When people visit Kindness Ranch for the first time, they’re often surprised to meet pigs, not just any pigs, but former research animals now living peaceful, joyful lives in open fields and cozy barns. These pigs come from labs and now, they’re getting the chance to simply be pigs, and that transformation is something worth supporting.

Here’s what makes these pigs special, how they’re used in research, and why their second chance matters.

Who Are These Pigs?

The pigs who arrive at Kindness Ranch come from a wide range of research backgrounds. Some were used in pharmaceutical studies or surgical training. Others were part of medical device trials or dermatological research. Many come from miniature breeds like Gottingen or Yucatan minipigs, specifically bred for research due to their smaller size and consistent genetics. But we’ve also welcomed larger breeds, Yorkshire, Landrace, and even Durocs, each with their own personalities, quirks, and needs.

What they have in common is this: they’ve spent most of their lives in controlled, clinical environments. Once their part in a study is complete, they no longer have a role in the research setting. That’s where we come in.

Life After the Lab

At Kindness Ranch, we believe animals who’ve served humans deserve more than a quiet exit, they deserve a full life.

When pigs arrive here, some are shy. Others are surprisingly curious. Most have never touched grass, felt sunshine on their backs, or rooted in the earth. We take the time to introduce them slowly to the outdoors, to other pigs, and to the daily rhythm of sanctuary life.

And what does that life look like?

• Rolling, grassy fields to explore at their own pace
  
  

• Mud wallows for cooling off and just having fun
  
  

• Spacious, temperature-controlled barns for safe, cozy sleep
  
  

• Compassionate caregivers who speak softly, move gently, and show respect
  
  

• Freedom of choice, whether that’s to sunbathe or nap inside, play or rest alone
  
  

We don’t rush rehabilitation. We let each pig decide what healing looks like.

Why Support Matters

Providing sanctuary isn’t just about giving pigs a place to live. It’s about investing in the life they were never allowed to have.

Pigs are intelligent, social, emotional animals. They recognize their names. They form friendships. They remember kindness—and they respond to it. But caring for them, especially after years in research, takes resources: specialized diets, veterinary care, behavioral support, and secure housing adapted to their size and needs.

Your support gives them more than safety. It gives them joy, dignity, and the freedom to finally live on their own terms.

Meet the Survivors

Every pig at Kindness Ranch has a story. Some were born into labs and never saw daylight until they arrived here. Others were part of long-term studies and needed time to learn to trust again. Now, they spend their days lounging in the sun, rooting in the dirt, and learning what it means to be part of a herd, not a protocol.

They’ve served in a life they didn’t choose. Now, they deserve peace.

How You Can Help

• Support a Pig: Help cover the cost of care for one of our permanent residents.
  
  

• Visit the Ranch: Meet the pigs and see their transformation firsthand.
  
  

• Donate: Your gift supports feed, medical care, and expansion of our pig habitats.
  
  

• Share Their Stories: Help us educate others about the lives these pigs lead—and the second chance they’ve earned.
  
  

Be their "Kindness Caretaker" here

The story of pigs in research doesn’t have to end with the study. At Kindness Ranch, we believe it should end with love, dignity, and a whole lot of mud.