The gift of tomorrow.

As 2024 winds down, we look ahead to our next year which will mark 9 years of Central Texas Pig Rescue working as a key player in the world of sanctuary and advocacy for pigs. With so much to reflect on proudly over these years - hundreds of lives saved and even more minds changed to 'see pigs differently' - we know one thing is for sure: there is still so much more we can do.

Nearly 9 years in, there are still so many 'basics' we're working to fund week over week that sometimes it feels we can never get ahead enough to tackle that next tier of work in the pig community. We have big dreams to contribute more impactfully to pig rehoming efforts, to help with pig parent coaching to keep pigs in their homes, someday helping to fund spay and neuter surgeries for families who can't afford it, growing our advocacy presence near and far, and of course rescuing more animals in need. But while we're still working hard to fill basic needs, dreaming big can feel far away and even, at times, foolish.

This next year as we trot towards a decade of CTPR, we hope to change this, but we can't do it without your help. Donating, volunteering in a multitude of ways, and sharing our needs are just some of the much-needed ways you can contribute to what we do.

Over these years, I think all of us at CTPR would agree: knowing and loving and caring for pigs makes us better people. There's a magic that happens when humans and pigs connect, and it's a magic that should reach more people. I know that in the scheme of 'big dreams' this one is one of the most powerful but it only happens with greater financial security for our organization and more humans dedicated to the efforts big and small that make CTPR run.

Every Giving Tuesday is a chance to give the gift of tomorrow to our current residents and the organization that is Central Texas Pig Rescue. With every 'tomorrow' there is new hope and new promise to continue being exceptional champions of these most worthy animals. 

What are the recurring basics?

These costs are always going to be a part of what we do! They're covered by most of our donations, especially any recurring donations like resident sponsorships and Patreon. Resident needs are met before anything else. They include:

• Feeding our residents (about $600 per week)
• Fresh water ($100-$700 monthly depending on the season)
• Our land (our mortgage is about $3100/month)
• Supplements for residents (about $100-150 per week)
• Medical care ($50k+ annually)
• Recurring infrastructure costs (our tractor financing is $350/month, our utility vehicle financing is $250, port-o-potty service costs $300)

What are the ways we can get ahead?

There are some infrastructure needs that, once completed, will help elevate our standard of care and take some of the challenges out of our routines, affording us more time to focus on helping pigs.

• 10x-ing our power to support the Community Center and GetWell Hotel (resident recovery suite) (about $17,000 for new panels and a structure to put them on)
• Completing the GetWell Hotel. This project morphed into our most important on-site structure, and with this evolution has come more complexity to its completion. This structure will become the hub of our animal care supplies and resources. We are about $7500 away from finishing the last of its needs.
• Road improvements. Our on-property roads have major chasms from erosion making them hazardous to drive. Road repair costs will be about $5000.
• A new generator (x2). With off-grid power we sometimes can't get enough of what we need from the sun alone, especially in the winter. Our simple generators are dirty and require so much maintenance, and after several years of managing with them, we are looking to purchase 2 propane generators for $2500 each.
• Paid staff. While we've always been proud of being a volunteer-run organization (and our team is genuinely incredible), the demands of the daily work and the growing needs of our residents mean we need to take our care to the next level as well. Our goal is to ramp up to 3 people employed at CTPR within the next 2 years. If you have an interest in sponsoring staff salaries, please email us at info@centraltexaspigs.org! 

And what's next for CTPR? Pigs have taught us to be optimistic realists, so the sky really is the limit. We thank you so much for your support, love, time, energy, and donations. We wish you happiness, health, love, and enchantment through the holidays and in the new year. 

Want to donate in a different way? Click here for stock gifts, and here for crypto gifts. 

Love,

Tracey, the CTPR team, & the Pigs (of course)