We got a call from an officer from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture who was on her way to an abuse and neglect case involving “exotics” in super rural East Tennessee. There were two pigs on the property, and she educated me that when farmed animals are involved, the only person who can “certify” abuse and neglect is someone from the Department of Ag. Think about it. Farmed animals are part of the food chain, and the standards for humane care are extremely low. The Department of Ag can’t shut down every backyard farmer who is growing animals under filthy conditions, which is the norm. Getting farmed animals seized in East Tennessee is NOT something that happens everyday. Laws are practically nonexistent, and there aren’t officers to enforce them. Even worse, most people don’t really care what their neighbors are doing with animals around here. To be reported for something is pretty darn rare.
The officer told me she knew we had been willing to help previously, and she was hoping to have an outlet to help these pigs she was heading out to investigate. She texted me from the scene when she arrived, and it was pretty much what we’d expected. A male and a female breeding pair in terrible conditions. The owners were agreeing to surrender animals to the authorities rather than be prosecuted, which is often the case. Laws are very forgiving to abusers of all varieties. But where will those pigs go if they are surrendered to the officer? You got it… they become Sanctuary Babes.
The officer transported Moonshine and his companion, Mimi, straight to the University of Tennessee for assessment and vet care. Moonshine, who is an older male (and was thankfully already neutered), seems to love visitors. He is already charming everyone with his toothy grin… and is also happy to have his sunscreen applied everyday. He and Mimi have joined Eppah and Frances in their home in the MedBarn Neighborhood.
This is why we are here! In Washington, we made a name for ourselves working with authorities on cases like this, and a vast majority of our animals came in because we helped in scenarios where the animals had no options. They were usually filthy, unaltered, unsocialized, and seemingly beyond redemption. We cleaned them up and got them back on track time and time again. We helped the ones who no one wanted to help. Here we are full circle in Tennessee… partnering with the Tennessee Department of Ag to help two very messy little pigs who had no resources. While we cannot take credit for the entire magical sequence of events that make this possible for them, we’re proud to play our part by being the final piece of the puzzle that makes it even an option to be saved. Without a safe sanctuary space to deliver them to, the officers would be in a very difficult spot. They would not feel empowered to help to this degree if they didn’t know there’s a super strange little resource in Middle Tennessee called Odd Man Inn.