Walt's Big Adventure: A Trip to UGA for Surgery

**Help Give Walt a Fighting Chance!**

Walt's incredible journey from the brink of death to a loving life at Outsiders Farm & Sanctuary is a testament to resilience and hope. 

When his "farmer" decided to retire him from breeding, he confined Walt to a metal livestock trailer with a grated floor and no roof for six long months. In late June 2023, during a record-breaking heatwave, a concerned FedEx driver alerted us to a pig collapsed in that very trailer. Walt had been down for three days, suspected of suffering heat stroke, with atrophied muscles and a massive pressure sore. His “farmer” casually mentioned feeding him bologna sandwiches, while Walt struggled to drink water that spilled before he could reach it. He had nearly given up.

Initially, we thought it would be impossible to take in a large, intact male farm pig due to size and space but from the moment we met him, we couldn't control the urge to do whatever it would take to help him in whatever way he needed. 

Our friend Michelle went to assess the situation and found Walt completely unresponsive. I made the heart-wrenching decision to pick him up, intending to give him a dignified end. But when I arrived, I discovered his “farmer” chugging beer and joking about using Walt as a breeder. When I asked if Walt had a name, he just laughed.

I left with Walt as quickly as I could. Just a few miles down the road, something miraculous happened: I glanced in my rearview mirror and saw Walt standing tall like a bear. I couldn’t believe my eyes—this pig, once on the verge of death, was now up on his feet!

At the Animal Hospital, Walt continued to surprise us. He drank from a water bottle and even enjoyed some animal crackers. Dr. Megan, who had stayed late to help, said it would be a shame to put him down if he still had fight in him. Her belief in Walt inspired us all. Despite pigs being challenging patients, she saw potential in him and provided pain relief and antibiotics for his sore.

Walt battled through the odds to make a full recovery. He endured months of rehabilitation, laser therapy, and even faced life-threatening challenges—but he persevered. Today, he enjoys a pampered life in what we lovingly call Hog Heaven. He has his own room with padded floors, a supportive mattress, pig and goat friends, a massive wallow, and, most importantly, endless LOVE.

However, Walt now faces a new challenge. He has developed three suspicious growths, with the most recent appearing suddenly and growing large and heavy. At around 850 pounds, Walt needs the specialized care at UGA to ensure he has the best chance for a successful surgery to remove these growths. 

We are reaching out to you for help. Your support can make a difference in Walt’s life as we work to determine whether we’re facing benign growths or something more concerning. Please consider donating to help cover his medical expenses. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to giving Walt the care he needs and the life he deserves.

Thank you for being part of Walt's journey!