From the president
November 2025
Dear Supporter,
Yesterday, October 1, 2025, Jane Goodall passed away at age 91 while on a US speaking tour. She often said, “The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.” She challenged the scientific establishment of her time and helped change the perception of animals from objects to individuals deserving of respect and compassion. She consistently said animals are sentient beings capable of feeling a wide range of emotions and exhibiting complex personalities. She was an extraordinary person who spent her life advocating for animals of all kinds, the protection of the environment, and humanitarian causes as well. The world is mourning her death and hoping her wonderful legacy will continue on.
As the head of a large pot-bellied pig sanctuary, every day I experience the complex personalities of each pig who comes to live with us. Jane was quoted to say, “You cannot share your life with a dog or a cat and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings.” This quote is universal and can be extended to every pig, not just those at Ironwood; to every animal, not just those that happen to touch our lives. There are now hundreds, even thousands of animal rescues and sanctuaries around the country and the world who do their part to carry on Jane Goodall’s mission. But compassion and respect must extend beyond our gates. That is the hard part. We need hundreds, thousands of Jane Goodalls to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
We need more people to legislate and educate. Those of us in the trenches taking care of animals, often from unspeakable situations, are not able to reach out for the most part. Our time and efforts must be with those we have saved who are in need of our attention and our care. We can only hope that the animal rights organizations, the animal welfare organizations, the environmental organizations, and educators will continue to do their part to carry on the mission of Jane Goodall.
I have devoted this letter to the passing and works of Jane Goodall because I feel, as a supporter of Ironwood Pig Sanctuary, you clearly understand and support the idea that all animals deserve our compassion and respect as she believed and taught. We were told nearly 25 years ago that people would not support pigs, but you have proved them wrong. There are now many thriving Farm Animal Sanctuaries and Pot-bellied Pig Sanctuaries and Sanctuaries for every species teaching people that all animals experience feelings of love, playfulness, anger, fear and pain. When people begin to know that humans are not the only species capable of the same feelings and emotions that we experience, the tide may begin to turn for animals who share this planet with us. We have oh so far to go, but each step that we take brings us closer to a world with more respect and compassion for the animals with which we share the planet.
I wish you a Happy, Healthy, Compassionate Holiday Season. Thank you so much for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Mary Schanz, President & CoFounder
