2013 grant request

Lil’ Orphan Hammies

Grant Request Submission to--->Enter Name Here<---

Prepared for: --->Enter Name Here<---

Prepared by: Jane Mäger, Secretary, Lil’ Orphan Hammies

August 15, 2013

Contents

Summary........................................................................................................................................ 2

Organizational Information.............................................................................................................. 3

Background................................................................................................................................... 4

Prior Achievements........................................................................................................................ 4

Grant Proposal Results............................................................................................................. 10

Needs & Target Population.......................................................................................................... 11

Assets............................................................................................................................................. 12

Anticipated Results......................................................................................................................... 13

Benchmarks ................................................................................................................................... 13

Barriers to Success.................................................................................................................... 14

Key Staff........................................................................................................................................ 14

Above: Breed Ambassadors Duke, Bridgette, and Sarah hit the classroom to greet and teach!On the Cover: Volunteer Sarah works with rescue-pig Wiggles.

SummaryThe regular cycle of media-frenzy, unscrupulous

breeders, and unprepared/uninformed owners has been leaving miniature pigs homeless since the late 1980s. Often over-bred and sold under false pretenses, miniature pigs (including Vietnamese Potbellied, Kunekune, Göttingen, and crossbreeds thereof) are marketed on their diminutive size. Unfortunately, the final size and needs of these animals are routinely misrepresented, resulting in a demand for animals that don’t actually exist. Tiny, unweaned piglets are sold under fictitious breed names with meaningless “guarantees” and falsified information about their age, size, weight and needs; all in the name of commanding a higher price. Many such piglets are selling for hundreds, and even thousands, of dollars. Sadly, this often results in the neglect, abuse and abandonment for hundreds of miniature pigs who exceeded their owner’s expectations for size, behavior, and care.

Online searches reveal the names of new breeders on a monthly basis; sometimes more frequently. While some newer breeders are well-intended but misinformed about the “breeding stock” they have purchased; many others still intentionally mislead potential owners; offering false assurances for an animal that will never be able to meet their standards. In addition to employing abusive tactics such as inbreeding, and starvation, many breeders are now advertising, selling, and shipping days-old piglets in order to maintain the fiction of a “Micro” or “Teacup” pig. New owners are often given misinformation that results in the further starvation and/or improper care of their new pet.

A simple Google search for miniature pigs yields a list of national and international breeders claiming to sell “Teacup Pigs,” “Micro Pigs,” “Super-Micro Pigs,” “Micro-Mini Pigs,” “Pocket Pigs,” “Juliana Pigs,” “Thimble Pigs,” “Nano Pigs,” “Tiny Pigs,” and of course “Dandies” and “Pixies.” Many breeders claim to be the sole “true” purveyor of such animals. None of these names, conjured up by breeders to suggest a diminutive size, are true breeds of pig; nor are they true “size classes;” nor do they accurately reflect the final size or needs of the animal. For many of these animals, unwanted after they fail to meet impossible expectations based on fiction and misinformation, a sanctuary such as ours will be their only real opportunity for quality of life and proper care, and often their last stop.

Since 1992, Lil’ Orphan Hammies has actively engaged in rescue, and worked to be at the forefront in turning the tide on misinformation. More than one thousand miniature pigs have entered our gates to

safety and the chance to live as a pig. We remain active in rescue, providing networking and funding assistance as well as directly accepting animals in need. We offer regular outreach and access to accurate information. During the last three years, we have expanded our outreach online, utilizing Google AdWords and social media in addition to our website.

But, as our reach expands, and as our work grows and evolves, we must also recognize that we could never achieve our goals alone. The realization of every endeavor is dependant on, and beholden to, generous gifts from donors like you. We manage funds closely to ensure excellent care for our resident pigs and appropriate management and upkeep for our sanctuary and our equipment. With what remains, we work to further our outreach; to bring the public accurate information on which they can depend; to raise awareness about the plight of miniature pig breeds worldwide.

As such, we hope for, and sincerely appreciate, your continuing financial contribution to our organization. Your gift will help us cover the costs of feed, veterinary care, utilities, labor, general maintenance, and improvements to our sanctuary, as well as our expanding outreach programs. Additional goals in need of funding include the acquisition of a vehicle shelter, targeted ads via Facebook, printing educational materials and a new quarterly publication that will provide both news and educational articles, and the development of a targeted, searchable online database which will allow our website viewers to connect with sanctuaries, vets, and other resources.

Left adrift by the unexpected passing of his owner, Bentley was one of the first rescues to arrive at LOH in the new Hammie Van! Originally underweight and aggressive, Bentley is now doing well and proving an excellent breed ambassador! You can read more about Bentley at: http://tinyurl.com/bentleypig

Organizational InformationAfter more than twenty years of rescue, our

organization continues to serve pig owners in need of assistance and provide sanctuary to pigs that have been neglected, abused, or abandoned. Our primary duty is to provide excellent care and enrichment to the pigs that have come to call Lil’ Orphan Hammies their home. Spanning 5 acres in beautiful Solvang, California, our sanctuary provides permanent respite for pigs that are elderly, infirm, or otherwise unadoptable. We place adoptable pigs in approved homes whenever possible, and adhere to strict policies with regard to euthanasia; never euthanizing an animal unless it is suffering from a mortal injury, terminal illness, or an incurable condition that is causing chronic suffering and prolonged decline.

Our dedicated 501(c)3 non-profit corporation is headed by a small, dedicated board. Sue Parkinson, CEO & Executive Director of Lil’ Orphan Hammies, is also the founder of the organization. Sue handles daily operations, scheduling and overseeing maintenance and visitors alike. She is the primary caretaker for the pigs—providing food, water (and medical treatment under veterinary advisory), as well as being the adoption coordinator and a first responder for rescue efforts. CFO, Judy Wilson and Vice President, Russell Alverson bring their financial planning and accounting expertise to the table; handling bookkeeping as well as helping to educate others about the needs of the animals and being on deck for public events. Their careful

management of Lil’ Orphan Hammies’ operating funds ensures that we continue to meet the needs of our pigs year after year. Susan Warner assists with animal care management. From time to time, other volunteers serve our sanctuary as well. Contractors and laborers are hired as needed.

Lil’ Orphan Hammies has facilitated the rescue—and adoption whenever possible—of more than one thousand miniature pigs. We are steadfast in our commitment to rescuing miniature pigs in need. As we continue our mission, we seek not only to rescue, but to reach out and educate, and to provide information and support that will help keep pets in their homes, and to stem the tide of misinformed consumerism that leads so many pet pigs into precarious positions.

Our public outreach is forever expanding. Thanks to our new cargo van, we’re back in action for both rescue and education. Parades for local events such as Danish Days in Solvang, California and Old Santa Ynez Day in Santa Ynez, California, have proven excellent ways to raise awareness and gain local support and we are looking to add more. We continue to seek outreach and education opportunities within the media. Recent rescue “Patti,” the cumulative endeavor of multiple organizations and volunteers, made the news earlier this year. We were also involved with, and featured in, an excellent article published in the New Times in April. Last year, our article was re-published in the Animals edition of People magazine. We even had the pleasure, and good fortune, of hosting Jack Hanna at our sanctuary in 2011, and an episode for his popular TV nature series Into the Wild features Lil’ Orphan Hammies! Past press has included news segments and nature documentaries for PBS, CNN, and The Today Show; as well as published in People, Potbellied Pig Magazine, The Los Angeles Daily News, The Los Angeles Times, and The Santa Barbara New Press. During 2012, our outreach continued to expand via social networking tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Causes. We have already achieved more than anticipated in this venue; social networking has opened an avenue for owners and prospective owners to contact us with questions, as well as garnering the financial support needed to purchase a new cargo vehicle for our sanctuary. Our following has grown markedly and we will be seeking to increase that number via the purchase of targeted ads. We also piloted a sponsorship program this year!

Other continuing goals include development of free publications to provide information to pig owners and enthusiasts and to combat misinformation, as well as the launch of a quarterly publication, and the addition of an annual charity dinner event.

Our following on Facebook continues to grow; and, with it, community participation! As we educate those who follow

our page or ask for help, they, in turn, pass along information and advice to others; information that helps pigs and owners!

BackgroundIn 1992, Susan Parkinson began opening her heart

and her home to unwanted potbellied pigs. By 1994, Lil’ Orphan Hammies was a busy 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Although the faces of the board members, volunteers, donors—and even the pigs!— have changed over the years, our core values and our purpose remain the same.

For more than twenty years we have been rescuing and caring for Potbellied and other miniature pigs; completing our due diligence to ensure safe, happy adoptions; providing training and rehabilitation services to pig owners and fellow rescue organizations; networking with shelters and rescues to ensure good outcomes for unwanted pigs; assisting pigs and owners by dispelling misinformation spread by unethical breeders, and educating the public with regards to size, zoning, and how best to meet the needs of their animals.

In April of this year, Lil’ Orphan Hammies was featured in the New Times by writer Nick Powell. Entitled This little piggy was controversial, Nick’s article focuses strongly on the nature and prevalence of misinformation surrounding the care and keeping of miniature pigs as pets. Lil’ Orphan Hammies was consulted for information, and rescue-pig Milton’s former owner stepped forward to tell the story of her family’s experience as well. Followed up by an excellent piece by the New Times infamous “Shredder,” this volume packs a one-two punch when it comes to getting the word out for pigs!You can read the full article at: http://tinyurl.com/newtimes-loh

You can find the Shredder’s musings on mini-pigs at:http://tinyurl.com/shredder-teacup

Prior AchievementsDuring 2012 and 2013, Lil’ Orphan Hammies

successfully increased rescue and adoption services, including rescue collaborations with the Kris Kelly Foundation, STAND, Rock & Rescue, and SCAMPP. Thanks to the new cargo van, we have also had the opportunity to take pigs into the classroom to educate. Continued rescue efforts throughout 2012 and 2013 have resulted in the intake of no less than nineteen pigs to our sanctuary, as well as the provisioning of rescue and placement for many other pigs in need via our network. Four of our pigs have been adopted, moving on to loving new homes, during the last eighteen months, and two have a confirmed adopter who will welcome them home after they complete their stint as breed ambassadors in our outreach programs. One new rescue-piglet is currently residing off-location at a small—but very busy!—local resort in order to raise awareness for our organization and educate visitors about the realities of miniature pig needs and growth. While we continue to promote adoption, many of the others—largely elderly and special-needs animals—will make Lil’ Orphan Hammies their “forever home”.

This March, we bid a fond farewell to “Betty” and “Otis,”—a gentle mother and son duo—as they left our pastures for a loving new home at the Arroyo Grande Care Center. There they will receive fantastic care and lots of special attention as they, in turn, provide enrichment to the facility’s special-needs community. While their time at Lil’ Orphan Hammies was filled with love and everything that they needed, we were excited for them to have the opportunity to be adopted—even after all of these years!—and we couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome!

April saw the arrival of “Patti,” whose story is not only a success in that she made it to sanctuary, but also in that her story, and the collective efforts of all of her rescuers, made the news. Patti’s “full-coverage” arrival provided an excellent opportunity to educate via local media, as well as raise awareness for the organizations involved. Patti’s rescue also attests to the results we can achieve when we plan, communicate, and network together for rescue.

April also brought us a fantastic opportunity to interview with San Luis Obispo’s New Times, which featured our sanctuary in an excellent article focussing on the misinformation surrounding miniature pigs and the subsequent negative outcomes. (As I write this, we are also in preparation for an interview on the radio show Off-Ramp, broadcast by Southern California Public Radio station KPCC 89.3 fm!)

Arnold II lived under a trailer for a decade before coming to LOH in July, 2013. His owners loved him, but had never really

been in a good position to provide for all of his needs.

You can read more about these rescues by visiting http://facebook.com/LilOrphanHammies and viewing our Rescue Log!

Petunia II arrived in July, 2013. Sold as a “Tiny Pig” at just 3 lbs, her owners quickly realized that an L.A. apartment was no place for her. She currently serves as a breed ambassador at Alisal in Solvang, CA.

Last Summer, our article on miniature pigs was re-run in the Animals edition of People magazine; prompting new folks to contact us with questions about miniature pigs. Timing could not have been better. With new breeders surfacing every month, having a wide-reaching vehicle for correct information is imperative and we seek, and hope for, additional opportunities of this nature.

Website development continues at a moderate, but steady, pace. We now provide free, printable, information pieces for prospective owners and activities for kids, as well as adoption forms, and there is more to come—our online breed directory will soon be complete! We have been active with our social networking; managing our pages and feeds on Facebook, Twitter, Causes and YouTube, and now boards on Pinterest. Social media has allowed us to reach out and educate in ways we never imagined we could. Pinterest provides us with a venue to easily and graphically represent facts about miniature pig breeds and care while maintaining a

fun and welcoming social-networking environment. In addition to promoting our organization, Facebook has proven valuable for interfacing with people seeking advice about feed, veterinary care, and behavior issues. We get requests for assistance or advice, as well as adoption inquiries, almost every day!

Our social media activity in 2012 also resulted in the donation of all funds needed for our new 2013 cargo van; and, continued efforts throughout 2012 and 2013 have increased awareness, support, and donations for our organization! We have also realized excellent results from our Google AdWords campaign; which currently drives most of the traffic to our website (http://lilorphanhammies.org) as well as providing an enormous boost to the number of email and phone inquiries we receive. This sustained boost in traffic and communication not only raises awareness and support for our organization, but also allows us every opportunity to provide information and advice to prospective owners before they talk to a breeder.

Obese and fat-blind, Patrick was welcomed to LOH in June, 2013. His owner loved him, but had been feeding him 4 times

the amount of pig feed he should have been receiving.

19 year-old Tippy came to LOH in June, 2013. He had outlived his owner. Labeled as “aggressive” by remaining family, he was actually suffering from an untreatable bone infection in his jaw. RIP Tippy.


Arnold came to LOH in May, 2013 after his owner’s severe decline in health necessitated hospice care. A victim of

unintentional neglect, Arnold is now doing much better!

Patti arrived at LOH in April, 2013, after the collaborative efforts of multiple rescuers and organizations garnered media attention. No longer a pound-pig, sweet Patti is very happy!

Wiggles (aka “Piggly-Wiggly”) came to LOH in January, 2013. He was found abandoned in the hills with a dislocated limb and air-rifle shot throughout his body. His rescuers still keep up with him!

Boss was rescued, by a member of our network, from a life of abuse as a bait animal. She asked if he could come to LOH. How could we say no to that face? He moved to LOH in March, 2013!


Bentley arrived at LOH in December, 2012, after the unexpected death of his owner left him without a home. A

bit thin when he arrived, Bentley is now healthy and happy!

Pierre made his way to LOH in November, 2012. Originally placed through another rescue, Pierre’s adopter was unable to handle his aggressive behavior around food. Now he gets to be a real pig!

Fat-blind and overweight, Gordy came through our gates in September, 2012. His owner’s severe decline in health

necessitated that he be re-homed. He is slowly losing weight!

Sarah (formerly “Penelope”) arrived at LOH in October, 2012 after being sold to unprepared owners as a “Tiny Pig.” She was quickly adopted and now lives happily with Bridgette!


Rolls & Royce arrived in the night during our Danish Days preparations in September, 2012. They had been abandoned in

the dessert with 2 pregnant sows. They are slowly learning to trust!

Blueberry came to LOH in August, 2012, because her family was losing their home. She was a much loved pet, and the

long-term goal is to reunite her with her family!

Milton, sold as a “Super-Micro,” arrived at LOH in April, 2012 after his owner became concerned for his safety. He has grown

so much! He will be adopted with Petunia in the near future!

Petunia was rescued from her fate as “dinner” by a good samaritan in May, 2012. She already has a home (along with Milton) promised to her once she finishes her ambassadorship!


Bridgette (formerly “Viola”) made her way to LOH in March, 2012. Sold as a “Dandy,” her owner had been promised she would not exceed 15 lbs! She was quickly adopted and is happy and healthy!

Overweight, fat-blind, and arthritic; Reggie came to LOH in February, 2012, after a farm veterinarian advised that his owner shoot him if they could no longer keep him. He is slowly improving!

Grant Proposal ResultsOur humble rescue operation has endured and

grown. We continue to explore new opportunities for outreach to provide education and support to pig owners and enthusiasts. Every step of the way, we must review our actions and their efficacy, and evolve to meet changes in market, media, and the publics response and demand for—and subsequent disillusionment with—miniature pig pets. Absent the generous gifts we receive from donors like you, it would be unlikely for our efforts to reach much beyond a local level. To date, the kindness of supporters like yourself has allowed us to ensure a healthy and plentiful diet, adequate shelter, and proper veterinary attention for every pig that steps through our gate. As this is our top priority, we cannot thank you enough for your charity. As we persevere and improve, we routinely review our opportunities, options, and associated expenses.

Our foremost duty, as always, is to provide for our dependants; the sanctuarys seventy-plus Potbellied and miniature pigs. Feeding and bedding constitute the bulk of our general operating expenses, and we insist that animals in our care receive excellent nutrition; regardless of continued increases in cost and changes in availability. Food and bedding will always be our largest, and most highly prioritized, operating expense.

Veterinary care constitutes a significant portion of our annual expenses. Promoting the good health of our pigs and ensuring adequate and timely veterinary care are not areas where cutbacks could ever be considered. Spaying and neutering are also crucial to our program. In addition to requiring the spay or neuter of all pigs residing at Lil’ Orphan Hammies, we sometimes assist other rescues and foster volunteers with spay and neuter costs for their pigs. We expect our veterinary costs to increase again slightly in 2014 as our senior pigs continue to age and fees for services continue to rise.

This year, we successfully planned and completed an extensive re-fencing project. While our former sanctuary fencing was not to a point of decay such that animal security was an issue, the age and level of wear did make it a concern to be proactively addressed; and, we are grateful to have had the funding to make it happen. We were also able to extend our waterlines! This August, we will be realizing the completion of our project to expand electricity to outlying areas of the sanctuary to better serve our herds—particularly those with special needs—and we are grateful for this ability as well.

Of ongoing and increasing importance is the need procure greater general funding; sufficient to allocate money for regular part-time labor and cover much

needed assistance that cannot always be safely and effectively completed by volunteers or board members. Examples include repairs to enclosures, housing, watering systems, and fencing, as needed. Having access to such funding annually will ensure that regular maintenance and upkeep are completed correctly and in a timely fashion. We estimate a need for four hundred and eighty hours per year for such work, and a cost of $7,200.00 for 2014 alone; and, the cost to cover grading and the removal of debris (unusable shelters and foliage) will exceed $1,000.00.

With our new van and trailer allowing us to extend our rescue and outreach operations has come an increase in expense for both insurance and fuel. As we move forward in 2014, we anticipate an annual cost of $1,400.00 for insurance and $3,000.00 for fuel. Ensuring our ability to meet these costs ensures our ability to actively participate in rescue and outreach, as well as transportation for veterinary care and adoption events. In order to protect these recent investments, we will also be seeking to purchase a prefabricated vehicle shelter. Our initial research yields an estimated cost of $4,500.00 for purchase and installation.

As we walk our walk, talk our talk, and serve the animals of our sanctuary; and, as inflation and economic factors continue their timeless, escalating dance; our expenses—likewise—increase. Your generous outpouring has long supported our walk, our talk, and the animals in our service. Words could never adequately express the appreciation we feel for your support; your confidence in our organization and our cause. We thank you for your kindness and your contributions; then, and now.

In March of this year, a long-awaited and very important sanctuary-wide re-fencing project was planned and realized;

thanks to funding received from our generous donors.

Needs and Target PopulationsOur organization serves three target populations;

the first and foremost of which are the miniature pigs that call our sanctuary home. Each pig that enters our gates is treated with the quality care and respect due all living creatures. We ensure healthy diets—often personalized to address unhealthy weight or malnutrition, feeding or eating disorders and other medical concerns—for every animal. Each population’s needs are addressed and met with the proper balance of appropriate miniature pig feed, fresh veggies, fruits, and occasional treats. Our spacious enclosures provide adequate access to sun, shade, shelter and bedding, and water. Our residents are provided with proper and timely veterinary attention. No matter how varied the needs, each is attended to with great care. Pigs with social or behavioral issues receive special support and training. Whether Lil’ Orphan Hammies is their “half-way house” or their “forever home,” we provide our charges with a safe, wholesome and comfortable place to live.

Our second target population is the public; particularly pig owners, prospective pig owners, and pig enthusiasts. We provide information and resources for pig owners in need of assistance with general care and feeding; training and behavioral issues, growth patterns and healthy adult weight, finding a qualified veterinarian, zoning ordinances, and much more. We also provide prospective pig owners and enthusiasts with talking points and concerns to be aware of when considering the adoption or purchase of a miniature pig, and alert them to warning signs that often go unnoticed. We frequently receive calls from owners who have already purchased pigs, realized that things are not going to be what they expected, and need assistance negotiating a return to the breeder or assistance re-homing their pet. When unscrupulous breeders provide misinformation to prospective owners, the pigs are not the only ones to suffer; well-intended owners suffer when they have to separate with their pet, deal with the stresses of unexpected damage to their property, are refused the refund or return policy on their high-priced designer pet, or when they learn that they have been providing improper care that has negatively effected their beloved pet’s health. Our outreach efforts have facilitated a significant increase in the number of owners and prospective owners contacting us for information and assistance; and, we continue to expand our efforts in order to meet this growing need. When we provide information and support to this second target population, we are subsequently helping our first target population as well!

Our third target population consists of fellow rescues, sanctuaries, and volunteers who foster animals. We actively network with our colleagues to exchange information and lend support to rescue and adoption initiatives. We share information between veterinarians, Animal Regulation officers, rescuers and shelters to promote accurate facts and best practices among all who may encounter miniature pigs in their profession. By engaging in an active network, we are able to help other rescuers, and they help us too. Our sanctuary is a finite space. Not every pig in need will make it to Lil’ Orphan Hammies, but facilitating an active network keeps us in the fight. We are able to—rather quickly—scramble resources for foster or sanctuary placement and provide medical services and, later, adoption placement if all goes perfectly. Every pig saved through our network is a pig that will not: be euthanized in the pound; be used as a bait animal in a fighting ring; be butchered and eaten by an amateur; continue to suffer the neglect or abuse of an uneducated or uncaring owner. By assisting our colleagues we are, once again, automatically serving our primary target population as well.

While our services are given freely, they are not without cost. Every rescue, every outreach event, every offered assistance, has a price tag attached that must be paid through our organization. By default, our greatest need takes the form of a financial gift. While in-kind donations are also helpful, it is the level of outside financial support we receive that determines our course and either deters or enables our success.

In March of 2013, mother and son duo “Betty & Otis” were warmly welcomed at their new home. Betty & Otis—both

middle-aged Potbellied-crossbreeds—were adopted by the Arroyo Grande Care Center, where they will spend

their remaining years being loved and well cared for while providing enrichment to the facility’s residents.

AssetsTangible:

5 acres of real estate in Solvang, California, the ȇcurrent location of our sanctuary

Pig shelters, feeding and watering stations, and ȇfencing

Out-building with office supplies ȇ

Storage sheds ȇ

Scion XB (commute and publicity vehicle) ȇ

Ford F-150 Cargo Van (animal and supply ȇtransport)

Trailer ȇ (customized for both event supply use and the safe transport of larger animals )

PC Computer ȇ

Liquid :

Financial gifts and grants ȇ

Intangible:

Sue Parkinson has more than 20 years experience ȇworking with miniature pigs. She brings to the table a unique vision and understanding as well as being the primary animal caretaker and key educator.

Judy Wilson lends her financial skills to financial ȇmanagement and bookkeeping as well as assisting with outreach events.

Russell Alverson manages all tax paperwork ȇand filing related to our organization as well as assisting with outreach events.

Susan Warner assists in caretaking the pigs. ȇ

Our website, ȇ www.lilorphanhammies.com

Formerly shelter-bound, “Patti” arrived safely at LOH in April of this year; thanks to the collaborative work of many volunteer rescuers and fosters within our network. Patti’s story made the news as well; helping raise awareness about the plight of miniature pigs.

In 2013, we secured the funding to maintain sanctuary operations, as well as expanding our resources, educational outreach, rescue operations, and realizing necessary sanctuary improvements. Most of our

funding takes the form of generous financial gifts, including the much appreciated annual contribution you have arranged in support of our efforts. In 2014, we plan additional sanctuary improvements and to continue with the expansion of outreach and educational materials and programming.

Anticipated ResultsSupposing that we achieve our 2014 funding goals,

we will continue to progress with upgrading and managing our sanctuary, participating in rescue adoption events, and the outreach resources and programs towards which we have diligently been at work.

As our work is continued this following year, we anticipate:

Our Sanctuary Will Remain Open: ȇ General operations will be covered. Our pigs will be happy, well fed, and well provided for. We’d like to increase our ability to welcome visitors and volunteers too!

Continued Increase in Rescue: ȇ With adequate funding and our new rescue and transport vehicle, we made good on our 2013 goal to actively re-enter the rescue scene. With continued support for 2014, we anticipate an ongoing increase in rescue and adoption activities!

Increased Capacity for Intake & Care: ȇ Updating our shelter system to better meet the needs of our aging population, and the ability to pay for labor and assistance as needed, will also allow us to better provision for new arrivals as well.

Improved Recognition & Outreach: ȇ 2013 saw an extensive increase in outreach efforts for Lil’ Orphan Hammies. With ongoing improvements and additions to our resources and materials, we will continue to actively raise awareness and interest in our organization. Not only do we want to be known; we want to be recognized as a reliable resource and active rescue. The ability to attend more events and give presentations will allow us to meet and work with more interested parties face-to-face.

A Greater Reach: ȇ Utilizing new collateral, the addition of paid ads through Facebook, presentations and event attendance, and our website; we will continue to expand our outreach capabilities. Our network will continue to increase towards a national capacity. Viewers will have access to factual miniature pig resources; not currently available elsewhere. Our messages of caution will continue to combat the “micro-pig craze” on an increasing scale. We are working to provide finished, free, guides and materials in order to promote; the distribution of accurate information solidarity, and best practices.

BenchmarksAs always, the primary measure of our success with

Lil’ Orphan Hammies is the health and happiness of our resident pigs. This is a benchmark that we meet each and every day. Additional benchmarks that we will use to gauge our success in the coming year are as follows:

The number of rescues ȇ in which we are able to actively participate.

The number of maintenance projects ȇ that are completed. As good weather and the availability of labor are contributing factors, the success of this endeavor will be reviewed quarterly.

Website visitation ȇ , which will be monitored via site traffic reports from our host and Google Adwords. This will be reviewed on a monthly basis.

The number of positive responses ȇ to our Facebook advertisements. This will be reviewed on a monthly basis. Facebook provides tools to monitor these numbers.

The number of sponsorships ȇ we receive. While this will be reviewed monthly; comparing end-of-year figures for multiple years will be most important in determining success.

The number of events ȇ and outreach activities in which we participate. This will be reviewed annually.

In 2013, some very special Girl Scouts hand-painted name placards for each pig in the sanctuary; then paid a visit to

LOH to spend a day on our grounds installing them!

Barriers to SuccessPrimary barriers to success, regularly faced by our

organization, include: ensuring operational and outreach funding; public misconception; breeder-initiated misinformation and backlash.

Our greatest barrier to success is always that of funding. While we continue to diversify our resources, ensuring that funds are available to cover both general operating expenses and additional program expenses is always a challenge. Year after year we have secured funding to ensure proper care of the animals in our sanctuary. With the cost of fuel, insurance, bedding, feed, and veterinary care ever on the increase; it is imperative that we regularly review these areas of expense to guarantee that every animal at Lil’ Orphan Hammies receives the quality life and care that are due to them; and, that we are able to keep our doors open for other pigs in need. With regards to outreach, we have been slowly building our library of collateral; but many of our outreach goals have not yet been realized due to lack of funding.

Public misconception remains an ongoing challenge. “Micro” and “Teacup” pigs continue to flood the media, such that it is often difficult to convince pig enthusiasts that these are not true breeds or realistic expectations. Even otherwise-skilled veterinarians are finding the separation of fact from fiction to be a challenge in their work. Pigs exceeding owner’s expectations for size and care are often mistreated and/or abandoned before finding their way into rescues. Once branded as undesirable, they can be difficult to place for adoption. Increasingly, we also encounter the attitude that “Rescue pigs are damaged goods,” and therefore, “adoption is not a good decision.” With the expansion of our outreach materials, and other aspects of our five-year-plan, we will continue to tackle these misconceptions head-on.

Breeders remain a significant barrier. Fighting the misinformation spread via unscrupulous breeders, and echoed by the media, could be compared with slaying the mythical Hydra. As we made headway in dispelling the myth of “Micro” and “Teacup” breeds; breeders deftly switched gears and began promoting these fictitious names as “size classes” instead; as well as representing themselves as educators. We have also been made aware of breeders making such false statements as, “Pigs in sanctuaries are all overweight. They are not supposed to get that big. If you don’t overfeed your pig, it will stay under forty pounds.” Once customers agree to buy, there is little chance that a breeder will be amicable about a return or refund when pigs get “too big.” We continue to develop and implement new strategies in order to protect pigs and owners, and facilitate positive change.

Key StaffOur dedicated board of directors includes:

Susan Parkinson, CEO & Founder ȇStreet Address • Solvang, CA 93464 Phone: (000) 000-0000

Judy Wilson, CFO ȇ Street Address • Buelton, CA 93427 Phone: (000) 000-0000

Russell Alverson, VP ȇStreet Address • Buelton, CA 93427 Phone: (000) 000-0000

Jane Mäger, Secretary & Media Manager ȇ Street Address • Concord, CA 94521 Phone: (000) 000-0000

Susan Warner, Animal Care Coordinator ȇStreet Address • Buelton, CA 93427 Phone: (000) 000-0000

Our sincere thanks for your time and consideration!

2014 will see the website addition of a comprehensive breed directory. In addition to helping visitors accurately identify breeds and crossbreeds, the directory will supply external resources and address the application of fictitious names.

2013 grant request

Design