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2013 Grant Request
1. Lil’ Orphan Hammies
Grant Request Submission to
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Prepared for: --->Enter Name Here<---
Prepared by: Jane Mäger, Secretary, Lil’ Orphan Hammies
August 15, 2013
2. 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.
3. Page 2
Summary
The 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
achieveourgoalsalone.Therealizationofeveryendeavor
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
4. Page 3
Organizational
Information
After more than twenty years of rescue, our
organization continues to serve pig owners in need
ofassistanceandprovidesanctuarytopigsthathavebeen
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,
andgoodfortune,ofhostingJackHannaatoursanctuary
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!
5. Page 4
Background
In 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
outcomesforunwantedpigs;assistingpigsandownersby
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!
Youcanreadthefullarticleat:http://tinyurl.com/newtimes-loh
You can find the Shredder’s musings on mini-pigs at:
http://tinyurl.com/shredder-teacup
Prior Achievements
During 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
awarenessforourorganizationandeducatevisitorsabout
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!)
6. Page 5
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!
PetuniaIIarrivedinJuly,2013.Soldasa“TinyPig” atjust3lbs,her
ownersquicklyrealizedthatanL.A.apartmentwasnoplaceforher.
Shecurrentlyservesasa breedambassadoratAlisalinSolvang,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.Wenowprovidefree,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.
7. Page 6
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.
19year-oldTippycametoLOHinJune,2013.Hehadoutlivedhis
owner.Labeledas“aggressive”byremainingfamily,hewasactually
sufferingfromanuntreatableboneinfectioninhisjaw.RIPTippy.
You can read more about these rescues by visiting http://facebook.com/LilOrphanHammies and viewing our Rescue Log!
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!
8. Page 7
Wiggles(aka“Piggly-Wiggly”)cametoLOHinJanuary,2013.He
wasfoundabandonedinthehillswithadislocatedlimbandair-
rifleshotthroughouthisbody.Hisrescuersstillkeepupwithhim!
Boss was rescued, by a member of our network, from a life of
abuse as a bait animal.SheaskedifhecouldcometoLOH.How
could we say no to that face? He moved to LOH in March, 2013!
You can read more about these rescues by visiting http://facebook.com/LilOrphanHammies and viewing our Rescue Log!
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!
PierremadehiswaytoLOHinNovember,2012.Originallyplaced
throughanotherrescue,Pierre’sadopterwasunabletohandlehis
aggressive behavior around food. Now he gets to be a real pig!
9. Page 8
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!
You can read more about these rescues by visiting http://facebook.com/LilOrphanHammies and viewing our Rescue Log!
Rolls & Royce arrived in the night during our Danish Days
preparationsinSeptember,2012.Theyhadbeenabandonedin
thedessertwith2pregnantsows.Theyareslowlylearningtotrust!
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!
10. Page 9
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!
You can read more about these rescues by visiting http://facebook.com/LilOrphanHammies and viewing our Rescue Log!
Bridgette(formerly“Viola”)madeherwaytoLOHinMarch,2012.
Sold as a “Dandy,” her owner had been promised she would not
exceed15lbs!Shewasquicklyadoptedandishappyandhealthy!
Overweight, fat-blind, and arthritic; Reggie came to LOH in
February, 2012, after a farm veterinarian advised that his owner
shoothimiftheycouldnolongerkeephim.Heisslowlyimproving!
11. Page 10
Grant Proposal Results
Our 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.
Spayingandneuteringarealsocrucialtoourprogram.In
additiontorequiringthespayorneuterofallpigsresidingat
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
extensivere-fencingproject.Whileourformersanctuary
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
regularmaintenanceandupkeeparecompletedcorrectly
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.
Aswewalkourwalk,talkourtalk,andservetheanimals
of our sanctuary; and, as inflation and economic factors
continuetheirtimeless,escalatingdance;ourexpenses—
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.
12. Page 11
Needs and
Target Populations
Our 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.Ourresidentsareprovidedwithproperandtimely
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,andmuchmore.Wealsoprovideprospective
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.NoteverypiginneedwillmakeittoLil’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.
13. Page 12
Assets
Tangible:
5 acres of real estate in Solvang, California, theȇȇ
current location of our sanctuary
Pig shelters, feeding and watering stations, andȇȇ
fencing
Out-building with office suppliesȇȇ
Storage shedsȇȇ
Scion XB (commute and publicity vehicle)ȇȇ
Ford F-150 Cargo Van (animal and supplyȇȇ
transport)
Trailerȇȇ (customized for both event supply use and
the safe transport of larger animals )
PC Computerȇȇ
Liquid :
Financial gifts and grantsȇȇ
Intangible:
Sue Parkinson has more than 20 years experienceȇȇ
workingwithminiaturepigs.Shebringstothetable
a unique vision and understanding as well as being
the primary animal caretaker and key educator.
Judy Wilson lends her financial skills to financialȇȇ
management and bookkeeping as well as assisting
with outreach events.
Russell Alverson manages all tax paperworkȇȇ
and filing related to our organization as well as
assisting with outreach events.
Susan Warner assists in caretaking the pigs.ȇȇ
Our website,ȇȇ 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.
14. Page 13
Anticipated Results
Supposing 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:ȇȇ 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:ȇȇ 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:ȇȇ
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:ȇȇ 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:ȇȇ 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
increasetowardsanationalcapacity.Viewerswill
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.
Benchmarks
As 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 rescuesȇȇ in which we are able to
actively participate.
The number of maintenance projectsȇȇ that are
completed. As good weather and the availability of
labor are contributing factors, the success of this
endeavor will be reviewed quarterly.
Website visitationȇȇ , 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 responsesȇȇ to our
Facebook advertisements. This will be reviewed
on a monthly basis. Facebook provides tools to
monitor these numbers.
The number of sponsorshipsȇȇ 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 eventsȇȇ 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!
15. Page 14
Barriers to Success
Primary barriers to success, regularly faced by our
organization, include: ensuring operational and
outreach funding; public misconception; breeder-
initiated misinformation and backlash.
Ourgreatestbarriertosuccessisalwaysthatoffunding.
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 Staff
Our dedicated board of directors includes:
Susan Parkinson, CEO & Founderȇȇ
Street Address • Solvang, CA 93464
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Judy Wilson, CFOȇȇ
Street Address • Buelton, CA 93427
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Russell Alverson, VPȇȇ
Street Address • Buelton, CA 93427
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Jane Mäger, Secretary & Media Managerȇȇ
Street Address • Concord, CA 94521
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Susan Warner, Animal Care Coordinatorȇȇ
Street 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.