We can’t introduce you to our animals without first telling you about Hercules. Our namesake, Herc was born on October 20, 2016 near North Liberty. His mother, Fiona, had a surprise litter and unfortunately abandoned three of the five piglets. We worked to save all three, but Hercules was the only one to survive. He was a bit spunky and obstinate, but loved mulberries, belly rubs and sleeping under a blanket. In the warm months, Hercules filled his days nibbling in the pasture, lounging in his pool, playing chase with the horses, napping and composing Haiku poetry. We lost Hercules shortly after his second birthday. On November 24, 2018, he suffered a heart attack caused by a congenital cardiac defect. Everyone at the Haven is still stunned to have lost our little boy. Hercules lives on as our guardian angel. Now, let’s introduce you to his friends at the Haven!
Boston "Boz"
Boston was born in spring 2021. “Boz” was found to have a serious abdominal hernia. Luckily, he was rescued and fostered by a Story County family who boarded horses. We welcomed Boston to the Haven shortly after his first surgery and has since had a follow up procedure. While recovering, Boston has charmed his way into our hearts. He loves to play in kiddie pools, roll in mud and flop over for belly rubs. Boz will grow to be a kind and loving GIANT. We are honored to be his family.
Kevin “The Lover”
Solo "The Mighty Duck"
Solo came from a local farmer who kept ducks as a seasonal attraction. He was destined for a fall dinner but instead was graciously surrendered to the Haven in November 2017 instead. Solo loves to forage, explore the property and keep our chickens out of trouble.
Lafayette "Kind Gentleman"
Lafayette, Alcide’s brother, spends his days in the warm sun or in the cozy hay pile in the Pig Palace. He is a well-mannered gentleman with a kind heart who loves scratches behind his ears.
Boots "My Boots are Made for Walking"
Boots and Mr. Chompers were transported by Madison’s Heartland Animal Sanctuary in November of 2017. They grew up at a petting zoo, were rescued by a private party but had to be surrendered to a new home. Our goat friends may be small, but they are mighty! Boots is still recovering from over-exposure to people at the petting zoo. He is slowly warming to life at the Haven
Mr. Chompers "Sir Head-Butts-A-Lot"
The Chickens
Free range girls (and boys) at their best. The flock is friendly and eagerly approaches visitors in the hopes of getting treats.
Juno "Haven Cuddle Coach"
Joey "Eeyore Impersonator"
Juniper "Little One"
Juniper was born on a small Angus farm in Southwest Iowa in 2019. Her owner died of a sudden heart attack and his family didn’t want to see the heard go off to slaughter. Sanctuaries across the Midwest worked to find them forever homes. Juniper and her mother, Rose, arrived feeling overwhelmed but were welcomed to a loving home.
Rose "Mama Rose"
Ginger "Farm Mom"
Fiona "The Grouch"
Fiona is a potbelly pig born in 2014 and adopted by the Haven in 2016. She lives with her daughter, Aphrodite. Fiona loves sunrises and snacks of all varieties. As the mother of our namesake (that’s right, Fiona is Herc’s mom), Fiona has a very protective personality and demands respect.
Tess "Haven Diva"
Tess (White Pass) was born in 2014 and had a short racing career that left her permanently disabled. She can never again be raced or ridden. Even as the great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Secretariat, thoroughbreds like Tess can face slaughter if not rescued. She was brought to the Haven by our friends from Unbridled Spirits Thoroughbred Retirement Ranch. Tess longs to be the center of attention and will let you know if she feels slighted.
Bob "Leader of the Pack"
Bob is the kind, benevolent leader of Team Goat. He has worked hard to recover from a life-threatening brain infection. Our angels from the Anamosa Vet Clinic saved this guy’s life! He now is struggling with some arthritis in his joints as he ages, but daily medications help him manage the discomfort. Bob looks forward to his nightly medication hidden in a strawberry (wait, maybe it’s the strawberry he looks forward to….). Our goat leader loves being brushed and scratched.
Bailey "Friend to Everybody"
Benny "Welcomer-In-Chief"
Benny welcomes everyone who visits the barn. You can stare into his big, beautiful eyes for hours. He prefers to always be near his brothers and never gets into mischief — unless everyone else is up to shenanigans. Benny loves snacks of all kinds, but fruit is his favorite. Give our pal a slice of apple or a strawberry and you may have a friend for life!
Sawyer "Snuggle Buddy"
This joyful little potbelly was born in August 2020 and rescued from an animal hoarder. An Iowa family tried to adopt Sawyer but couldn’t live up to his demands for cuddles. Now, he gets plenty of attention at the Haven. He loves to sleep under blankets and curl up next to Beatrice.
Babe "Mud Bath Queen"
Aphrodite "Learning to Love Belly Rubs"
Alcide "The Lounge Singer"
Apollo "Protector of the Couch"
Apollo came to us from the Cedar Valley Humane Society in 2016. He was a six-month-old import from Tennessee. Our couch king loves to snuggle and has and amazingly small bladder.
Bea "Worlds Best Belly Flopper"
Bea was picked up by Cedar Rapids Animal Control in the summer of 2018. They knew that instead of incarceration, Beatrice needed tender care at the Haven. She was nearly blind from “morbid obesity,” had skin infections, was in dire need of a balanced diet, and craved wide open spaces. Bea bonded with Hercules while working to get in shape. Her weight was so extreme that veterinarians from the Anamosa Vet Clinic and the University of Wisconsin were unable to spay her due to her weight. Now, she is on hormone therapy to tame her heat cycles until she is healthy enough to have surgery. Bea eats a special feed that will help her lose weight and get healthy. Miss Bea hopes to be on the farm version of the Biggest Loser — she thinks that Bob Harper is darn cute.
Loki "Mischief Maker"
Who is the first to poop in the pool? Yes, It’s Loki. His is full of spunk but will give human friends a welcoming fist-bump.
Iris "The Lover"
Iris was the first of the four babies picked up by Cedar Rapids Animal Control in June of 2019. She loves attention and the occasional belly rub.
Athena "The Wise"
Athena is reserved and watches the world with a cautious eye. She was the last baby to be rescued. Her weeks avoiding pursuers made her afraid of people. Luckily, attention from the Haven Heroes has helped her feel safe and confident.
Achilles "The Quiet Hero"
He takes is job as hero seriously. Achilles protects Athena and worked to help the babies integrate with the bigger little pigs.
Odin "The Protector"
Freya "Gentle Soul"
Odin lead their escape from Cricket Hollow and Freya is leading their healing at Hercules’ Haven. Freya showed the worst visible signs of neglect. She was “skin and bones” with large tufts of wool missing, but her eyes were full of longing. Our volunteers see that she is eager to learn to trust and heal. She makes soulful eye contact while inching closer to her new human friends. We don’t reach to touch her, but she has very timidly approached hands offering food. She is our key to reaching Odin and healing his trauma.
Hermes "Protector of the Farm"
Phoebe "Survivor"
Elton “Rock Star”
Fuzzy “I’m a Survivor”
Friends of the Haven discovered this little fighter on their farm. She had lost a leg in a trap but recovered from the accident. Once moved to the Haven in 2018, Fuzzy found her calling. She loves to snuggle on laps and protect the barn. Fuzzy reminds us all that we can get through the darkest days.
Willow “Wonder Woman”
Justice “Truth in Action”
Babies grow so quickly! Justice was a 2019 Christmas baby who was rescued from a horrific transport accident. She had a serious respiratory and hoof infection. With devoted care, she thrived and now is Phoebe’s partner in life and lives with the Big Girls – Babe and Blossom.
Sophie “Miss Head-Butt”
Sophie was a 2020 Valentines gift to the world. She could not “latch” and feed from her mother, so friends at the Haven took around-the-clock shifts caring for the newborn. Sophie has grown to be a strong and spunky partner for Juno.
Shelby “The Sentry”
Magnolia “Spring Flower”
When we welcomed Momma Rose and Juniper in 2019, we had no idea that Rose had a big secret. Rose was pregnant and our veterinarian told us to prepare for a Spring surprise. Magnolia was born on April 26, 2020. Momma rose and her daughters will get to love, grow, and thrive – always together at the Haven.
Sarabi “Wild Child”
Sarabi came to the Haven in 2018 when feral cats were cleared from the Johnson County Recycling Center. She was wild and feared people. After months of patience, she began to approach her Haven friends. Sarabi loves to explore and occasionally makes appearances at Open Barn Days and campfires.
Dori “Golden Girl”
Dori was surrendered in December of 2019. She was homeless and slept in a truck. The Haven’s team welcomed her into the farmhouse, began an aggressive diet and trimmed her hooves. Dori loves to meet people and show off her slimming physique.
Odie "Police Escort"
Odie escaped a transport truck on the coldest night of 2021. The Story County Sheriff found Odie and another pig running loose after a night of -20 weather. Due to severe frostbite, the officers euthanized her companion and brought Odie to the county’s Animal Shelter. Odie lost most of her ears to frostbite, and again almost died when new Iowa regulations required her death. Intensive negotiations saved Odie, and she will get to live at the Haven forever.
In memorium
Part of being an animal haven and forever home, means that we also have to say goodbye to our friends when the cross the rainbow bridge. Below are our friends who have passed on but remain in our hearts forever. We hope the time they spent with us at the Haven, long or short, was filled with joy. Until we meet again….
