BATESBURG-LEESVILLE, S.C. — The Cotton Branch Farm in Leesville aims to help animals in any way that they can.
You can help them out too simply by cuddling one of their pigs.
Cotton Branch Farm Sanctuary is home to hundreds of pigs, ducks, turkeys and more. They provide a safe home for abandoned, abused, elderly and disabled farm animals.
About 14 months ago, the farm became home to 550 pigs rescued from a hoarding situation in Kentucky.
These pigs are meant to be family pets and, in order to place them in good homes, the farm needs help socializing them. That’s where you come in.
“We have people come out and spend about an hour at a time with them, three times a week," President of the farm, Josh Carpenter-Costner, told us. "Within a month they are generally totally ready to be adopted- they’re rolling over for belly rubs, they’re pursuing you for attention when you go in and that’s when we can move them out of the socialization area and move two others in who need socializing.”
Although having a pig as a pet is a bit different than a cat or dog, they can make great family members, according to Carpenter-Costner.
“They make good indoor, outdoor pets. They love being outside, but they are much quicker to house train than a dog. It could be a farm scenario or it could also be a house," Carpenter-Costner said. "As long you have about a quarter acre space, a good size yard for them to enjoy and don’t mind rooting they’re fine.”
So far, 400 out of the 550 that were rescued have been adopted.
Visit their website to learn more about adoption and volunteering opportunities.