Mission Statement

The Ironwood Pig Sanctuary is dedicated to eliminating the suffering of pot bellied pigs in Arizona and surrounding states by promoting spaying and neutering, assisting owners and other sanctuaries, and providing a permanent home in a safe, nurturing environment for those that are abandoned, abused, neglected, or unwanted.

We are home to over 600 pot bellied pigs.

*** SUMMER IS HERE!!! DON'T FORGET TO PROVIDE SHELTER, SHADE, AND PLENTY OF WATER FOR ALL OF YOUR PETS. EVEN IN A COOL CLIMATE IT CAN BE HOT IN THE SUN!

From the President

September signifies the beginning of fall where the temperatures will at least begin to drop below 100. As always, the summer here in Arizona is the hardest season as temperatures soar well into three digits. This has a big impact on pigs and staff alike.

This has been the most difficult year ever here at Ironwood. We have seen 33 of our companions leave us behind; many were our old and most beloved friends. Nothing can prepare oneself for this nearly weekly sense of loss and grief that we have experienced these past 9 months. Some days I wonder if I will make it to the next. Many have had a good long life and have passed on as any old person or animal does as they come to the end of their life span. We are here for them to administer medical care where possible or hospice care when we know there is nothing more to be done for them but let them go with dignity.

We know the years ahead will be even more difficult as many more of our friends reach the end of their lives. But we take comfort in knowing that we fulfilled our promise to give them a good home forever and to love them well. The sanctuary is forever changed by the loss of so many of our familiar faces and grunts we are used to hearing. As they go on to continue their journey, the gates of Ironwood open to others in need of a place to call home where they can live out their lives as well in the presence of sanctuary.

Below is a quote taken from a Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary newsletter. Kay McElroy understands, like all of us who run sanctuaries or all who have ever loved and lost a beloved companion animal, the pain that comes with their loss, but we can never forget the love that they shared with us.

“ The cat that was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray. Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave them our hearts, they would be broken. But give them we must, for it is all they ask. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead - young and whole once more. “Godspeed, good friend, ” we say, “until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again. ”

Ironwood Celebrates Eight Years!

Shown here are many of our first pigs five years after our opening. Many of you are making this journey with us and you may recognize many of them from issues past.

June 10, 2001 we officially opened the doors of the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary. Claire and Popeye arrived that evening. Then on June 11th Misty and Tully came, June 12th Owen and Taylor, June 14th a litter of babies, June 15th Oreo came to our home and June 30th Blossom arrived along with Eddie and Flapjack. That rounded out our first month and filled the 8 pens we had constructed at that time, and the overflow went to our home and introduced me to my dear beloved Oreo.

Soon thereafter Pearl, Princess, Bubba, Mr. Pibb, Arnold, Benjamin and Oliver, Desiree, Pammy, Corky and so many others followed them. We built more pens and they were soon full, and we anxiously awaited the completion of our large 6-acre field. With a sigh of relief, our field was completed in early Oct. 2001 and we began the hard process of releasing our pigs out of the pens and into the fields. This is never an easy task since pigs sometimes fight furiously for their position in the herd, so these first few days were a prelude of what was to come and the beginning of subdividing our new large field to suit the capabilities and ages of our new family.

Since those early days in 2001 so much has changed. Our facility has grown and we now have a good well and storage for 40,000 gals of water. We hope to have power by this summer, and our staff continues to grow to meet the growing needs of our pigs. A large herd of pigs arrived from Pigs*A*Lot in January of 2002, as well as a small herd of less-able pigs from there. These became our East and West fields. Ben, Donna, and I had volunteered there and some of those pigs, like my Wilma, were the reason Ironwood became a reality. I had come to love some of the pigs so much and as Pigs*A*Lot grew to overflowing and more calls came in to take pigs we decided the only solution was for us to open another sanctuary. Of course this was not the solution nor will it ever be. The only solution is to stop the breeding, which we try to do every time we have the opportunity.

The years passed and more homeless pigs arrived and more field divisions were made. Nineteen arrived from a sanctuary near Phoenix and 7 from a large Florida rescue. In May of 2003 we purchased the Annex property, previously Pigs*A*Lot, where we had our beginnings, and our family grew by nearly 90 pigs. In July of 2004 St. Matilda’s was unable to continue and our family grew by 46, and in September of 2004 the final 30 pigs from Pigs*A*Lot were back home at our Annex.

We now have 440 (2006) (we have 540 in 2008) pigs living at our two facilities. We continue to take in more pigs as we find homes for others and are making every effort to keep our numbers stable. In all, over these five years, well over 600 pigs have been a part of Ironwood. Many have gone on to new homes and others have lived out their lives with us. We have been happy and fortunate to provide them a safe nurturing environment for the rest of their journey. Our lives are now co-mingled and we are making the journey together.

Employees Needed

Animal Care Providers

WANTED: Trustworthy, caring person who loves animals to live at and work at the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary, a non-profit pot bellied pig sanctuary located near Marana, AZ, a rural area of southern Arizona one hour drive north of Tucson. Experience with working with animals and medical knowledge is a plus. The ability to work with others is necessary.

This is HARD work. Job duties include, but are not limited to, cleaning pens and fields, feeding, hands-on care of pigs who are disabled, injured, or sick, or general animal care and help with trimming tusks and hoofs. Handling 50# bags of feed and assisting with moving bales of hay to the various feeding stations. Must be willing to work some weekends and holidays as necessary. Five day work week is standard.

Housing is free and consists of one of the following depending upon availability: a bedroom with private bath and large walk-in closet, a 40 foot completely self contained 5th wheel trailer, a 35 foot completely self contained 5th wheel trailer, and a bedroom with shared bathroom. Utilities are provided. TV and high-speed internet access is available in all accommodations. We can accommodate companion animals.

References and background are checked. No drugs period. Non-smoker and vegetarian preferred.

The Ironwood Pig Sanctuary is located in Marana, Arizona on 80 acres in a beautiful Sonoran desert habitat. The climate is moderate in winter and hot in summer. Summer daytime temperatures can be in the 100's with nighttime temperatures in the 60's-70's. The surrounding mountains are perfect for hiking. Southern Arizona is a premier bird watching area.

We are looking for a dedicated person who is ready to commit to the care of unwanted and abused pot bellied pigs. Is that YOU?