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
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
With DNA break, police ID victim in decades-old Newfoundland case
A skull was found along a backroad near St. John's more than 20 years ago. Now, police have finally identified the victim of the homicide.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Trudeau must more publicly support ICC decisions amid Israel-Hamas war: ex-ministers
A group of prominent former politicians and current academics is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to change his tone on the possibility of arrest warrants for senior Israeli leaders.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Defence industry, allies call for Canada to increase military investments
Canada's announcement of an $11.2-billion contract to improve training platforms for the military is getting a lukewarm reception at the country's largest defence trade show, as allies and military industry companies want to see more investment from the federal government.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing plan defeated in House of Commons
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing bill has been defeated in the House of Commons with the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois voting against the legislation.