General 4 — Swine Knot

SPONSOR US

Meet Our Residents

From spirited piglets to wise old sows and barrows, each resident at Swine Knot has a unique story of resilience and hope. Through our nurturing environment and personalized care plans, we ensure that every animal receives the attention they need to thrive. Whether they arrive with health challenges or emotional scars, we are committed to providing a forever home where they can flourish.

All of our rescued animals are available to be sponsored. Your monthly gift ensures that each animal gets the top quality care that they deserve. Our animals love to be visited by their sponsor mom & dads and appreciate your support. The cost to sponsor an animal starts at only $25 per month and can be a recurring monthly gift or gifted annually. If you are unable to have a pig, goat, sheep, donkey, or any adorable species of your own, the next best thing is to sponsor one of ours.

Sponsor

Baby came to us in 2014 with her second litter of piglets. We were able to spay, neuter, and find homes for all four of her piglets. She is a shy girl who prefers not to be touched but is very willing to receive a treat from your hand. She is best friends with Juliet, and covers her up every evening before bed.

Baby

Juliet came to us a stray. She was intact and wandering the county looking for her Romeo. She is now spayed and is the first to flop for a belly rub. She is our most senior citizen; we don’t know her exact age but we estimate she is at least 15. She has lived at Swine Knot since 2014 and has a distinctive snurddle.

Juliet

Faye is our very first foster pig, and our very first foster fail. She and her brother were sold as teacup pigs and kept in an aquarium. Unfortunately, he brother didn’t survive. She has been a great pig ambassador and has been spokes pig at many events. She’s even a regular on Capital Hill. Faye moved here with us to Swine Knot in July 2014.

Faye

Olivia has been a working girl and event pig for over 10 years. She’s won multiple costume contests and and has won the hearts of everyone she meets. She is a docile sweet girl who often becomes our guinea pig for demonstrations, but she always takes it in stride. She never passes up a bellyrub or a sweet patch of green grass.

Olivia

While at University of Tennessee Veterinary Hospital with our first pig Kirby we saw a tiny Elsa for the first time. She had been found abandoned on a construction site in a snowstorm. A good samaritan brought her to UT. Good thing because she was ill with erysipelas. Kirby had to stay 2 weeks and we told the vet that if she was still there when he went home that we would take her too. The rest is history. She’s been our Elsa Moo since 2015.

Elsa

Jellybean came to us in 2017 after being seized by a neighboring county’s animal control because he was being abused. Luckily, Loving Acres picked him up for us. Not so lucky for her, he ate the leather seat in her Cadillac on the way. He answers to many names: JB, Beanie Weanie, Beans, Beanie Baby, and Beanie Butt to name a few. Jellybean and Elsa are thick as theives.

Jellybean

Willie Bear was running loose for weeks in a neighboring county back in 2015. He was still a piglet and was chocolate brown and chunky. He looked just like a little bear cub. He’s a very shy boy and prefers the company of his own family. He does enjoy a good belly rub once he knows he can trust you. But, you definitely have to earn his trust.

Penelope

Penelope was found outside of a Subway restaurant where she had followed her nose. She had been picked up many times by animal control and her owner finally surrendered her. She was obese from being feed dog food when she came to us in 2017. She is now a slim and sweet girl, although she will still eat a footlong if offered.

Willie Bear

Romeo is actually a long term boarder, but he’s just as much our family as any of the other pigs at Swine Knot. He came to us because his family loves him dearly and wanted the very best for him. He was a bit overweight when he arrived, but now he is slim and trim. He loves spending time lounging on his deck and soaking up the rays.

Romeo

Hamilton came to us during the pandemic in 2020, due to life circumstances that prohibited his owner from caring for him. Once an avid biter, integrating him with a herd has taken the bite right out of him. He is now a sweet boy and lives with Willie Bear and Penelope. He’s the bottom pig in the herd, but he doesn’t seem to mind as long as he knows his place. Structure can calm a savage beast.

Hamilton

Waffles was born to be a 4H project. She was not chosen because although she’s a Kune Kune, she doesn’t have the trademark wattles. What she lacks in wattles she makes up for in personality in a big way. She is our official greeter and security guard. Nothing happens at Swine Knot that Waffles doesn’t know about. She is also a love bug and has been with us since 2020.

Waffles

Kiwi came from another Virginia Sanctuary called Pearl’s Preserve. She was born there from a pregnant rescue. She was the tiniest little piglet and a free spirit. She loves affection and has beautiful markings. She’s still very petite for a Kune Kune but has a big heart. She also has been with us since 2020.

Kiwi

Oliver came to us in 2022 after a move from Arizona. Unfortunately, his new home in VA did not allow pigs. He is such a handsome boy and affectionate also. He loves to just become entranced by a good piggy scratch. He has a fantastic smile that is contagious. He lives with his ladies, Waffles and Kiwi.

Oliver

Our newest addition is Poppy. Poppy was brought to us by Brook Hill Farm in November of 2023. She was living in a UVA frat house, which is no place for a piglet. She is so smart and loving, and not to mention adorable. She is currently in training to take over as spokes pig for the farm.

Poppy

Just as his name implies Jefe is the boss around here. Of course if you’ve visited you know he is an attention hound and will stick to you like glue. But, don’t let that mushy exterior fool you. Jefe is serious about protecting the animals that live here. He will take off after the slightest hint of danger. Weighing in at 120 lbs., he is worth his weight in gold. He is the hardest worker on the farm.

Jefe

Winter is Jefe’s right hand man. These two work together in tandem while keeping all of the animals free from predators and any other danger (including a passing squirrel or falling leaf). Winter is a sensitive kind of guy but loves his share of affection just the same. You will often see him napping, I mean listening to the ground for subtle sounds.

Winter

Charlotte and he mother Honey came to us in 2015 when Charlotte was only 9 days old. We spoiled her rotten and she will still try to sit in your lap like she did as a tiny foal. She was sick most of her first year with digestion problems which have resolved. But she does have Cushings Disease so we have to watch her diet and environmental changes closely. She enjoys the attention and has one of the largest personalities on the farm.

Charlotte

Honey

Honey is absolutely adorable. Cute as a bug. She has come a long way from when she first arrived. She is not overly social with people, but she loves her herd fiercely. She has been a wonderful mother to Charlotte and we are thrilled that they will be able to spend their entire lives together as a family.

Chance is not actually a rescue. But he did rescue my heart after the last two horses we rescued tragically passed over the rainbow bridge. He is actually my riding partner and special confidant. He is a gentle boy who loves attention and especially loves treats. He is very bonded to the two minis and is the man of the herd.

Chance

Banjo came to us November 29, 2023 on my dad’s birthday. We named him Banjo because my dad loved playing Banjo. This adorable, in your pocket love bug somehow found himself at auction. We couldn’t have rescued a better donkey. I believe he would cuddle up on the couch and watch TV under a blanket. But, Fonz won’t let him in the house.