Beloved rescue pig dies 7 years after arriving at sanctuary for hospice care
- Feb 4
- 2 min read
February 4, 2026
Leah Crowley
TIVERTON, R.I. (WPRI) — When Jack the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig and his sister Diane arrived at the West Place Animal Sanctuary back in 2019, the pair wasn't expected to live more than a few weeks. But against all odds, Jack went on to live nearly seven more years at the Tiverton rescue.
The sanctuary announced on Wednesday that Jack died on Jan. 30 "surrounded by his family and friends." He was almost 17 years old.
"Jack overcame so much adversity in his life, and he touched thousands of lives here in Rhode Island and throughout Southern New England," Grants and Communications Director Patrick Cole said in an email. "He recovered from severe neglect, was a cancer survivor, and benefited from acupuncture in his senior years as he battled arthritis."
In a social media post, the sanctuary shared that Jack and Diane were morbidly obese and consequently could barely walk or open their eyes when they first arrived.
"After being seized by state authorities, Jack and Diane were brought to the RI Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA). Their veterinarian estimated their age to be around 10 years old and they were in critical condition" the sanctuary wrote. "When we received the initial call, we were asked by RISPCA to provide only a few weeks of hospice care. We had never rescued pigs before, but we said yes and we were determined to provide responsible care and dignity for as long as needed."
Through exercise, a nutrition plan and daily skin treatments, Jack and Diane were able to move around again on their own. Jack went on to be diagnosed with cancer in 2020, but following emergency surgery and more rehabilitation, he was able to enjoy several more years at the sanctuary.
West Place shared a memorial video for Jack on their YouTube page, showing the pig munching on pumpkins, cuddling up to a goose and playing with his sister.
"Like all of us, [Diane] is mourning the loss of Jack but we are giving her and the other pigs (Bentley and Pickles) lots of extra love," Cole told 12 News.
The sanctuary said Jack brought joy to visitors, volunteers and staff, noting that his impact will carry on.
"Jack was more than a pig. He was an ambassador for farm animals everywhere and a symbol of the compassion, dedication, and resilience of those who represent West Place," the sanctuary said. "We are honored to have guided him on his improbable journey, from rock bottom to a life beyond what anyone imagined."
You can donate to the West Place Animal Sanctuary here.
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