Barn Sanctuary
About
Campaigns
Little Dude
Help Little Dude Get His Smile Back
Chelsea, MI • Barn Sanctuary
Little Dude has been a fighter since he was just four days old. The runt of his litter, Little Dude was discovered on a farm with a severe bacterial infection in his back leg after his siblings had chewed at it, leaving both the wound and bone underneath infected. Thankfully, a compassionate visitor saw that this tiny piglet desperately needed help and reached out to Barn Sanctuary who rescued him, giving him the chance at life he deserved. Now 9 years old, Little Dude has grown into a very big boy with an equally big personality — but unfortunately, his health challenges haven’t ended. Years ago, Little Dude fractured one of his tusks, requiring ongoing dental care. He has also struggled with painful gum disease that has already caused him to lose several teeth. For pigs like Little Dude, dental disease isn’t simply cosmetic. Without proper treatment, it can cause chronic pain, make eating difficult, and seriously affect their overall health and quality of life. Recently, Little Dude returned to Michigan State University’s Veterinary Medical Center for another much-needed dental procedure. Veterinarians extracted a troublesome molar and smoothed down overgrown teeth to make eating more comfortable. While he was under anesthesia, they also removed a small growth near his ear as a precaution. Thankfully, Little Dude handled everything like a champ and returned home with a favorable prognosis — and a healthy appetite for applesauce and pumpkin puree! But specialized veterinary care for a 726-pound pig isn’t inexpensive, and Little Dude will continue to need dental monitoring. Your donation will help cover the veterinary care that has given this once-tiny, injured piglet the opportunity to grow up safe and loved. Little Dude has already overcome so much. With your help, we can make sure dental disease doesn’t stand in the way of the comfortable life he’s fought so hard to have.
Lori
Help Lori Feel Like Herself Again
Chelsea, MI • Barn Sanctuary
Lori has called Barn Sanctuary home since 2018, when she and her best mate, Greg, were rescued from a hoarding situation. The two became Barn Sanctuary’s very first duck residents and have been closely bonded ever since. Lori is one of the sanctuary’s shyer residents. While she prefers to keep her distance from humans, she’s happy to spend her days alongside her duck friends—and rain or shine, one of her favorite things to do is swim in the pool. Recently, Lori’s caregivers noticed that something wasn’t right. She had lost weight during her last two health checks and began showing concerning changes, including broodiness, loss of appetite, and lethargy. Because Lori also has a history of laying soft-shelled eggs, her caregivers knew it was important to have her examined and make sure there wasn’t a more serious reproductive issue. Fecal testing revealed high levels of yeast and harmful gut bacteria that could explain why she hasn’t been feeling like herself. Lori is now receiving medication to relieve her gastrointestinal symptoms and help restore her health. Her veterinary team expects her to make a full recovery over the next few weeks, but she’ll need continued care and close monitoring along the way. After everything Lori endured before arriving at Barn Sanctuary, she deserves to spend her days feeling safe, healthy, and comfortable—with Greg and her other duck friends never far away.
Harper
Help Harper Battle Severe Arthritis
Chelsea, MI • Barn Sanctuary
Harper has always been a fighter. When she was just a tiny baby turkey, a local farm store employee reached out to Barn Sanctuary for help, afraid she wouldn’t survive. Harper was given the chance she desperately needed, and with plenty of love and dedicated care, she grew into the happy, beloved turkey she is today. Now, Harper needs help once again. After noticing that Harper developed a limp, a veterinary exam revealed severe arthritis in her left foot, particularly in her middle toe. Her caregivers began closely monitoring her condition, hoping they could keep her comfortable and prevent it from progressing. Unfortunately, the swelling in Harper’s foot has increased significantly. She returned to the veterinarian for radiographs and additional diagnostic testing, and the results brought difficult news: the arthritis had become much worse. Because Harper’s middle toe plays an important role in bearing her weight, amputation isn’t a viable treatment option. Her bones will continue to degenerate, which means there isn’t a surgical fix that can make this problem disappear. Instead, Harper’s veterinary team is focusing on what matters most now: keeping her comfortable and giving her the best quality of life possible. Her medication must be increased to help manage her pain as her arthritis progresses. For a sanctuary caring for rescued animals like Harper, the cost of ongoing veterinary care and medication can quickly add up. Harper was once a tiny, sick turkey whose future was uncertain. She fought her way through those difficult early days and grew into a healthy, happy bird surrounded by people who love her. We want to make sure that as she faces this new challenge, she continues to receive that same level of care. Your donation will help provide Harper with the veterinary care and medication she needs to stay comfortable. Every contribution, no matter the amount, helps give this special girl more comfortable days ahead.