A Batesburg-Leesville farm animal sanctuary has rescued 500 miniature potbelly pigs from Kentucky.

The Cotton Branch Farm Animal Sanctuary has been able to find home for more than half of them.

“We have about 220 left and have over 3,000 applicants for them,” said board member Diane Leclaire.

Since last August, 280 pigs have been placed in new homes across the US.

The others are now at Cotton Branch and being adopted.

The need went viral on social media and was featured on broadcast news and in People magazine, Huffing-ton Post, and USA Today.

“We have seen an amazing outpouring from the rescue community and those who love animals,” said Alana Rogers of Pig Advocates League. “It’s been incredible to see these animals’ lives permanently change for the better.”

The joint effort has raised nearly $130,000 to spay, neuter, vet, transport, and care for the pigs.

“We hope to have all the remaining pigs in their new individual homes, throughout the southeast by February,” said Josh Carpenter Costner of Cotton Branch.

“We still have around 60 to spay and neuter, and we need additional donations for them.”

The sanctuary is a 501(c)

(3) non-profit founded in 2004. It is the only non-profit farm animal sanctuary in South Carolina.

Cotton Branch not only saves and provides a permanent home for abused, neglected, and senior farm animals, but also has the largest farm animal adoption operation on the East Coast.

“Our mission is to educate the public on the proper rescue and care of pot belly pigs, and farm animals in general, to keep these hoarding situations from continuing,” Leclaire said.

For more information or to donate online, please visit https://www.cottonbranch.org/https://www.cotton-branch.org/ .