RB

RB’s Story: From Days Away from Slaughter to Sanctuary Life

In early January, we received a call that would change one pig’s life forever.

A kind woman in Chattanooga kept seeing a pig wandering onto her property. Something about the situation didn’t feel right, and instead of ignoring it, she started asking questions and trying to find help. That persistence led to a desperate phone call asking if someone could step in before it was too late.

That pig was RB.

At the time, RB was just days away from slaughter. Thanks to someone caring enough to speak up, he made his way to Flying Pigs Sanctuary, where he is now safe and will live the rest of his life surrounded by love.

When RB arrived, we discovered he had fresh cuts on his hindquarters from a backyard neuter. The procedure had been done without anesthesia and in an unsterile environment. Despite the pain and stress he had endured, RB greeted the world with a gentle spirit.

And once you meet him, you immediately understand why everyone who has helped him along the way has fallen in love.

RB is incredibly kind, curious, and shockingly clever. He learns quickly, comes running to the fence when he sees people approaching, and has already mastered one of his favorite sanctuary skills — cuddling deep into fresh straw and giving kisses.

For now, RB is settling into his new life and meeting the other pigs safely through the fence line. Pig introductions take time, patience, and careful planning to prevent injuries, so these early weeks are all about building familiarity and trust before he eventually joins the herd.

One of the most special parts of RB’s rescue is the community that has formed around him. The woman who first spoke up still receives regular updates, and the family that helped foster him is completely smitten. Even Amy’s mom, who was in the car when the call first came in, now checks on RB daily after seeing firsthand what frontline rescue really looks like.

It only takes one person speaking up to change a life — and RB is proof of that.

His initial veterinary care, including bloodwork at the University of Tennessee, cost over $200, and ongoing care, food, enrichment, and habitat maintenance are part of what allows RB to live the safe, happy life he deserves.

This is where you come in.

By becoming RB’s monthly sponsor, you help ensure that his second chance continues for the rest of his life. Your support provides nutritious food, medical care, safe shelter, and the enrichment that allows pigs like RB to truly thrive.

Most importantly, sponsorship helps us keep saying yes when the next urgent call comes in.

RB was days away from slaughter. Today, he spends his mornings cuddling in straw, running to greet his caregivers, and learning that humans can be kind.

And thanks to supporters like you, that’s exactly how the rest of his life will look.