Willow arrived at the Animal Rescue League’s Second Chance Ranch severely overweight and with overgrown hooves. She also needed some behavioral help.
Willow the potbellied pig arrived at the Animal Rescue League’s Second Chance Ranch severely overweight and with overgrown hooves. It was difficult for her to walk or even stand up. Veterinarians determined she needed to lose 50-plus pounds to return to a healthy weight and help her feel better, and our Second Chance Ranch team could also see that she needed some extra help behaviorally.
With the kindhearted help of the ARL and supporters like you, Willow is living her best life on a farm with a family who loves her.
Our team put her on a healthy diet, trimmed 2 to 3 inches off her hooves and worked with her for months, helping her to become more active and learn to trust. As she began to feel better and gain confidence, Willow opened up more and more. As time went by, we found that she was very smart and a lot of fun! She loved being scratched with her favorite horse brush and patrolling our barn. She also enjoyed the challenges—and rewards!—of puzzle toys.
Once Willow was ready for adoption, we talked to a lot of potential adopters about her, but we just weren’t finding the right fit…until we got a call from a family looking for a friend for their current pet pig.
Willow fits in with her new family perfectly and enjoys a pampered life.
The family came to visit, and they had an instant connection. Willow is now living a very pampered life on her family’s farm. She has a stall of her own and large pasture to roam in. Her family said she is loving the fall acorns. She and her pig friend, Bubba, are doing well, too. Her family said she fits in so perfectly that it’s like she has always lived there.
Your support makes stories of recovery like Willow’s possible. Thanks to you, we were able to be there for Willow when she needed us…and for as long as she needed us. Now she is living the happy, healthy, love-filled life she has always deserved, and it’s all because of you.
There are so many ways you can change the lives of pets in need like Willow in our community. To learn about all the opportunities, please contact Lora Rogers at (515) 473-9119 or legacy@arl-iowa.org.