September 2015 NL - ironwoodpigs.org · great job of integrating himself into the herd with little of the normal fighting and fussing that comes when new pigs are introduced into

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IRONWOOD

PIG SANCTUARY

H a p p y Ho l i d

a y s

Ironwood Pig SanctuaryPost Office Box 35490

Tucson, AZ 85740November 2015

Dear Supporter,

As the year draws to an end and the holidays approach it seems that this has been a difficult and traumaticyear for so many around the globe. We have seen historic and near historic weather events and images ofthousands and thousands of refugees in desperate situations in their homelands and uncertainty wherethey are going. I think daily of all the human loss through all of this but also of the millions of animalswho have been affected by these dramatic changes.

All of these events and so many others make me so thankful and appreciative of all you have done forthe pigs here at Ironwood. Looking back over the year we have faced many challenges as well.Thankfully they have not been of the magnitude endured by so many. As the “micro mini” fad rages wehave taken in more stray pigs this year than ever before as well as the fourteen babies that were born totwo of the female strays, Jezebel and Polly. Donna’s article “Now What” gives you a good sense of allthat happens here behind the scenes once a new pig arrives. It is rare that a new pig comes to us withoutissues. Even our newest and youngest stray, Minnie pictured here, appears to have issues at this youngage with her legs or hips.

But our pigs are very fortunate to have arrived here at Ironwood. All of the nearly seventy pigs who havecome through our gates so far this year have come to a place of refuge, a place where one is safe orprotected from danger or distress and here they will remain unless a similar good home can be found.Their needs will be met and they will be safe. As I have said so many times in the past this all would notbe possible without you.

With all the turmoil around, we have been able to maintain the care of the pigs here at Ironwood due tothe hard work and dedication of Taryn, Donna and all of our Staff and Volunteers and YOU.

As the holiday season approaches I hope you and your loved ones have asafe haven as well. My holidays will be filled with the joy of knowinglittle Minnie is safe from the streets of Tucson like so many others whocame before her this year. We thank you so very much and HappyHolidays!

Sincerely,

Mary SchanzPresident & Co-Founder

Page 2 IRONWOOD PIG SANCTUARY Issue 67

Even Our New Arrival BabyMinnie Has Hip And Leg

Issues

n early April of 2015 wereceived a call from a couplein Tucson saying they had

found a small black pig runningaround the parking lot of a localWalmart store. Afraid that hewould dart out into the street andget run over, they were easily ableto catch the friendly guy and takehim home. Attempts to find hisowner fell through. Since theywere not in a home conducive tohaving a pig, they called andasked if we would be able to takehim. They were even nice enoughto bring him on out to thesanctuary.

It was soon obvious that this sweetlittle pig who looked to be aboutfour months old had beensomeone’s pet. He was quick toroll over for a belly rub and lovedgetting attention from people.Rob, a former employee ofIronwood who had moved out ofstate had recently become a fatherand named his son Arlo. I asked

for permission to name a pig afterhis son and he was delighted! (Ididn’t tell Rob this but our Arlo iscuter than his!) We got Arloneutered as soon as possible then

www.ironwoodpigs.org [email protected]

Issue 67 IRONWOOD PIG SANCTUARY Page 3

Arlo, The Pig From Walmart

he went through a 45 dayquarantine period during whichmales remain fertile afterneutering. Yes, even at fourmonths of age! Male pigs canbecome fertile as early as 9 weeksof age…..unbelievable but true!During Arlo’s time of living inone of our holding pens he wasallowed to go out into the exerciseyard for play time each day. Heloved going out and exploring thearea; running, nibbling, rooting,jumping in the pool…all thosethings that pigs love to do.

Once Arlo had completed his 45days, he began going out into theyard for exercise time with othernew arrivals that would latermake the move together to one ofthe fields. This gave them theopportunity to get to know oneanother under supervision beforethey went out to join a herd. Arloand six other piggies soon made

the move to the North Field andbecame part of a herd of 46 pigs.It is one of the larger fields andhas lots of space for Arlo toexplore. He quickly settled intothe northeast section of the field,claiming his shelter and a “homebase” for his territory. Arlo did agreat job of integrating himselfinto the herd with little of thenormal fighting and fussing thatcomes when new pigs areintroduced into an existing groupof pigs.

Arlo is a very independent youngboy and wanders all over the fieldeach day on his own. He’ll stopunder one shade ramada to take adip in the pool, spend a fewmoments visiting with the pigs

there then take off to see what ishappening elsewhere. Beingyoung and full of energy, Arlowill sometimes gallop across thefield just because he feels like it!Other times he works his wayslowly, nosing along for tidbits offood or hay or anything elseinteresting he may run across. Herecognizes his name and willcome trotting over if you call out

I

AArr lloo && CCoollee

DDoonnnnaa && AArr lloo



to him. He is always ready forsome petting or a belly rub. Arlois just a very happy piggy!

A supporter said that Arlo musthave been hanging out in theparking lot at Walmart because heheard about the great price on fignewton cookies there! Whateverthe reason and how or why heended up there, it was perfect

timing for the nice people thatrescued him. It was also perfecttiming for him to come toIronwood right when we hadseveral other young pigs thatwould eventually become hisbuddies out in the North Fieldwhere they have made their home.Arlo is one lucky boy! (And asweet one too!)

---Donna

Open HouseNovember 14, 2015 From 11 AM to 3 PM

Don’t forget about Ironwood’s annual Open House. Invitationswith a map and directions have been sent out. You can also check our

web site if you did not receive one.

If you would like to bring donations, please check out this list ofthings we currently need. An * denotes items we are most in need of.

**BLANKETS (pigs love comforters!)**SHEETS*Cranberry/Grape Juice (cran/grape flavor onlyplease)*Vitamin B Complex (small tablets please)*Ranitidine 150mg Acid Reducer*Flaxseed Capsules Sunscreen SPF 50 (Lotion only please)Prune JuiceFig Newton Cookies (or equivalent brand)Mineral OilVitamin E 400 IUPeanut Butter, CREAMY ONLYCanned PumpkinTriple Antibiotic OintmentAnimal CrackersBenefiber (not flavored)

These happy, smiling pigs are just afew of those waiting to meet andgreet you at this year’s OpenHouse! Come on down and bringyour friends and family along too!



Double Your Donation!You can double and sometimes triple your donation if you work for or

are retired from a matching gift company.Please check the bottom of the Support page on our website at

www.ironwoodpigs.org for many organizations that have a matchinggift policy.

Planned GivingThank you for considering the Ironwood

Pig Sanctuary in your estate plans.Ironwood has been the recipient of bequests from manygenerous supporters. These donors have received personal

satisfaction by providing for the continued mission of the Sanctuary.The Mary C Schanz Foundation is doing business as (dba) Ironwood Pig Sanctuary. For

your Will please use both names (although it is okay if you’ve already used only the IronwoodPig Sanctuary name), the post office address from the back cover and this tax identificationnumber for the Foundation: 86-0999483. Your support makes it possible for us to give aloving home to the almost 600 Pot Bellied Pigs in our care and is very much appreciated.

Many of you like the convenience and certaintly of sending something that we need by using the WishList on Amazon.com. Our wish list is updated frequently and contains the quantity of each item needed andthe number that we have received so far. This guarantees that you are sending something that is needed now.

Thank you for using Smile.Amazon.com. And by signing up for Amazon Prime you also receive free shippingwhich is particularly helpful when you are sending something heavy or large. Sometimes Amazon hassomething that they don’t want to send to our Post Office Box and will ask for another address. You can givethem our shipping address where we receive packages only from UPS or FedEx but NOT regular postal mailsince we are so far from town. The address is: 34656 E Crystal Visions Rd, Marana, AZ 85658.

Log on to Smile.Amazon.com/ch/86-0999483 using the same log-in information that you use for yourAmazon.com account. At the top of the page you will see Supporting: Mary C Schanz Foundation. TheFoundation is our parent organization and is doing business as (dba) the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary. By usingSmile.Amazon we will receive a donation of 0.5% from Amazon for all of your purchases, not only the onesyou send to us.

All your packages are a great help and much appreciated!

You Like Amazon.com

The Pigs Hope This Adds to Your Holiday Cheer

Scenes & Faces From the Sanctuary 2015

The Pigs Hope This Adds to Your Holiday Cheer

Scenes & Faces From the Sanctuary 2015

My family’s house burned down andsuddenly there was nowhere for anyof us to live. Thank goodness my dadwas able to find Ironwood for mybrother and me!

I no longer have a sponsor and

really need someone to watch over me

during my “golden years.” I may be

old but I can still hold my own out here

with these other geezers!


WWooll ffggaanngg

My dad had a multitude of problems:surgery, divorce, moving. It was nolonger an option for me to stay withhim. I’m happy here but I still miss mydad.

No, my last name is not Mozart.I have not composed beautifulsymphonies or operas. I amsimply a pig named Wolfgang insearch of a sponsor.

LLii ll yy MMaaee

Most of these pigs are recent arrivals from the past fewmonths. There are always new ones coming in that need yourhelp. Your $30 monthly donation goes a long way to help meetthe basic daily needs of the pig of your choice. As a pig “momor dad,” you will receive a letter with the history of your pig

along with photos. During theyear you will get an update onyour pig’s life with new pictures.These piggies as well as othershere at the sanctuary want andneed your support. Please joinour family of sponsors today.

—-Donna

PS: Sponsoring a pig can makea delightful holiday gift forfriends and family!!DDoonnnnaa && JJeessss iiccaa

My family’s house burned down andsuddenly there was nowhere for anyof us to live. Thank goodness my dadwas able to find Ironwood for mybrother and me!

SSwweeeett TTeeaa

My dad had a multitude of problems:surgery, divorce, moving. It was nolonger an option for me to stay withhim. I’m happy here but I still miss mydad.

I am rather new to Ironwood. Myfamily moved away to a place thatwas not zoned for pigs. It sort of hurtmy feelings to be so easilydismissed, but I do like my homehere.

CChhiinnoo

I am a product of divorce, astory that has been told here before.At my other home, a dog bit my tailcompletely off. I mean all ofit…no stub or stump, justnothing.


PPeeggggyy

There I was living happily with

my dad until his son moved

back in with a dog who was

mean to me. I’m deaf and blind

but was luckily able to find a

safe home here.

MMaauurr iicceeMy family moved off to the east

coast and thought it was too long

of a journey for me. I lost my

home and my family and now

they’ve got me on a diet! Can it

get any worse?!

LLoouuiiee

DDoozzeerr

dicey when dealing with them.The simple daily chore ofcleaning a boar’s pen and waterbowls can be a real challengewhen he is attempting to gaindominance over everyone. Thesooner a male is neutered, thesooner he begins to calm down.Males remain fertile for up to 45days after they have beenneutered as it takes that long forany residual sperm to beabsorbed. Many times we havehad a very aggressive boar cometo us, get neutered, go through hisquarantine period then be releasedto a field to become a calm,friendly member of a herd. Babeover in Sunset Field, Porgy inMain Field and Buster in PrincessField are three boys that are proofthat an overly aggressive boar canbecome a friendly pig.

Another problem we encounterwith newly rescued pigs isinjuries they have sustained eitherat their homes or while runningloose. Most of those with injuriesare due to attacks by dogs orcoyotes. We have had pigs comein with severe lacerations,missing ears, puncture wounds



he pigs that come to liveat Ironwood come fromall sorts of backgrounds

with a multitude of reasons as towhy they need to be placed withus. They could be strays thathave escaped from yards or beendumped in rural areas, there arethose that have behaviorproblems, some have zoningissues, others have been attackedby dogs, with some the ownersare moving and either can’t orwon’t take them and sadly, somepigs are just no longer wanted.Whatever their stories are, wenever know what to expect as faras the physical or emotionalproblems and challenges thataccompany our new arrivals.

The first and most important issuefor males in particular is, are theyneutered or not. If the answer isno, getting that surgery scheduledas soon as possible becomes apriority. The majority ofunaltered males become ratheraggressive and some can bedangerous. Even if they have notdisplayed any harmful behavior attheir previous homes, theirhormones kick into full gear oncethey get around all these otherpigs and things can get a little

and even paralysis in the case ofSylvia many years ago.Sometimes the wounds are thingsthat we can treat topically andwith antibiotics on our own.Other times a trip to the vet clinicis required as with Elroy, a sweetguy that arrived this past summerwith both ears ripped and swollen.Amber needed multiple surgeriesand intense care for weeks aftershe arrived with most of her face

torn off by a dog. Ellie’s entireear was bitten off and although

she had already had surgerybefore coming to us, the infectionthat had set in meant another tripto the vet for her. She has hadrecurring problems requiring vetvisits during the six years that shehas lived at Ironwood.

I have mentioned before that we

TNow What?

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BBaabbee

shade and mud wallow that shenow calls home. It took a littletime for her to figure out whereeverything was, but Peggy has her“territory,” the section of the fieldwhere she feels safe and knowswhere all the obstacles are. Mostdays you can find her lying in herwallow. That girl loves the mudand water!

Obesity is another problem formany incoming pigs. Beingoverweight can not only causehealth problems but an otherwisehealthy young pig is unable to gojoin a herd of others of similar agebecause there is no way he or shecan compete with others or defendthemselves if challenged whenthey can barely get around.Obesity leads to inactivity which

leads to weak joints and muscles.These chubby pigs have to beplaced in special needs areaswhere there are less pigs tocompete with and where they canbe monitored more closely. Theyare put on diets in the hopes thatlosing weight will increase theiractivity level. An example of howa poor diet can affect a pig is acomparison of two brothers, Otisand Stephano. They were bothborn at the Animal Control Centerin Yuma, AZ then brought herealong with the rest of their litter

for him they had not yetpunctured through his cheeks.Because of the danger of himpossibly getting his tusks caughtin the fencing or of him hurtingsomeone, we had to get himtrimmed right away. Peggy, atwelve year old arriving this pastsummer, had hooves so long thatthey had curved upward andcrossed over one another. Thepoor thing had trouble walkingand needed immediate attention totake care of her feet.

Not only did Peggy have horriblylong hooves, but she is also blindand deaf. Those two disabilitiesdo not keep her from having ahappy full life, but they did makefor special consideration for herfield placement. Peggy went to

live in one of the smaller fields,Special Needs East which is hometo a herd of elderly pigs, none ofwhom we thought would be achallenge for Peggy. She adjustedbeautifully and found a shelter,

are unable to get all our femalesspayed due to a variety of reasonsbut there are some that simply

need to be done. A cute younggirl named Sweet Tea that came tous this past June is a primeexample. Sweet Tea was notspayed and every month when shewent into heat she became thebiggest nuisance in the universe!She gnawed and/or bit everyhuman leg she could come incontact with, jumped on peopleknocking some to the ground andpestered the other pigsunrelentingly, mounting them andchasing them everywhere. SweetTea no longer does any of thosethings because now she is spayedand is a sweet, well-behavedyoung lady.

Pigs need regular hoof and tusktrimmings performed. Weoccasionally get pigs in that havenever been trimmed in their lives.Maurice’s tusks were incrediblylong when he came here but lucky



DDoozzeerr

MMaauurr iiccee

SSwweeeett TTeeaa


Page 12 IRONWOOD PIG SANCTUARY lssue 67

when they were just a couple ofweeks old. Otis was adopted intoa home where he lived for sixyears but was returned to thesanctuary this past May when hisfamily moved into an area notzoned for pigs. Stephano haslived his entire life at Ironwoodand resides in the Peoria Fieldwith some of his other siblings.He is a perfect weight andremains very active, wanderingall over the large field in which helives. Otis is overweight and sort

of shuffles around as little aspossible. He lives in one of ourspecial needs fields even thoughhe is a relatively young guy.

We have had several pigs, usuallyelderly ones that have come to ushaving never been brushed orpetted much. Their backs havebeen covered with years worth ofscaly skin, dirt and debris. Twoolder pigs that have since passedaway come to mind. Arnie had somuch trash in his hair when hecame here that I spent days

running the rake along his backpulling out wads of blanket fuzz,leaves, bits of string and whatlooked like chicken feed. It waslike he had a bird’s nest buried inhis mane! Dali’ had a severe caseof thickened scales over her entirebody that required weeks ofspecial lotions and brushing smallamounts off at a time so as not to

abruptly expose her down to rawskin. Thankfully Dali’ loved herdaily “spa treatments” and was ajoy to be with. Just a little gentleback scratching, brushing orraking will keep that fromhappening. Yes, I said raking!Some of the pigs love to havetheir backs scratched with therake.

Often times we get pigs that havebeen raised either strictly indoorsor at least mostly inside. Many ofthem have problems adjusting tobeing out and exposed to the sunall day once they get here. Evenhaving plenty of shade is not thesame as being inside. Macy, awhite house pig, had to live in one

of the holding pens for muchlonger than normal before beingmoved out into a field becauseshe got sunburned so easily. Wewould coat her with sunscreenand let her have her yard timeearly in the mornings and shewould still turn beet red. It tooka long time for her skin to getused to the desert sun, but she ishappily living out inComanche’s Field and has madeseveral close friends.

Another issue that house pigsmust face is adjusting fromwalking around on carpetedfloors or grass yards to walkingon the desert surface. Daphne’sfeet were bruised and tenderafter being in the dirt and rocksonce she was moved toComanche’s Field. We ended uphaving to bring her back to oneof the holding pens for a rest andrecovery period then moved herto the Northeast Field which issmaller with a lot less rocks.Daphne has toughened up and isdoing great now.

There are so many things to takeinto consideration with the pigsand what the next steps are forthem once they come to thesanctuary. The lives they ledbefore arriving at Ironwood domake a difference as to whattype of care they needimmediately as well as longterm. We treat each arrival as aprecious individual and do ourbest to provide a good safe homefor them. Making pigs happy isour business!

---Donna

SStteepphhaannoo

MMaaccyy

OOtt iiss

DDaall ii ’’



GIFT CARDSWalgreen’sHome DepotLowesO

ur W

ish

List

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Postage Stamps (Forever, Post Card Stamps, 49 and35 cents) Other denominations can also be usedUsed Blankets are always welcome Sheets but not pillow casesSunscreen Lotion spf 50 (No Spray)Vitamin B ComplexVitamin E, 400 IU onlyAcid Reducer, Ranitidine 150mgFlaxseed Oil, Capsules OnlyTriple Antibiotic OintmentBenefiber (Not Flavored)Paper TowelsStool Softener

WalmartAmazonOffice Depot

DiscoverMasterCardOffice Max

TargetFry’sStaples

We have a wish list on Smile.Amazon.com. They offer freeshipping on many items if you sign up for Amazon Prime.

DONATION DROP OFFSIt’s starting to cool off here in Arizona so collecting blankets for winter is a priority. Wenever seem to have enough and really need your help. For those of you in the Phoenix andTucson areas there are four drop off locations for your convenience to save on shippingcharges for blankets and other items from our wish list. Please note that no monetarydonations can be accepted here. All other material donations are very welcome and muchappreciated.

For the Phoenix area you may drop donations off at Susan’s in North Phoenix near E UnionHills Dr and N Cave Creek Rd. Call her at 602-339-6213 for directions. Also Carolyn’s inEast Mesa near Superstition Springs Mall. You may call 480-981-8069 for directions.For the Tucson area you may drop items off at Sherry’s in Southeast Tucson near Swan Rdand 22nd St. Call her at 520-622-6304 for directions. Also Ben’s in Northwest Tucsonnear N Oracle Rd and W Hardy Rd. Call him at 520-631-6015 for directions.

We appreciate all your support!

*Blankets NOT to give a pigand why:

1) Some pigs shred theirblankets for nesting soelectric blankets can bedangerous due to the wiresand plastic parts.2) Since some pigs areshredders, down comforterscan be very messy and pigscan get feathers stuck in theireyes and nose or inhale them.3) Afghans can become legtraps if a pig gets theirfoot/leg stuck in the holes andtrips or falls.4) Snuggies….cute butdangerous when a pig gets aleg or head stuck in thesleeves.

Think like a nesting pig whenchoosing blankets.

ita is oneo u t s t a n d i n glooking pig. She

is long and gray with ablack face and a whiteMohawk that makes herstand out over all othershere. Hard to believe,but Rita was a stray whowe picked up in Tucsonon October 1, 2012. Shehas been with us three

years now. A lady on a regular residential street inTucson opened her gate one morning to put her trashout behind her house and there stood Rita. Imaginethat surprise! She was quite a lot heavier then, so shewas bigger than she appears here. The lady took Ritain and kept her for a month while she tried to locateher home. She said she was very calm and friendly,but she could not keep her at her home any longer sowe were called to pick her up. And yes, Rita is a veryfriendly and sweet lady.

We knew Rita was already up in years, so we felt shewould not be suited to one of the large fields.Therefore she was moved to Assisted Living Phase IIIwhere she has enjoyed the last three years with some

of our otherolder pigs. Wehave gottenmany strays inover the yearsbut Rita standsout as the mostunique of them.I would love toknow her historyand how shehappened to endup in an alley inthe middle ofTucson.



R

I R O N W O O D P I G S A N C T U A R Y N E W S

IRONWOOD PIG SANCTUARYPOST OFFICE BOX 35490TUCSON, AZ 85740-5490520-631-6015ironwoodpigs@yahoo.comwww.ironwoodpigs.orgwww.facebook.com/IronwoodPigSanctuarywww.instagram.com/IronwoodPigSanctuary


NON PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDTUCSON, AZ

PERMIT NO. 2216

Return Service RequestedPublished at the above address regularly.

NOVEMBER 2015 ISSUE 67

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Front and Back CoversIRONWOOD

IIIISSSSSSSSUUUUEEEENNNNOOOO 66667777

NNNNOOOOVVVVEEEEMMMMBBBBEEEERRRR2222000011115555

RRRRiiii ttttaaaa

IRONWOOD

PIG SANCTUARY

H a p p y Ho l i d

a y s

ared is seen here passing out meds to many ofthe pigs in the East Field. They are not so easyto tell apart because as you can see they are all

big and black. They are also very old so nearly all ofthem are now on meds. Back in January of 2002, lessthan a year after we opened, we brought many pigshere from our Annex. At that time it was stillPigs*A*Lot where we began our passion for pigs andwere prompted to begin a life of rescuing pigs. Theyhave spent their entire lives together and we havereserved the East Field for them and have never addedadditional pigs to their herd which was originally 58pigs and is now down to 19. These pigs and theremaining 21 at our Annex facility are all well intotheir late teens with none under 15. They and theremaining Annex pigs are the early roots of Ironwoodand one of the reasons for its existence. Summer andRoo are two among the pigs pictured above who haveto be indentified for their morning meds.

J

RRii ttaa SSuummmmeerr && RRoooo

MISSION STATEMENTThe Ironwood Pig Sanctuary is dedicated to eliminating the suffering of pot-bellied pigs by

promoting spaying and neutering, assisting owners and other sanctuaries, and providing apermanent home in a safe, nurturing environment for those that are abandoned, abused,

neglected, or unwanted.

* Ironwood Pig Sanctuary is accredited by the American Sanctuary Association.* The Ironwood Pig Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and

your donations are tax deductible.



Dear Ironwood People,

I think it’s great that you takethe time to make life better foryour piggies. Such a greatcause, and I love yourbrochures! How can anyonenot donate to your sanctuary?Your photos make one smile!

Continue your great work!

Bettina

We have many followers on our Facebookpage and have started an IronwoodInstagram. You can see even more pigphotos and videos if you follow ourInstagram and see updates on new intakes.www.instagram.com/ironwoodpigsanctuary

Instagram

I R O N W O O D P I G S A N C T U A R Y N E W S

IRONWOOD PIG SANCTUARYPOST OFFICE BOX 35490TUCSON, AZ 85740-5490520-631-6015ironwoodpigs@yahoo.comwww.ironwoodpigs.orgwww.facebook.com/IronwoodPigSanctuarywww.instagram.com/IronwoodPigSanctuary


NON PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDTUCSON, AZ

PERMIT NO. 2216

Return Service RequestedPublished at the above address regularly.

NOVEMBER 2015 ISSUE 67

JJaarreedd GGiivviinngg MMeeddss ttoo tthhee EEaasstt FFiieelldd PPiiggss

Documents

September 2015 NL - ironwoodpigs.org · great job of integrating himself into the herd with little of the normal fighting and fussing that comes when new pigs are introduced into