Lil Orphan Hammies was created and is being managed by Sue Parkinson along with her Board of Directors. LOH is a 501 (c) 3 sanctuary and donations are tax deductible.

MISSION STATEMENT

Lil Orphan Hammies' mission is to create a delightful environment in which to provide excellent care to homeless and sometimes abandoned, abused and neglected potbellied pigs using the principles of good management, kindness, compassion and respect.

VALUES

"Dogs look up to us, cats look down on us and pigs treat us as equals."
Sir Winston Churchill

At Lil Orphan Hammies we do not consider ourselves their "owners", but their friends; living together in mutual respect and harmony.

Physical care - to provide healthy food, appropriate medical care, clean living conditions, a safe and comfortable environment

Emotional care - to treat behavioral problems, encourage socialization and provide a healing atmosphere especially to pigs coming from situations of abuse and neglect

Respect - ensure our actions always reflect well on the miniature pig, our establishment, colleagues and community

Imagination - to be creative in our approach and to look inwards as well as outwards for ideas and solutions

Integrity - to be reliable, truthful and honest in all our dealings

Innovation - establish our own unique and distinct identity thereby ensuring our differentiation from other sanctuaries and rescues

Sustainability - to create initiatives that assure our continued ability to maintain our standards and provide the level of care required

POLICIES

Appropriate Medical Care - to provide medical intervention as and when needed both personally and with the help of veterinarians

No-kill - we do not euthanize any animal unless mortally wounded or suffering from terminal illness

Spay/Neuter - the sanctuary adheres to a strict spay/neuter policy and there are no intact boars on the property in order to prevent accidental breeding with older sows that may be too heavy or aged to survive spaying. Pregnant rescued sows nearing the end of their term are not aborted, but are permitted to bear their young and raise them as nature intended. These piglets are spayed or neutered as soon as is medically feasible.

No Pigs for Sale - Lil Orphan Hammies does not sell pigs or piglets.

Adoption/Placement - prospective homes are carefully screened to ascertain whether the proper environment and facilities exist for the adoptive animal. LOH networks with the adoptive owners to ensure they have the information necessary to meet the pig's ongoing care requirements and individual needs. Where possible a home check will be conducted. LOH will take back any pig we adopt out if the placement fails to succeed.

Public Awareness - we help to bring the plight of unwanted pigs to the public's attention by exposing abuse and neglect cases and backyard breeders, by pro-active involvement in community and state events, education programs, on-site tours and info sessions and on-line networking with other interested pig owners and groups.

SERVICES PROVIDED

Rescue - we provide assistance to shelters, groups and individuals in rescuing abused and neglected pot bellied pigs by sharing information, tactics, skills, resources and equipment. To the extent of our limited resources, we also offer sanctuary to many pigs who have lost their homes due to zoning restrictions and because of other personal factors.

Adoption - we make every effort to place all "adoptable" pigs, providing a suitable home can be found.

Boarding - we offer boarding on a fee-for-service basis.

Long-term care - we provide a "forever home" for those pigs so badly abused or injured that they are not considered adoptable.

Education - provide educational outreach to the public through participation in local and regional events by handing out information flyers, manning information booths, accepting public speaking engagements, kiss-a-pig- school events, newsletters.

Networking - we network with individuals and groups in the rescue and placement of pigs across North America and overseas through our contacts on the internet in addition to providing information and tips on behavioral problems and medical issues as required.

Rehabilitation - many pigs arrive here with major problems of aggression such as charging and biting. We work with these pigs to ease their terrors and allay their fears by consistent, compassionate and kind intervention and through techniques of behaviour modification. Often a pig that was previously considered to be unplaceable has been mellowed and eventually successfully rehomed.

Special Needs - provide extended care for special needs pigs with behavioral, medical and geriatric problems and conditions.