From splashy pool parties at Animal Sanctuary to birthday bashes at their new home in L.A., three little pigs are living large.
Imagine coming home after a long day to three jubilant pigs racing to greet you with happy grunts and tiny hoofbeats. For Jennifer Nann, that joyful welcome is now a regular occurrence since adopting Albert, Waldo. Living large in Los Angeles, the trio recently celebrated a birthday with festive hats, tasty treats, and plenty of snorts, snoots, and snuggles.
“They just get so excited to see you — like dust in the wind, full force running right at you,” says Jennifer. “They’re so much fun. Total characters.”
Their big personalities shine even brighter now — but they got their start at the Sanctuary, where the days were delightfully muddy and frequently filled with the joyful racket of piglets on the move.
Piglet paradise
Some animals arrive at the Sanctuary carrying more than just a tiny suitcase — they bring surprises, too. That was the case with Delilah, a Vietnamese potbellied pig who arrived from a rescue group along with two other pigs, Brooke and Albert.
Soon after arriving, caregivers discovered that Delilah was pregnant. Just five days later, she delivered four bouncing babies: Waldo, Winston, Magnolia, and Josie.
With their tiny snoots, clattering hooves, and endless energy, the piglets quickly became the talk of Marshall’s Piggy Paradise at the Sanctuary. Zoomies broke out daily, and Winston — the boldest of the bunch — earned a reputation for shoelace nibbling (a no-no) and flopping over for belly rubs (absolutely yes) after splashing around in the pool.
From piglets to passengers
Meanwhile in L.A., Jennifer was daydreaming about adding pigs to her homegrown menagerie. She’d previously adopted goats from the Sanctuary and stayed in touch with the team. So when she heard about the piglets, everything clicked.
After coordinating the adoption and prepping their new home — with help from a handyman who built two cozy, custom piggy cottages — Jennifer set off on a road trip to pick up her snouted sidekicks. She even turned it into a birthday adventure for her daughter, who had never visited the Sanctuary before.
Originally, Jennifer planned to adopt just two pigs, Winston and Waldo. But when she met Albert, she fell in love and decided to take him home too. She measured her SUV, made sure three crates would fit, and hit the road.
“They were so good on the car ride,” she says, laughing. “Surprisingly quiet and easygoing.”
The sweet swine life
In no time, the pigs made themselves right at home — snuffling around their new yard, inspecting their custom cottages, and choosing their favorite spots to snooze (usually all squished together like sleepy potatoes).
“They all sleep together and pick a house each night,” says Jennifer. “When I get home late, I try to be quiet while prepping meals for the next day — but they always hear me. I’ll hear them rustling around, all piling out of (that night’s) house, and I have to tell them to go back to bed. It cracks me up.”
[Pig picks his person, takes his boss with him]By day, though, it’s full steam (and snouts) ahead. The pigs spend their time rooting, roaming, and relishing fresh fruits and veggies — especially if watermelon is on the menu. Albert keeps a watchful eye on the fun. According to Jennifer, he’s never a bore — though he might remind the piglets not to hog the watermelon.
“They follow you around and get so excited about food,” says Jennifer, laughing. “They’re just the best.”
From pool parties at the Sanctuary to bedtime rustles and birthday bashes in L.A., these pigs are living their very best lives — and bringing joy with every snort, oink, and happy hoofbeat.
Let’s make every shelter and every community no-kill in 2025
Our goal is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets.
Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.