Rosie's Rescue needs help saving pig sanctuary in Leduc County
What started with giving a couple of pigs a home on their rural property in Leduc County in 2019, has grown into a sanctuary called Rosie's Rescue.
"What we do is we rescue and rehabilitate the pigs from whichever situations they could be, neglect situations, abuse. Or they could simply just be somebody has to move for whatever life circumstances have thrown at them," said Angela Pauls, the rescue's founder.
While the focus is primarily on pigs, the rescue did give homes to a few other animals, and even opened to the public during the pandemic.
"We were booked for six months solid," Pauls said. "It became very popular.
One of several pigs cared for by Rosie's Rescue in Leduc County. (Amanda Anderson/CTV News Edmonton)
"People are looking for something fun and it's also really good for our mental health being outside, being in the sunshine most days and spending time with the animals."
Several pigs in the care of Rosie's Rescue in Leduc County. (Amanda Anderson/CTV News Edmonton)
Over the past four years, Pauls has rescued at least 60 animals.
"And probably rehomed more than half of them," she said.
Two of the pigs currently living at the rescue belong to Logan Baxter, who wasn't allowed to keep them where she lived.
"There's not a lot of places if you had to surrender an animal that you can still visit, they would still be considered yours," Baxter said.
"For me, the pigs are just, they're so cuddly and they've got such wonderful personalities," said Baxter. "A lot of people just don't realize how calming it is to have a pig beside you."
Logan Baxter visits her two pigs at Rosie's Rescue. (Amanda Anderson/CTV News Edmonton)
She visits them as often as possible and has even started volunteering around the sanctuary.
"Anything that Miss Angela needs, I try my hardest to do for her, because what she's doing for me is going way beyond," said Baxter.
But the non-profit dedicated to rescuing animals is now in need of rescue itself.
"Our landlords are wonderful," said Pauls. "But they would like to sell the property this year."
Pauls wants to buy it but said coming up with the down payment has been difficult.
"Times are tough and sponsorships are down, but we would really love to be able to buy our property," said Pauls.
She said when donations dry up, any extra they could have saved towards the down payment instead goes to making sure the animals needs are met.
One of several pigs cared for by Rosie's Rescue in Leduc County. (Amanda Anderson/CTV News Edmonton)
To achieve their goal of making the property a permanent home for the sanctuary, Pauls hopes more people will consider adopting or sponsoring an animal.
"Our sponsorship program is $30 a month, and you can send that by e-transfer," she said.
"Then if you're local, we encourage you to come up and visit your sponsor pig as often as you would like."
An updated list of animals available for adoption or sponsorship will be put on the rescue's website in the near future.
Their most recent rescue, a pig named Wilbur, is one of the animals that people can sponsor.
He's only a few months old, was underweight and had mange when he was rescued.
A photo of Wilbur the pig taken when he arrived at Rosie's Rescue. (Source: Angela Pauls)
"Unfortunately the family that had him didn't treat him, so Wilbur has no hair right now," said Pauls. "When we got him, he was suffering from pneumonia and a strep virus, he has dermatitis."
After a month at the rescue the young pig is thriving.
"He has tripled his weight already, he's got a great appetite and he's so, so friendly," she said.
Wilbur the pig a month after arriving at Rosie's Rescue. (Amanda Anderson/CTV News Edmonton)
Pauls hopes an increase in animal sponsorships will allow them to save the nearly $50,000 needed.
If they can't save it by July, Pauls said it's unclear what will happen to Rosie's Rescue.
"I don't even know where we would go," she said.
"Relocating this many animals is going to be really difficult."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there’s a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
Three people shot to death in tiny South Dakota town; former mayor charged
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
'Irrefutable evidence': integrity commissioner finds Parole Board member sexually harassed 'several' employees
There is 'irrefutable evidence' a member of the Parole Board of Canada sexually harassed multiple employees, without adequate disciplinary action from management, according to a report by Canada's Public Sector Integrity Commissioner.
'Son of Sam' killer Berkowitz denied parole in 12th attempt
'Son of Sam' killer David Berkowitz, who set New York City on edge with late-night shootings in the 1970s, was denied parole after his twelfth board appearance.