Two Gottingen pigs — Bleu Boi and Rumplestiltskin — have been released from a lab and made a new home at a sanctuary in California thanks to the joint efforts of Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), New Life Animal Sanctuary (NLAS), and Friends of Ferdinand (FoF), as announced by ALDF in a press release.
After weeks of planning, ALDF and NLAS succeeded in orchestrating the pigs’ release from the lab where they were being kept. “Operation Oink” saw the little pink pigs traveling roughly 1,000 miles over the course of two days to their new home — funded by ALDF — to the FoF sanctuary in Jacumba, Calif. according to FoF.
The boys arrived at FoF in the middle of the night, but quickly settled into their new home — and their newfound freedom.
“Bleu Boi and Rumplestiltskin are safe and enjoying mud, dirt and sun,“ Friends of Ferdinand posted in an update on Instagram. “Yesterday with 60mph winds, I found the Boiz running around in the wind. I did not have my phone on me to capture the moment. It was magical!”
Sadly, Gottingen pigs like Blue Boi and Rumplestiltskin are used in research labs because they have exceptionally gentle temperaments. Unfortunately, their sweet nature and tiny stature also make them easy to control — and they’re often subjected to excruciatingly painful invasive experiments when used in research. Like most animals used as experimental subjects, pigs are typically killed when researchers decide they have no more use for them — which is why it’s so amazing that these pigs were saved.
“Based on what we know about animals used in research, these two pigs have been experimented on for much of their lives at the expense of their psychological and physical well-being,” Animal Legal Defense Fund Executive Director Chris Green said. “We are thrilled to support these two precious beings as they transition to a new phase of life filled with joy, enrichment, and proper care.”
Bleu Boi and Rumplestiltskin (Courtesy of Animal Legal Defense Fund)
Lady Freethinker applauds the Animal Legal Defense Fund and New Life Sanctuary for helping release Bleu Boi and Rumplestiltskin from a painful life as lab animals — and Friends of Ferdinand for welcoming the boys to their safe home at the sanctuary.
