As an owner of pet pot-bellied pigs for the past 20 years, the advice I've received from Sioux Robbins and Rocky Bartels has been extremely helpful. I first read about the facility in a local newspaper and decided to donate some money. Then I was able to stop by and meet Sioux on a trip I was taking to visit family in California. There is no other facility in Colorado that gives as much caring and advice about these great pets as the Western Colorado Potbelly Pig Educational Health Center, Inc. Sioux especially has devoted her life to promoting the health and safety and protection of these animals. She has helped educate the public, influenced cities change their zoning laws to allows potbelly pigs as pets in communities all over the state of Colorado. She has been available via email and on the phone to give advice to many people (including me!) when a pig has been sick or just to answer any question I may have. Because of Rocky and Sioux, I have rescued and adopted more than one pig during the past 20 years. So, now, I too, am a life-long lover of these wonderful animals. They and their facility deserve to be recognized as a great non-profit organization.
Two years ago I was diagnosed with Leukemia. I was told I would have to undergo extensive Chemo therapy and had no one to help me with my blind 11 year old potbelly and 3 cats. As I searched the internet in a state of panic and I came across Western Colorado Potbelly Pig Educational Health Center I immediately sent an email to its owner Sioux. Before I knew it she had contacted me and told me she would be there for me. And she was. She had found a potbelly owner, just minutes from me, who said she would help me for as long as I needed her. To date, both of these ladies are my Guardian Angels. Then in June of 2012, the Waldo Canyon fires ran rapid in Colorado Springs, Co and I was told I had to evacuate. No one would take me with my potbelly and I refused to leave without him. So I call Sioux, once again. Please remember we still never met. She told me to pack up and head for Mac and I did. Sioux and Rocky put me and my babies up for a full week and "asked nothing of me". What does one do for such "kindness?" You spread the word!!!!! These are the most loving, caring and unselfish two people I have the "honor" of knowing. They have saved and care for potbellies that were used in experiments, have been abused or simply soon to be homeless. They ask nothing for their humanitarian efforts, but to continue their efforts. They love, provide medical care, food and shelter, protect and simply want the ones they help to live out their days in peace. I pray this true story will bring these two wonderful people the recognition they are so long over due.
I first met Sioux and Rocky Bartels when I moved back to Grand Junction from Jackson, WY in 1996. My son had given me a potbelly pig for Christmas while I was in Jackson. I brought him back here with me and about a year later, he became ill. I was unable to find a vet to care for him at the time and he died. I had heard that there was a wonderful lady living in Mack, CO. Everyone just called her the "Pig Lady". I drove to Mack and, by stopping and asking neighbors, I was able to find her. Sioux and Rocky were out in the yard vaccinating all of their pigs as I drove up. There was an air born virus going around that was carried by chickens. Pigs are very susceptible to it. Apparently, that is what killed my pig. Sioux listened to me and let me cry on her shoulder that day. A few days later I drove back out and she gave me a very sweet special needs pig named Diamond Rio. Diamond had some mental issues. She needed lots of extra understanding and patience. When Diamond was about 13 years old she developed arthritis and was having seizures. She needed around the clock care and supervision. Sioux and Rocky came to my house and took Diamond back out to the Pigasus for rehabilitation. I watched Sioux care for her lovingly every day for 6 months, administering medications, feeding her a special diet and sitting up nights with her, but it was her time to go. My sweet Diamond died in her sleep and we buried her in the Pig-A-Sus Uncle George Memorial Garden. I will always be grateful to Sioux for giving Diamond such a good quality of life until the end.
i was first introduced to this facility in 1999. since then i have become part of the family not only with the folks that are running it but also with all the pigs. you have never seen a more dedicated couple as sioux and rocky. sioux spends her entire day cleaning and caring for all the pigs and even has time to stop and give a belly rub or two in between chores while rocky brings home the bacon...so to speak!! each pig is housed in outdoor huts that are either packed with fresh straw and blankets or have radiant heated floors in their huts. their diet is pig pellets and corn and sometimes treats that are donated. these folks have spent the last 18 years caring for the potbelly pigs and rescuing from all over the united states. the real crown on this is that 90% of all funding comes right out of their own pockets. i have seen them give up things in their own lives just to make sure the pigs are well taken care of! the dedication and love that these two show these animals that would otherwise end up euthinized or abandonded it simply out of this world!!!! we all should be so lucky as to have someone like sioux and rocky scratching our bellies at night!!!! i nominate this rescue based on the love and hard work shown on a daily basis!
I have worked with the Bartles at their potbelly pig rescue and they really love the animals. Soiux takes very good care of the animals, has a lot of information on the raising, health and nature of these sweet animals. She takes in pigs that others have decided (for reasons only known to them) that they can no longer keep. This is a full time job. Any help is alway appreciated. She is very knowledgeable about these animals and very willing to share her knowledge. She has a group of handicapped children that come every year to spend the day with the pigs. The children, pigs and the rescue all have a great time. Please take a moment and look at her website and you will understand how special this rescue is.
We have been supporters of pig-a-sus over the years and finally at an adoption party held at the facility we came home with Bosco. Boscos are pot belly pig. He was a rescue pig from Arizona,he has been the best thing. It would be to wierd to not have him around . We have had Bosco for about 6 years. The love and comedy he gives willingly is undiscribable. Hes part of the family. Pig-a-sus being rocky and souix where great to work with and super helpful with everything to do with care and health of are pot belly pig. The love and care they give to the rescue pigs is unbelivable. Any help they get is always appreciated. Helping pig-a-sus always makes you and the pigs feel better. I really shouldnt say pigs because once you are given the joy to have one or help many there your family.
Pig-A-Sus Western Colorado Potbelly Pig Educational Center has been a life savior for me. In the summer of 2010, I flew back to my parent’s home in Maryland, and found myself adopting a potbelly pig. I had no idea I would be adopting a potbelly pig but unbeknownst to me, I would. Belinda, my potbelly piggy, had been abandoned as a foreclosure potbelly pig. My parents took her in, however this was a temporary arrangement as they are older, and already have four dogs. To be quite honest, I had no idea pigs had so much personality and love to give. Belinda would sit out in the backyard with me and would just listen to whatever I had to say. She would happily wag her tail and lay down for belly rubs. Needless to say I have fallen in love with Belinda and now comes the question of what do I do with her? I had contacted Sioux with Pig-A-Sus as I live in Denver, Colorado and don’t have room in my little condo for a pig. In addition my HOA won’t allow it. Sioux was heaven sent and she walked me through everything. She said if I could get Belinda on a plane out here then I could bring her to Mack, Colorado. So thus, Belinda flew from Maryland to Colorado. After a short stint in my condo, Belinda went to Mack, Colorado to the Pig-A-Sus. When I arrived I spoke with Sioux and she immediately eased my fears. She is the expert on potbelly pigs and has walked me through everything with Belinda. My goal is to buy a house here shortly and bring Belinda home, however there are many potbelly pigs Sioux and Rock y have taken in as they are unwanted or abandoned. It is absolutely amazing how much love Pig-A-Sus gives to the pigs, and how they care for them. They do so much for the potbelly pigs on so little funds, and with no paid staff. Pig-A-Sus is a great!!!!!