and on his farm he had a pig ... and on his farm he had a pig ... That’s the philosophy of the new Pegasus Animal Sanctuary located on an idyllic 97-acre rural property on Scugog Line 3. The farm fields and woodlands are the perfect setting to provide homes for abused, neglected and abandoned animals, to give them a chance to live out the rest of their lives in a caring, loving environment. Co-founders Rita and Jack Hurst have formed a board of directors comprised of people with valu- able experience to share. The board includes Toronto zookeeper Jackie Craig, who works with exotic ani- mals such as zebras and tigers, and Sherri Delaney, the former owner of Storybook Farm, the primate sanctu- ary near Sunderland, once home to the famous Ikea monkey. Named after the mythical creature, Pegasus is a non-profit organization in the process of seeking charitable status. The next step is to seek fund- ing and volunteers who are enthu- siastic about caring for animals and their environment. A grand opening was planned for June 16. The first animals to be welcomed to Pegasus were a pair of male pigs who were found abandoned in a barn last December. They were about six months old at the time. Fully grown now, Bert and Ernie got their names from a social media contest. Just like their namesakes, the famous Sesame Street TV characters, Bert and Ernie are lovable. The first orientation day for volun- teers was held on Saturday May 26, in the barn where the rescued pigs and cats reside. A dozen interested peo- ple, including adults and youth, had the opportunity to get to know the friendly critters. Bert and Ernie put on a show playing with balls and eating fresh apples. Tearing up cardboard is another interesting enrichment activ- ity for pigs. Pekoe, one of the two cats, is always happy to be petted. The porcine twosome has settled in well to their new home at Pegasus Animal Sanctuary, receiving veteri- narian care for a pink eye condition and being “fixed.” Their daily diet in- cludes fresh fruits and vegetables as well as chop, corn, crackers, biscuits and some dog kibble. Pigs like to for- age for food, so scattering it around or hiding it under hay is interesting for them. Don’t leave the door to the cat room open, Jack warned, or Bert and Ernie will go in there and devour all the cat food pretty quickly! Pigs are smart enough to use their strong snouts to bang on doors until the latch opens, he added. “They are curious and smart, and they know their names,” Jack said. He told an amusing tale of “taking the boys out for a stroll” in the farmyard. Ernie came back to his pen in the barn cooperatively. Shaking an old cottage cheese container full of dried corn, a favourite treat, lured him in. But Bert must have been singing the song “Born Free” in his head. It took Jack and volunteer Taylor Vaz two hours to try to entice Bert back inside, trying to gently corral him in between two brooms. “Saving just one animal won’t change the world, but it will surely change the world for that one animal” ~ Author unknown ~ Pigs Bert and Ernie, first animals to join the couple of dogs and cats at the new sanctuary. Owner Jack Hurst takes a break in the barn. brooms. ...................... Please turn to page 5 PHOTOS BY LYNN CAMPBELL FOCUS - JULY 2018 3