From Intake to Safe Forever
Agnes Swinehoffer and the Sandlot Babies
Rescue rarely starts calmly. It usually starts with urgency. With limited time. With an animal who needs help now.
Agnes Swinehoffer’s story is a perfect example of what happens after that first yes.
The Intake
We were tagged in a social media post about animals in desperate need of help. Several rescue groups were working together to place twenty Meishan pigs who were starving. All of the females were pregnant. One young pig was limping badly.
We made the decision to say yes.
We drove four and a half hours on short notice, worried about Agnes and her unborn babies. When we arrived, she was standing in ten inches of deep muck, struggling to walk, being knocked around by larger pigs.
As soon as we opened the crate, Agnes walked right in. It was as if she knew we were getting her out.
On the long drive back, she rested, snacked, and quietly settled in.
Stabilization and Trust
We named her Agnes Swinehoffer because she deserved a good name and to feel like she mattered.
Our farm veterinarian, Dr. Sarah Stalans, examined Agnes and immediately fell in love with her, calling her the best behaved pig she had ever met. An ultrasound confirmed moving babies and showed that Agnes was only eight to nine months old and early in her pregnancy.
Agnes was started on a slow refeeding program to safely help her gain weight. With consistent care, fresh fruits and vegetables, and plenty of snacks, she began to fill out. Her belly grew too.
Most importantly, Agnes learned she was safe. Trust grew day by day.
Birth and Around-the-Clock Care
Agnes chose the coldest night of the year to deliver her piglets.
We prepared the barn with multiple heat lamps and free-standing heaters. Because of the trust built over the previous months, Agnes allowed us to sit right beside her throughout the entire delivery.
This made all the difference.
We were able to dry the babies quickly, help them nurse right away, and monitor Agnes closely. On December 20th, Agnes gave birth to ten piglets. Sadly, one was stillborn and the runt did not survive. Eight babies were healthy and strong.
Within hours, they were nursing well, exploring, and astonishing us with how quickly they learned.
Growing Up and Moving Forward
The babies became known as the Sandlot babies. Seven boys and one girl named after characters from The Sandlot. They stayed with Agnes for eight weeks, receiving daily care, warmth, and proper nutrition.
Before adoption, each piglet was spayed or neutered and vaccinated.
Today, all eight Sandlot babies have been adopted in bonded pairs to forever homes. They recently celebrated their first birthdays. They are thriving, deeply loved, and living exactly the lives we hoped for them.
Agnes went from being fed once every three days to raising a healthy family and showing us just how resilient and gentle she truly is.
Why the Process Matters
Rescue is not just the moment an animal arrives.
It is the slow refeeding.
The veterinary care.
The trust-building.
The sleepless nights.
The follow-through long after the crisis has passed.
Agnes and her babies are proof of what is possible when animals are given time, patience, and consistent care from intake to safe forever.
This is what happens after we say yes.
