By Jason De Leon
Record-Courier staff writer
Taking a once in a lifetime journey for Pigs Across America, 10 rescued pigs at the Happy Trails Animal Sanctuary in Ravenna will take a trip Sunday morning to a new home in California.
The pigs, brought to Happy Trails because they were not treated humanely, will travel about 2,500 miles in a "piggy limo," a double-decker semi trailer, to a larger facility at the Humane Farming Association's Suwanna Ranch in Elk Creek, Calif.
On about seven square miles of land, Suwanna Ranch is the world's largest farm animal refuge, according to the HFA Web site, www.hfa.org.
"This endeavor will open up much more room at Happy Trails so we can help the next abused, abandoned and neglected farm animals who arrive in a humane officer's van at the sanctuary's gates," said Annette Fisher, executive director of Happy Trails.
The pigs, with names such as Baby Anastasia, Pearl Jam, Montel, Rusty and Chloe, will make six stops in major cities, including Chicago, Ill., Des Moines, Iowa; Cheyenne, Wyo., Salt Lake City, Utah, Reno, Nev., and Sacramento, Calif.
The piggy limo will leave at about 10 a.m. Sunday from the Tractor Supply Company in Ravenna at 1149 E. Main St. The public is encouraged to attend and wish the pigs farewell, Fisher said.
Animal lovers can track the pigs' travels on the Happy Trails Web site, www. happytrailsfarm.org. Those interested in messaging the pigs can send e-mails to news@happytrailsfarm.org.
"Notes will be posted on our Web site for all to read," Fisher said.
In part with Pigs Across America, an entourage of bikers will participate in Hogs Gone Wild, escorting the pigs as far as California.
A $25 donation to Happy Trails will register bikers. With a $50 donation or more, bikers will receive a free Pigs Across America T-shirt. Bikers can register Monday at 9 a.m. at Tractor Supply.
The biker expedition, along with other donations, is a fundraiser for Happy Trails, in attempt to raise $25,000 to cover the pig's travel expenses, as well as raise funds to care for farm animals that arrive at the sanctuary.
Pigs can be sponsored for $1 per mile, for as many miles as an individual chooses to donate.
"Be sure to read the piggy's biographies to choose which piggy you'd like to sponsor," Fisher said.
As sponsorship, Pigs Across America T-shirts also can be purchased for $15, ranging in sizes from youth-medium through adult 3x. T-shirts will be sold at Sunday's departure event and on Happy Trail's Web site.
"Do not fear that there will be no pigs left at the sanctuary for you to visit," Fisher said. "There will be plenty of pigs as well as other farm animals such as draft horses, regular horses, ducks, geese, goats, chickens, pot belly pigs, and more to enjoy when you visit the sanctuary."
Happy Trail Farms will host its Summer Fundraiser and Festival June 24. For more information visit the sanctuary's Web site or contact its office at (330) 296-5914.