Abner's Story
The school wanted to hold off on sending Abner to market because he didn't weigh enough. The new plan was to take him on the 20th of May - graduation day. I was fully prepared to miss my graduation if need be, but part of me felt I deserved to be there after working so hard and overcoming so much. I contacted the Animal Science department again, pleading with them to let me purchase Abner directly from the school or at least hold on to him until the 27th so I attend my graduation. Several people from the Pig Placement Network as well as the local animal board sent emails as well. I received a response within hours stating that they could not sell Abner to me directly, but they would hold him for market until the 27th .
The morning of my graduation day I received a phone call from one of the Animal Handlers on the farm letting me know that Abner was sent to market. This couldn't be! I explained to her that I was told by the head of the department that Abner would be held until the 27th . She had never been told this. I began hyperventilating. The pig market didn't start until 3pm, so there was still a chance to save Abner, but we'd have to work quickly. The woman from the farm called again. She had contacted her boss, and yes indeed, Abner was supposed to be held until the 27th . They were now on a search for the transporter's number to let him know he needed to hold on to the pig. They would keep me posted. Waiting to be contacted was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life! The handler called back and let me know that the transporter was actually turning around and bringing Abner back to the farm.
The morning of the 27th I received another phone call from the school farm saying they didn't have room on the truck for Abner to go to market, so he needed to be picked up from the school immediately. This would have been great, if they had originally offered the option a month ago, but now all of the plans had been worked around going to market and needed to be changed. We drove to the school farm and fastened a makeshift ramp to the rented Enterprise van covered in hay. We coaxed Abner into the van and drove to Chenoa Manor. With a little nudging and a lot of encouragement we were able to persuade Abner to jump out of the van and into freedom. That moment is one that I will hold with me forever; the look on his face as he jumped with trepidation out of the van and into his new home, watching him explore his new surroundings, and root in his very first mud puddle. It was that moment that made all of the struggles, all of the back and forth, and all of the uncertainty worthwhile. It's comforting to know that Abner will have the chance to live a long happy life. He will obviously be well cared for! I am looking forward to visiting Chenoa Manor often to see him grow and thrive. He is a very lucky pig indeed.
On the ride home though, I couldn't help but think about all of the pigs that aren't so lucky. There were 32 other pigs who were a part of that fateful Animal Handling course. Rutgers University breeds literally hundreds of pigs a year on their farm. Some of the females are kept as breeding sows, churning out litter after litter of "feeder" piglets in the tightest of quarters, all slated for the same fate. They claim they do not abuse the pigs, but breeding them for death is cruel enough. I am deeply grateful that we were able to save Abner, but the real work will be putting an end to this brutality.