Hogs and Kisses is a micro-sanctuary that opened its barn doors in Charlottesville in 2021. This year, Madison House is partnering with the farm to give UVA students an opportunity to volunteer with the seven pigs, five rabbits, and two turkeys!

“We are a micro-farm sanctuary caring for 14 beautiful fur and feather family members,” explains founder Anne Molina.

Madison House Program Director Leila Mann began volunteering with Hogs and Kisses last fall when she saw a newsletter about open volunteer opportunities. Leila loves getting to spend time with the animals during her morning feeding shifts.

“Feeding times can get a little chaotic since everyone is super hungry,” she laughs, “but after that when you are cleaning and spending time with the animals, the pigs love belly rubs!”

Other volunteers have gotten involved with Hogs and Kisses due to the environmental focus. Having graduated in 2024 with a B.S. in Environmental Science, Saskia Poot is currently in the School of Education and Human Development at UVA getting her Masters of Education in Quantitative Analytics in Education and the Social Sciences. She now serves as the Sanctuary Assistant Manager.

“I became vegetarian at 15 years old, and shortly after coming to college at age 18, I became vegan,” Saskia shares. “My main reasons for this dietary change were environmental health and ethics involving animal rights, which are both at the forefront of Hogs and Kisses. The pigs drew me into applying for my current position.” In this role, Saskia helps Anne make decisions about animal wellness and educate both volunteers and the general public.

Leila is eager to open this opportunity to as many UVA students as she can. Students can volunteer weekly or bi-weekly depending on their availability, and the farm is only a 15-minute drive from UVA Grounds.

“Since our sanctuary expanded, we need more help feeding and caring for the animals twice per day,” says Anne. “The volunteers coming from Madison House will learn how to assist in making food bowls, feeding the animals, cleaning water and food bowls, cleaning rooms, brushing animals—and giving belly rubs, too!”

Hogs and Kisses is also dedicated to fundraising work, and with the extra hands from Madison House volunteers, the staff can direct their efforts towards more administrative tasks to broaden their impact.

According to Anne, Madison House volunteers help Hogs and Kisses fulfill their mission of “creating the best possible life for farm animals while inspiring compassion for all living beings.”

Anne summarizes, “Our commitment to excellent care is unwavering and having help from Madison House allows us to carry out this commitment more seamlessly.”

By Cecilia Murphy

🐷 🐰 🦃 Are you interested in becoming a Kisser, a Fairy Hog-mother, or a Bun-mother? Visit Hogs & Kisses online today!

If you are a UVA student and wish to volunteer, submit an interest form to Madison House Program Director Leila Mann.