We’re Paddy's Pasture

About Paddy's Pasture

Paddy's Pasture in a small 501(c)3 non profit sanctuary and rescue located in Central Virginia. Founded in 2019, our mission is to provide sanctuary, aid in rescue, protect and advocate for animals in need. We strive to provide the best lives for all of our residents, and to offer assistance to other rescues whenever possible. We believe that every animal deserves a chance at a forever home, proper care, attention and LOVE.

What We Do

Join Us to Make a Difference!

Sanctuary & Rescue

Helping Those in Need

Advocacy

Reinforcing Our Commitment

Rehabilitation

Step-by-Step

How You Can Help

Your Support Means Everything

We Need Your Help!!!

Spring is here and our new fundraising initiatives are underway!

Make sure you like and follow us on social media to keep up with all the animals and learn how you can support our efforts to provide sanctuary and rescue to those in need. Head to the bios above for social links located below each animal profile.

Want to make a one time or recurring monetary gift? Paddy's Pasture accepts donations via PayPal and Venmo.

For our supporters who prefer to make cash or check donations, you can do so by mailing them to our P.O. Box.

Venmo & PayPal: @paddyspasture

Mailing Address: Paddy's Pasture

17132 Mountain Rd.

P.O Box 96

Montpelier, VA 23192

Donations in any amount are always appreciated and are such a huge part of how we are able to keep saving lives and providing sanctuary.

Tell Your Friends!

One of the best and easiest ways you can help us- and other sanctuaries and rescues like us- is to help us spread the word. Like, follow, and share us on social media. Invite your friends to do the same. Tell people about what we're doing, about the animals we've saved, about fundraisers we're having, etc. Word of mouth is such a big deal and exposure is everything. Always feel free to engage with us on any of our platforms. Our followers are like an extension of our family and we love being able to share this wild ride of rescue with each and every one of you!

Want to learn more? Follow us on social media and subscribe to our blog!

To the blog!!!

Meet the Pigs

Frank

Frank is a wild man. Full of personality and not shy when it comes to telling you how he feels. He likes to act tough, but really he's a sweet guy that doesn't like to show his softer side. Frank came to us in 2019, along with his brother Charlie, and is one of the founding residents of Paddy's.

Charlie

Charlie is the opposite of Frank. He is sweet and affectionate and loves attention. Charlie is the other founding resident of Paddy's. He and Frank both came to us as piglets. Their mother was found wandering roadside in West Virginia and was taken in by Good Samaritans who found her refuge at a local cat rescue. Unbeknownst to her rescuers, she was heavily pregnant and shortly after finding safety, she delivered her litter.

Mac

The big guy.

Mac was originally rescued when he was found listed on a classifieds site as potential 4th of July BBQ at six months old. He was saved from a cruel fate and given sanctuary for several years at a rescue in North Carolina. When COVID hit, many rescues nationwide suffered greatly, with countless having to shut down. Mac's rescue was one of those. We saw an SOS on social media, saw his face, and just couldn't turn him away.

Mac is an imposing figure at a whopping half ton, but he is a gentle giant. We often compare him to a thousand pound cat.

Carmen

We were contacted about Carmen in July 2020. His story and pictures were heartbreaking. A backyard butcher in North Carolina had raised him to slaughter, and decided to castrate him at six months old. After a horrifically botched DIY neuter, Carmen was left lame, unable to move, let alone stand or walk. Infection set in and he was refused any veterinary care or antibiotics- in hopes that he would magically recover- so he could still be deemed edible. Thankfully, the farmer's daughter reached out for help and the farmer agreed to surrender. Today, Carmen is a completely different pig. He runs and plays and loves hard. All that is left of his past life are the scars.

Dennis

One afternoon we were alerted to a little farm piglet who had been picked up by Richmond Animal Care and Control. He had been spotted loose in the city and a caring citizen kept him safe and made the call that led him to us. Dennis was appx 4-6 weeks old when he arrived here. Shortly after his rescue we received a message from the person who had found him, telling us people in the area had seen him in the weeks prior, locked in a dog crate in someone's backyard. We don't know if he was let loose or if he busted out- but we are so thankful that we got to show him the good life as early on as possible.

Artemis

Artemis was purchased from a breeder and was an indoor/outdoor pig for the first almost year of her life. Unfortunately, her humans separated, and her primary caretaker moved out, leaving her behind. Her remaining human no longer wanted to deal with Artemis and was about to set her loose in the woods, when someone stepped in and offered her the safety of foster. This lovely human reached out to Eastern Snouts and they got to work looking for a forever home. Artemis was just a few towns away so we felt like it was a sign. After a quarantine, full vetting including spay, and being introduced to other pigs for the first time- she has really come out of her shell. This girl is a diva and is not afraid to show the boys that she is the queen of the little pigs.

Meet the Dogs

Chloe

Our sassy senior. Chloe is one of our first ever rescues. She was found at a county shelter in Tampa, FL. She was timid and all alone and just a tiny little thing. She has been with us through thick and thin, multiple cross country moves, introduction of new pets, human children, as well as there to say goodbye to pets that have passed. She has been a constant for us for years and it's a gift to be able to still have her with us. Chloe was diagnosed with Cushing's last year and has been declining recently- she is now a hospice case. We are doing everything possible to keep her comfortable and content in the time that she has left, but we will not hesitate to make the difficult decision necessary if it comes to the point where it is no longer able to offer her the quality of life she deserves.

Boomer

In 2014, right before a huge storm that would lead to local flash floods, with the temps at around 106 degrees F, this little dog entered our lives. We saw Boomer walking the hot streets of San Antonio, TX and scooped him up to keep him safe. After asking neighbors, making flyers and posting all over social media, we were left with no leads to him people. He had no chip. No tags. No way to find where he came from. As the months passed and no one came forward, it was clear- we were his humans now.

Walter

Just a few weeks after our dog passed from a short battle with an aggressive lymphoma at only 4 years old, Walter was sent to us to help mend our broken hearts

Walter was the last of his litter (just like our previous dog). He was very fortunate to have been born in foster and cared for by one of Fluvanna SPCA's awesome volunteers. Walter is very sweet and very needy- in typical bully fashion. He loves a lap. Loves his kids. And in general, just loves. He is equal parts protector and goofball and he has been kept us smiling since the beginning.

Douglas

Through no fault of his own, Doug found himself in need of a fourth home in just a little over one year of life. He was originally purchased from a breeder, by a family who wanted him to be their LGD. At six months old, they decided he wasn't a good guard dog, and listed him on a popular classifieds site. From there he went on to his new family, who cared for him dearly, but life changes forced them to part with him. Not wanting him to end up in a shelter, they reached out in a public social forum trying to find him a new home. The same day, we met Doug and his human in a pet store parking lot, and the rest is history. Joke is on the second family that fired him as a puppy- he is an excellent guard dog- and an even better cuddler.

Meet the Cats

Diego

The sweetest old man you'll ever meet. Diego was surrendered to the Humane Society as a 12 week old kitten. At almost 17 years old, he is our oldest resident, and has been with one of our founders since being rescued. Diego is the patriarch of the Paddy's farmhouse gang. He enjoys long naps, his nightly catnip, and knocking over unattended cups of water.

Liberty

After years without a feline companion, and the request of several Paddy's family members to welcome a kitten into our lives, we found a local community cat rescue who was doing a pop up adoption event and this feisty little cat joined our farmhouse family. Liberty Bell is in charge of all things involved with biscuit making and keeping the dogs in line. She takes her work very seriously. In her off time she enjoys birdwatching and climbing her cat tree.

Liam & Ryan

A barn is only as good as the cats in charge of it.

When we found out that Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center had a barn cat program, we contacted them immediately. We told them we didn't care about age, sex, cuteness, or any other criteria- we just wanted two of the cats who had been there the longest. Turns out both of these boys were pretty spicy and difficult to place. They'd been in the shelter for close to a year, had been picked up in the same area, and liked each other enough that they shared a kennel. Obviously we knew we had to keep them together forever and give them a safe place to spend the rest of their days. Liam and Ryan want nothing to do with us or any humans, but they know where their home is, and they have made it their jobs to scare off any unwelcome pests and keep our barn and feed safe and sound.

Meet the Chickens

Lil' Kevin

Another Richmond Animal Care and Control alum, Lil' Kevin is our resident rooster. He is a beautiful boy, with a mean streak and true vocal talent. He may not be nice, but we love him anyway.

Sunny

This chicken is a warrior.

Sunny found herself in the very rough situation of being the only hen amongst an otherwise bachelor flock for an extended period of time. She was beat up pretty badly and her person knew she needed a safer life. When she arrived here she had a bald back and was guarding one of her legs. A trip to the vet provided discovery of a massive wound filled with necrotic tissue. We were warned that sepsis was highly likely. We started her on a course of multiple medications and cleaned her wound twice a day. It was very touch and go for while. Sunny never gave up. She wanted to live so badly that she survived through everything that came her way. Today, Sunny is a healthy and happy bird. She doesn't let her bum leg slow her down and loves riding in her stroller and taking in the views.

Jane

Miss Jane Ponderosa is our most recent rescue. After the rest of her flock was killed by a predator, her human wanted to find her a new home where she could be with other animals. Jane was very stressed after the horrific events she witnessed, and very lonely. After a short period of time warming up to her new surroundings, Jane has warmed up to her life here and is a very sweet and curious young hen.

Get in Touch

Hi there,

We love hearing from our followers!

Whether you just want to say hi, check in on one of your favorite residents, share a rescue story with us, or help us with fundraising and donations, don't hesitate to drop us a line, anytime!

Thank you for your support.

With Gratitude,

Lisa McCarron

Executive Director

Paddy's Pasture

17132 Mountain Rd. P.O. Box 96, Montpelier, VA 23192

paddyspasture@gmail.com