship between pigs and their world. We are stewards of farmed animals, purveyors of compassion, and tireless advocates for the just and honest treatment of pigs as our companions on this earth.
but why a pig rescue?
It's a question that we're asked all the time, and every time feels more surprising than the last. Why NOT rescue pigs? Pigs are some of the most abundant yet misunderstood animals on the planet. Whether they're raised as commodities and food, or even adopted into a loving home, people with even the best intentions struggle to build trust and provide proper care for pigs. In the world of pigs, there is much work to be done.
Pigs are smart and emotional, just like us. In fact, we've found that the more time you spend with pigs, the better you understand people! It takes a lot of work to build and maintain trust with a pig. They have the intellectual depth of a human toddler, so they can begin to reason, hold grudges, solve puzzles, and anticipate future events based on patterns. Pigs value their social hierarchy greatly, and within a pen or family, everyone in their life fits into a ladder structure. A pig who is confident in his or her social standing is a happy pig!
CTPR BY THE NUMBERS
$29,217
2019 medical bills
45
Members of our Volunteer Animal Care Team
$6500
Routine monthly costs like feed, hay, straw, and water
175
Adoptions to forever homes & rehoming assists
15,000 LBS
Of monthly feed
199
Pig residents, plus 4 donkeys, 2 goats, 2 cats, and 6 chickens
established 2016.
CTPR began with the intention of solving a simple problem: so many pig parents were making the same mistakes and working through the same gaps in understanding that Founder Dan Illescas experienced with his first pig, Eleanor. Those mistakes and misunderstandings contribute to the majority of pig abandonment cases. Dan hoped for CTPR to be a place of coming together for pig parents, but quickly found that the demand for sanctuary is tremendous as well.
Over the years, CTPR has evolved into a community of dozens of Animal Caretakers, an advocacy group, purveyors of pig-themed education & fun in the Austin area, and continues to evolve in vision and practice to do the most good for pigs everywhere.
