4th of July Pignic

Over 250 People Enjoy Pigs as Friends, not Food!
Animal Acres hosted its largest PIGNIC ever, with 252 fun-loving "Pignicers!" For most of our guests, it was the first time they had ever given a pig a belly rub, or enjoyed a veggie hotdog - and for many, it was an experience that will never be forgotten. One person wrote us;

"I visited Animal Acres last weekend (Pignic) for the first time, and at 71 am now a vegan, after reading the booklet given me in the gift shop...The visit to the farm last weekend really changed my life." - K. Clarke

Our annual PIGNIC also reached thousands more with media attention this year, thanks in large part to Animal Acres being featured on PBS's "Visiting with Huell Howser." NBC's "LA Around Town" encouraged Angelinos to go our sanctuary to celebrate the holiday weekend, noting: "We just saw quaint Animal Acres on Huell Howser -- perhaps you did as well -- and we're delighted to see that the animal haven is hosting its annual Pignic on July 4th. You like snouty, snorty beasties and things that cluck? There will be humans (you) feeding animals, in addition to games and other activities. Yay!"

Pignic participants enjoyed a day of sanctuary tours, veggie picnic foods, and old-fashioned field games (who can resist gunny sack races and watermelon eating contests?!) Kids young and old became "cows " and "pigs" thanks to our volunteer face-painters, and this year, everyone enjoyed a special reading of the new children's book "That's Why We Don't Eat Animals" by Author Ruby Roth. Roth's book (available in the Animal Acres gift store) is a needed addition to children's literature, providing a compassionate look at the plight of animals on factory farms, using gorgeous artwork and lively text to introduce vegetarianism and veganism to early readers.

Of course, it wouldn't be a pignic without food! Throughout the day, guests enjoyed Tofurky veggie brats and Lightlife veggie hotdogs cooked on the grill, Soy Dream icecream, vegan coleslaw (made with Veganaise), and R.W. Knudsen natural sodas and organic juices.

As always, a dedicated team of hard-working volunteers made the Animal Acres PIGNIC possible. Our heartfelt thanks to: Cathy Petrosky, Kelly Shapiro, Maria Thibodeau, Kim Tucker, Aouie, Monique Lukens, Aaron Leider , Michael Lewis, Jill Bosch, Leighann Hessler, Joel Hessler, Bobby Rock, Ciddy Fonteboa, Julia Stein, Alicia Pell, Michiko, Nabil Jamil, Sana Jamil, Fawzia Badi, Stephen Colley, Celine Dilfer, Ron Rediger, and Richie DeLuca.