Operation Lola: Rescuing Animals, Restoring Hope
Operation Lola has rescued and provided refuge for countless survivors!
While we can’t rescue all the animals in animal agriculture, we know that Operation Lola can heal the animals who have been rescued, and fundamentally impact — often with lasting change
Meet Ollie
Having to surrender your pig is a painful and undesirable situation, and this was the case with Ollie. Her human family could no longer care for her because of a city ordinance in place that they failed to research prior to bringing Oliie home to live with them. Then there was the “space limitation” as Ollie grew in size, along with improper diet that caused weight gain beyond her normal weight.
Ollie was surrendered to Operation Lola in August of 2020. The team at Operation Lola contacted friends in Bulverde TX who maintain a beautiful sanctuary/farm for pigs just like Ollie, with similar stories. We met Ollie and transported her to her new forever home where she now has plenty room to explore, exercise, root, dip in her piggy pool and play with other pigs and goats.
Meet Petunia
Petunia lived with her owner, but when her owner passed away, Petunia was left alone. Family members came to the home to feed Petunia every other day, but since they knew nothing about Pigs and how to care for them, they fed her dog food.
After a while, the family realized they needed to surrender Petunia because they were not able or interested in caring for her.
We received a call from our Rescue Network, and quickly made arrangements to pick up Petunia and drive her to the Triple P Sanctuary in Lufkin, TX where owner Steve Reece would welcome her and provide a beautiful home for her along with many, many more pigs already settled there, just like her. It was heartbreaking when we first met Petunia. Neglected, alone, severely overweight and her hooves were so overgrown it was difficult for her to walk. Fast forward to today – Petunia is doing fantastic at the Triple P Sanctuary! We visited her recently and she has her own little piggy house that she shares with her roommate. They are the best of friends and she has made tons of friends. She’s been groomed and has lost some weight and is living her best life.
Meet Amal
Meet Amal
Kill pens are brutal and inhumane. All breeds of Horses get sent here for a number of reasons…maybe being undervalued or imperfect. In Amal’s case, she had lost sight in one eye, so she was of no value to her previous owner.
A lovely woman with a rescuer’s heart contacted us about Amal and asked if we would be interested in rescuing her from the Kill Pen. We said YES and immediately made arrangements with her to bring Amal to safety. Meeting Amal was magical – she was stunning, strong and so sweet. We allowed her time to roam, run, play with the other horses on the farm and adapt to her new surroundings. After a month or so, we enrolled Amal at the Agape Ranch where she started her horse training.
Today, she is living her best life!! She has proved to be the most beautiful, kind, attentive, smart and resilient girl! Recently, she survived a life-threatening infection in her leg. We drove her to Texas A& M Veterinary School of Medicine, where she stayed for 10 days while the Dr’s and medical staff successfully treated her and released her. Thanks to the generosity of donors, all her medical expenses were paid in full. Operation Lola has not assumed responsibility for Amal’s care and boarding at a local farm, privately owned by a loving family who are seeing to it that Amal lives her best life everyday! She has so many horse friends she socializes with along with piggies, donkeys, turkeys and so many more. A beautiful life for a beautiful horse, our precious Amal
Building a pig house
In response to the growing needs of one of our rescuer farms, faced with an influx of rescued piggies, we took action to enhance their living conditions. Recognizing the importance of providing comfortable and secure housing for these cherished animals, we purchased materials and successfully constructed our first piggy house. This initiative marks the beginning of our commitment to ensuring the well-being and happiness of the piggies under our care, with many more houses to follow as we strive to create a safe haven for all.
Meet Paul and Inky
Paul and Inky were saved from euthanasia following a year of testing in a research lab.
We heard about Inky and his roommate, Paul through a local rescuer. Inky and Paul grew up in a lab and were used as research subjects. The rescuer had heard that Inky and Paul would probably be euthanized as is the norm for many labs where animal testing takes place.
The animals are euthanized after research is completed.
But thankfully, in this case, we were able to make arrangements with the Medical research team and request to adopt both Inky & Paul following their completed research. The Medical team had actually grown very close to these two precious piggies and were really happy to oblige. Since then, this lab has recently started a program to adopt out animals.
Inky and Paul are now enjoying and living their best lives in the Texas Hill Country! Inky featured here took a dip in his very own swimming pool and Paul stepping on soil for the first time and smelling nature.
But thankfully, in this case, we were able to make arrangements with the Medical research team and request to adopt both Inky & Paul following their completed research. The Medical team had actually grown very close to these two precious piggies and were really happy to oblige. Since then, this lab has recently started a program to adopt out animals.
Inky and Paul are now enjoying and living their best lives in the Texas Hill Country! Inky featured here took a dip in his very own swimming pool and Paul stepping on soil for the first time and smelling nature.
Meet Chapo and Simona
Living in filthy conditions, small confinement, malnourished, lacking clean water Chapo and Simona, a father and daughter duo were in a desperate situation. They were neglected by their owners – because they thought they were getting mini pigs that stayed under 35 lbs. They are not mini pigs, and because they grew, they were no longer fed or provided for and were kept in a locked pen with limited ventilation.
After rescuing Chapo and Simona we embarked on a 100 mile trip to the Vet. Once Chapo and Simona were in our possession we made sure to hydrate them with fresh clean water, crisp leafy greens and juicy red apples coupled with alot of love. Speaking sweetly to them and assuring them everything was going to be okay.
Fast forward to today: Happy Ending! Chapo and Simona have since been adopted together, and are now living their best lives on a beautiful Texas Hill Country Farm where they have settled in and have tons of new friends. Hanging out with horses, goats, donkeys, lamas and turkeys - not a bad ending! We see them often and they are so smart - they remember us and run out to greet us. What a gift it is to receive love like this!
After rescuing Chapo and Simona we embarked on a 100 mile trip to the Vet. Once Chapo and Simona were in our possession we made sure to hydrate them with fresh clean water, crisp leafy greens and juicy red apples coupled with alot of love. Speaking sweetly to them and assuring them everything was going to be okay.
Fast forward to today: Happy Ending! Chapo and Simona have since been adopted together, and are now living their best lives on a beautiful Texas Hill Country Farm where they have settled in and have tons of new friends. Hanging out with horses, goats, donkeys, lamas and turkeys - not a bad ending! We see them often and they are so smart - they remember us and run out to greet us. What a gift it is to receive love like this!
Meet Gibby
Gibby’s owners were moving to the city and couldn't take Gibby with them. When we met Gibby, he was so sweet. He had a really hard time walking because his hooves were so overgrown, they painfully curled up. He was overweight and because of his heaviness he had developed mechanical blindness. This is a condition that occurs when a pig gains so much weight that rolls of fat close in over the eye sockets and block out their vision.
We arrived in Baytown, TX and Gibby’s new home was absolutely beautiful but after a couple of days, we returned to pick him up. Turns out - Gibby had “special needs” that require more time and care than his new family were able to provide. Fortunately, through our network of rescuers, we located a family in Oklahoma who take in pigs with special needs and provide care, nurturing and love.
Recent Update on Gibby: He’s lost 30 pounds and can see! Thanks for the great nutrition Oklahoma Family!
PIG NUTRITION: Many people who keep pigs as pets don’t understand what pigs need to eat in order to stay healthy. We’ve noticed that some pigs have lived on diets of everything from dog food, pizza, sugary sweets and heavy carbs like mac ‘n cheese. Gibby is not the first pig we pick up with mechanical blindness. Take note - here's a nutritious diet for a pig- Lettuce, other veggies, fruits, fiber and pumpkin for starters. Don't forget pigs need lots of water, clean water!
Our beautiful rescues
