Based in Britain, the Viva! and Dean Farm Animal Sanctuary promotes animal welfare and vegan eating. The group pioneered “vegan roadshows” to encourage people to change their diets. They’ve gone underground to expose conditions at factory farms. Viva! and Dean also provides a home for rescued farm animals.
This brings us to a mother pig named Hope Apple Blossom and her six piglets. They were rescued from a factory farm where they faced certain slaughter. The people who rescued them were eager to see how they’d react to being allowed outdoors for the first time. They certainly weren’t disappointed! Juliet Gellatley, the founder of the sanctuary, described her porcine friends’ first taste of real freedom: “This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. Little piglets and mama are outside! Yaaay! Just came straight out, exploring everything. She’s such a good mum. She calls for them and they run straight back to her then they come out, running around having a jolly good time. It’s just my dream come true.”
It was gray and windy with a threat of rain, normal weather for Wales, in other words. But this didn’t stop Hope Apple Blossom and her piglets. They were running around all over the place, frolicking with joy. Who knew pigs could be so active? They also had a chance to root around in the dirt and meet other farm animals while exploring their little piece of the Welsh countryside.
We’ve posted a video about these wonderful rescue pigs. You won’t believe how much they’re enjoying the simple act of going out for some fresh air.
What are your thoughts about animal welfare? Are vegan advocates like Viva! and Dean too extreme or are they on to something? Aside from all that, how did you like the piglets? Let us know in the Facebook comments. Be sure to like and share!
