Calls to help two lovely Auckland-based kunekune pigs called Greta and Garbo were answered by many caring people and SAFE. When friendly 2-year-old female Greta (pure black) and 4-year-old male Garbo (tan, cream & black) were abandoned on a Clevedon property, it was a death sentence for them. The new landowner considered them superfluous and intended to slaughter them unless a new home could be found. Thankfully the Pakuratahi Farm Animal Sanctuary in Upper Hutt agreed to adopt them and Kim, a kind-hearted woman from Wellington, agreed to travel up from Wellington to collect them and take them to their new home. All that stood in the way of the rescue was travel costs of $200. SAFE immediately agreed to cover the cost allowing the two porcine girls to be on their way. But not without drama.... From Linda Nunn of Animal Re-Homing:
Thank you to each of you who in some way played a part in this rescue...I have repeatedly discovered that when compassionate hearts beat as one, miracles are possible. The wonderful Kim Hunt shouldered the bulk of the physical rescue by driving a van up from her home on the Kapiti Coast to Auckland, staying overnight and then driving back to the sanctuary before finally returning home at about 11pm. Not having an ideal vehicle, Kim and her partner specifically purchased an old van from the side of the road, which they are now attempting to sell again. Kim's story below: Well, getting Greta and Garbo in and out went very smoothly. With the help of ots of people, family and co-workers the pigs were herded gently, coaxed with food, up to some makeshift gates and gangways into the back of the van where I had layered many blue tarps and cardboard on top of carpet. I made a big nest of straw on top with straw bales either end of the van and a modified pallet at drivers end to keep them in the back. But they were so placid and just slept.... they were fantastic. I spoke to them when they grunted and tried to reassure them. They were calm and fine for the most part. Just the occasional grumpy grunt when they rearranged themselves (Garbo mostly I think!). Everyone's prayers kept me going...especially in the pouring rain on the side of the highway halfway between Tokoroa and Putaruru when the van started missing and I had to get a tow! I was so worried about my "babies" in the back. I was nearly in tears in Tokoroa with no mechanic available and my stuff on the ground in the rain trying to fix the van with two panting piggies in their nest... But I put some fuel injector cleaner in the petrol and tried again and the gods smiled upon us! When we got to Caroline's they were patiently coaxed out with food and down onto a hay bale and into their new area surrounded by all their new friends. Caroline and Jim were patient and calm and I'm sure this helped the pigs. It was so no fuss both ends and this couldn't have been better. Caroline and her partner are lovely and Greta and Garbo are welcome there forever. They are lovely little critters and they will be extremely happy and loved and cared for at the Sanctuary...rest assured. So it's definitely happy endings.
27 January 2007
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