Central Texas Pig Rescue Celebrates 10 Years of Compassion, Care and Advocacy

For a decade, Central Texas Pig Rescue has provided a sanctuary for hundreds of pigs while helping people learn more about the intelligent animals. As the organization prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, an upcoming gala on Nov. 15 will help support its next chapter: expanding its reach, strengthening its programs and inspiring more people to see pigs differently.

Imagine arriving at a sanctuary and being greeted by a friendly 600-pound pig who eagerly approaches for a belly rub. For Tracey Stabile, President of Central Texas Pig Rescue (CTPR), experiences like these are part of everyday life. Yet, they still surprise visitors who have never built a personal relationship with a pig.

Pigs have distinct personalities, individual communication styles and the ability to develop strong attachments to the people and animals around them. Some are nurturing, others assertive. Each has individual preferences that become apparent with time and attention. As Stabile explains, a group of pigs may initially look much the same to an unfamiliar observer, but spending time with them reveals just how different each one can be.

“They have the emotional intelligence of a three-to-four-year-old child, which is really sophisticated,” Stabile shares. “And they’re just so loving. They attach themselves to their pig friends or their people friends so strongly.”

The organization wants people to see pigs not simply as livestock or unconventional pets, but as individuals whose needs, relationships and capacity for connection deserve consideration. Its guiding message, “See Pigs Differently,” reflects a belief that meaningful change begins when people have the opportunity to form their own connections with these animals.

Ten years of rescue, care and second chances

Over the past decade, CTPR has rescued hundreds of pigs, and approximately 200 now call the sanctuary home. A roughly 45-minute drive from downtown Austin, this sanctuary sits on 26 forested acres where these animals are lovingly cared for by a team comprising 90% volunteers.

Some pigs arrive through animal shelters or animal control agencies after being abandoned, while others come from situations involving cruelty, lab testing and neglect. CTPR has also taken in pigs from large-scale cruelty seizures, experiences that Stabile describes as especially difficult and demanding. In each case, providing a safe place is only the beginning of a long-term commitment to appropriate care, medical treatment and quality of life.

Among the sanctuary’s residents are four pigs rescued from animal testing laboratories. For these animals, experiences such as walking on grass, breathing fresh air and receiving gentle physical affection can be entirely new. Stabile describes these survivors as joyful, distinctive personalities whose lives have changed dramatically since arriving at the sanctuary.

The work of CTPR is expensive and ongoing. Maintaining the property, providing food and water and meeting the medical needs of a large population of animals require substantial resources, especially as longtime residents grow older and need additional attention. Behind every peaceful scene at the sanctuary is a dedicated effort to ensure that the pigs living there continue to receive the care they need.

Central Texas Pig Rescue’s programs to help pig owners

CTPR also helps pig owners support their animals through practical support and guidance. Pet pigs can be more challenging to care for than many anticipate, due to their size and long-term needs. CTPR aims to strengthen resources for owners facing challenges, supporting both individual animals and the broader pig community.

Creating connections that inspire change

For CTPR, one of the most effective ways to influence perspectives is to invite people to meet the animals themselves. The sanctuary offers visitors an opportunity to experience pigs in an environment designed to maximize the animals’ well-being. Stabile hopes to expand on-site advocacy by welcoming more community members. These encounters introduce people to the animals’ personalities and encourage conversations about how pigs are treated. The goal is to create a personal connection that lasts well beyond a visit.

Regarding goals for the November gala, Stabile says, “We want CTPR to be the agent of change, so the fundraising that happens at this event will support the mission of getting people to our property to meet pigs, which is how they see them differently.”

Making those experiences possible requires more than a welcoming property. It takes people who can organize visits, care for the residents, develop educational programming and maintain the sanctuary while continuing its daily operations. Although CTPR has historically relied heavily on volunteers, the organization now has two staff members and is working to build the capacity needed for its next stage of growth.

For Stabile, investing in staff and programs is central to the mission’s future—providing better care for residents and reaching more people.

A gala to build the next decade

Building a stronger future for Central Texas Pig Rescue takes a community. Financial gifts and volunteers help cover sanctuary operations and expand advocacy programs. CTPR also welcomes people with professional expertise in areas such as fundraising, marketing, construction and organizational leadership, and it is seeking prospective board members who can help guide its continued development.

As Central Texas Pig Rescue celebrates 10 years of work, its upcoming gala on Nov. 15 offers an opportunity to recognize what the organization has accomplished and help shape what comes next. CTPR looks to a future where more people understand and support pigs — not only caring for those at the sanctuary, but also influencing how the community thinks about and helps pigs in need.

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