Sanctuary Visit: Whispering Rise Farm & Animal Sanctuary

Whispering Rise Farm & Animal Sanctuary
Freeland, MD

Whispering Rise Farm & Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide sanctuary to abused, neglected, abandoned, or seized potbelly pigs who are products of the pet pig trade. Their secondary mission is to provide humane education to the public, and to offer an anthrozoological experience to individuals and small groups.

The farm is available to children and adults who want a volunteer or community service experience, or who are looking for a more intense spiritual or emotional connection to animals in need.

Individual sponsors provide each of Whispering Rise’s residents with a proper diet, warmth in the winter, cooling relief in the summer, year round vet care, medication and supplements, and a healthy living environment at all times.

Meet the pigs:

Ethan: (From WRFAS) Ethan is an incredibly sweet pig in a larger than life body. He has a spinal deformity, due to improper use of a harness, but that doesn’t stop this special guy! He is the King of Belly Rubs. There really isn’t much he wouldn’t do for one! You will often find him flopped over waiting for belly rubs or for his diet to end.

Ethan was rescued from a Maryland trucking company that kept him as a “mascot” for the business. He was kept tied to a tree, but now lives safely and happily at WFRAS!

Ozzie is a sweet and curious pig! He loves people. After meeting me, he followed me around the pen and posed for many photos!

Queen Peaches is a gorgeous Berkshire pig. Berkshires are a rare bred of pig that originated in Berkshire, England. They are commonly bred for meat which is sold at a premium. Thankfully, Queen Peaches is safe at WRFAS, and will never be butchered for meat.

Belliumpkins: (From WRFAS) Belliumpkins is a gentle giant. His mom was presumed to be a farm pig while his dad was a potbelly, creating this adorable spotted creature. He was rescued and brought to Whispering Rise Farm & Animal Sanctuary where he bosses around his friends in Pen 3. He’s known to try to knock buckets of food out of unsuspecting hands and to smush his muddy nose against your leg until you pet him. Belli is one of our most noticeable and loveable pigs.

Hershey was a little bit shy when we met, but still warm and friendly. Check out that mohawk of bristles!

Oreo was named for obvious reasons and was rescued as a stray. She has since been reunited with her owner, but she continues to live at WRFAS.

LuLu: (From WRFAS) LuLu is a special gal and the official tour guide of Whispering Rise Farm & Animal Sanctuary. She has a sweet soul that will calm you better than any medicine ! She loves kisses on her nose and plenty of attention. She is a loyal companion who will follow you to the end of the world and back, or at least to the front gate. She likes posing for photos and meeting new people

Mushu (Left) and Notorious P.I.G. (Right)

I had a great time visiting Whispering Rise Farm & Animal Sanctuary and meeting all of their residents. With over 60 pigs in multiple herds, there are so many beautiful beings to spend time with. So many of these pigs were recused from neglect and abandonment or rescued from homes where they were kept as pets. Often people are falsely told that the pigs they are purchasing as pets will stay teacup size. Once they grow, their owners are unable to care for them. Additionally, when pigs are kept inside away from the mud and dirt they love, they can become aggressive. Again, this leads to abandonment of the pig. Fortunately, the pigs at Whispering Rise now live happy lives in a safe environment.

Below are many more happy faces from Whispering Rise Farm & Animals Sanctuary.