Cameron piglet arrived at Farm Sanctuary less than a week ago, but he has already stolen the hearts of everyone who has had the pleasure of meeting him. Weighing in at around thirteen pounds, seven-week-old Cameron is a huge personality tucked into a tiny pink package.
Cameron meets the blue toy pig.
Cameron meets Scott lamb.
Going to visit the turkeys!
A messy piglet is a happy piglet.
Cameron among his new turkey and chicken friends.
Meeting Lulu and Tatiana goats.
He smiles and flops down in the straw for belly rubs.
He is eager to make friends with human caregivers, and to explore his surroundings.
Cameron beams from Senior Shelter Manager Tara Hess’ lap, left, and follows Senior Caregiver Mike Cogliano in the pasture, right.
He loves his best friend, the stuffed hedgehog.
No one can come between a piglet and his hedgehog.
It is hard to imagine that not long ago, this sweet piglet was destined to be slaughtered at just six months of age.
Cameron hails from Louisville, KY, where he was born on a pig farm owned by a pastor. He was weaker and smaller than the other piglets, and there was a small bulge on his belly that the farmer believed was a hernia. Enter the heroine of our story: a young, newly married parishioner named Katlin, who was moved by the piglet’s helplessness. Katlin asked her pastor if she could care for him, but the farmer was initially reluctant. By the time the farmer agreed, Cameron had suffered a deep wound to his right hind leg — likely due to the aggression of the other pigs.
His leg injury required special care; fortunately, he had friends to help.
Katlin and her husband Brantley welcomed the weak, wounded piglet into their home, where they bottle-fed him; comforted him with his own bed, blanket, and hedgehog; and tried desperately to help him gain weight.
Young Cameron with Katlin, whose compassion saved his life.
As the young couple tended to the tiny piglet, they became increasingly attached. They realized that they did not want him to return to the pig farm, where he would continue to be raised for slaughter. After doing a little online research, Katlin reached out to Farm Sanctuary for advice. We encouraged her to approach the farmer and ask him to give the piglet to her, and on her birthday, the farmer informed her that the piglet was hers.
Cameron quickly won the hearts of the young couple.
Katlin was overjoyed to know that her beloved piglet’s life would be spared, but with Cameron growing bigger and stronger every day, she knew that she and Brantley would not be able to provide him with the space and socialization that all pigs require in order to thrive. When Farm Sanctuary offered Cameron a home, she was thrilled to know that he would have a lifetime of loving care and a peaceful existence among his own kind. Arrangements were finalized, and brave little Cameron made the journey to New York on August 9, 2016.
Cameron in his travel carrier.
The twist to Cameron’s story is that, when he was seen by the veterinary team at Cornell, it was determined that he did not actually suffer from a hernia at all, but rather, had likely had diverticulitis. The suspected hernia had truly saved this little one’s life — without that assumption, he would have been raised alongside the other piglets who were slaughter-bound instead of going to the home of people who would love him and work to save his life.
Cameron settling in at Farm Sanctuary.
While every individual at Farm Sanctuary is loved and cherished by caregivers and visitors alike, there is something special — even magical — about a baby.
“Got my stick!” —Cameron
Watching Cameron explore his environment, and observe and learn in the same way a human child would, is truly a gift to witness. This piglet is an ambassador for all youngsters who are deprived of the opportunity to live full, vibrant lives. We are grateful to the compassionate individuals whose refusal to look away from frailty and suffering gave Cameron a second chance at life.
Cameron is among the lucky ones, and we hope you’ll share his story. He is truly someone, not something. With your support, we can continue to promote compassionate vegan living through rescue, education, and advocacy efforts. A compassionate world begins with you!
Cameron meets Benedict goat.
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