Editorial Note: This is part of a series that profiles the recipients of Lady Freethinker’s Urgent Need Fund 2024 grant program. The program was created to support nonprofit organizations involved in animal rescue and care, and those that promote better treatment of animals. If you’re interested in learning more about the program, click here.
Kristin Hartness, president of Ziggy’s Refuge Farm Sanctuary, adopted Ziggy the pig in 2010 while she was living in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Shortly after, she met her partner, Jay Yontz, who would become Ziggy’s father and the sanctuary’s vice president.
Ziggy’s parents quickly discovered that the little pig they adopted wasn’t going to stay small — and that the name “mini pig” is a misleading term coined by breeders which frequently results in animals being given up once they mature. He grew to nearly 300 pounds, and in 2014, the trio moved back to the U.S. and began traveling the country in an RV.
During their travels, they volunteered at many animal sanctuaries and saw how people’s attitudes about eating pigs and exploiting animals changed after meeting Ziggy. With this revelation, Kristin and Jay decided to open Ziggy’s Refuge Farm Sanctuary in 2016 in North Carolina.
Ziggy, Jay, and Pugs (Courtesy of Ziggy’s Refuge Farm Sanctuary)
“Our goal for Ziggy’s Refuge was to replicate this effect on others by helping them, for the first time, to get to know farmed animals as individuals,” Yontz told Lady Freethinker.
Ziggy’s Refuge is unique because many farmed animals they rescue are disabled. They’ve had residents with spina bifida, amputated legs, missing eyes, and a variety of other disabilities. Many times, the disabilities came as a result of the abuse they endured.
“No matter how many times we witness an animal overcome their horrific treatment, we are always inspired by their resilience, will to live, and their ability to forgive humans despite their abuse,” Yontz said.
Goat With An Eye Missing (Courtesy of Ziggy’s Refuge Farm Sanctuary)
Lady Freethinker recently awarded Ziggy’s Refuge a $10,000 grant to expand an enclosure for nine pigs rescued from an animal hoarding case.
“This grant will allow us to build a larger and more secure area for them to live and thrive,” Yontz added.
This grant would not have been possible without the help of our generous supporters. We thank you for enabling us to help this fantastic organization.
To learn more and support Ziggy’s Refuge Farm Sanctuary, please visit their website.
