Meet Kirsten Duggan

Kirsten was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. She came from a loving family and was blessed to watch her parents compassionately care for animals throughout her childhood. That same gift of kindness and respect has resulted in Kirsten now opening her home to animals in need. She finds comfort in being able to offer potbelly pigs with nowhere else to go, a place where they will have a second chance at a life full of love and peace.

Her early childhood was the precursor to her life now: she nurtured fish, canaries, a bunny, cats, and rescued dogs all before she turned 10! She learned how to be responsible for all her pets but even more, came to understand their very dependence on her care.

At the age of 10, she began horseback riding which led to her having a horse. She part-boarded him for many years. At the same time, she also enjoyed many vacations abroad and one which she says was unforgettable was a trip to Ireland where she rode Connemara ponies. She describes racing through the green fields without a care in the world. She felt like she was one with the animals and the beautiful environment. This led her to her first job.

Kirsten moved to Western Canada where she cleared trails for the Canadian government. She worked for Wildlife Centres and at Lake Louise, all the while learning to respect and appreciate nature and the animals living in it. Eventually, her career took a bit of a tour and she became a chef! It led her to Europe where she again travelled, this time for two years, cooking her way around countries. Her most memorable stay was in the town of Kas, Turkey where she also volunteered with the homeless. She then made her way to Munich, Germany where she became a pastry chef. It is this journey which is how her Rescue came to be named Sweet Acres.

The Sanctuary started seven years ago with the arrival of Sadie. There was never any intention at that time to open a Rescue but over the years, Kirsten became known as someone who loved potbelly pigs and would take those in dire need. With each pig that was brought in, the backyard pens grew and the Rescue evolved. Sweet Acres is now home to eleven surrendered pigs and a “mature” Rotti named Kiera.

Kirsten’s empathy and compassion for both two and four-legged others, has earned her a reputation as being someone who will take in and take on, “the unwanted”. Her heart and soul are fully engaged in looking after those who have nowhere else to go. She was taught at a very early age to be kind and respectful of all; to lend a shoulder or ear when needed. Sweet Acres is proof of her parents’ legacy. She is patient and giving in nature and she takes the time needed to earn the trust of those in her care. It is only recently that her gate has opened to the public, and part of the reason for that is Kirsten’s desire to share and educate. She wants everyone to understand the plight of potbelly pigs who are purchased as pets and then abandoned. But even more importantly, she wants to demonstrate that every animal deserves to feel wanted, safe, healthy and at peace.

Learn About Us!

  • Our Early Beginnings

    Sweet Acres is relatively new as a Sanctuary and it all began with the adoption of Sadie. Over time, Kirsten Duggan came to be known as a potbelly pig (PBP) owner and was asked if she could take in a second. Dozer’s owner had learned that the Bylaw in her area did not permit him as a pet and she was desperate to find him a new home where he would be well-cared for.

    It didn’t take long after that for another call to come in about a third pig found wandering the backyards of a residential area in London, Ontario. Needing a place to call home, Noah was received with open arms. At that point Kirsten said to herself, “No more” but when the calls kept coming…so did the pigs!

    Six months later, Spartacus sauntered into Kirsten’s heart…and then Wellington…and Cardi P who was only supposed to be staying for a sleepover! In the three years since then Ophelia, Delilah, Rosemary (now deceased), Miss Basil and Sweet Pea have come to call Sweet Acres home. The latest resident Sally Ann, only just arrived in the fall of 2023 and is already making friends with the other residents and showing clear signs of her absolute joy.

    In all, there are eleven potbelly pigs living at Sweet Acres.

  • Education and Understanding

    Sweet Acres isn’t a Hollywood movie. No superhero story with a spectacular happy ending to be told. While Kirsten Duggan does tend to swoop into bad situations and is known as a force to be reckoned with when picking up a pig in need, the story doesn’t end on an immediate high note. In fact, the real “saving” is only just beginning.

    Many of the pigs who land at Sweet Acres come from places where they were abused or neglected. Sadly, their tales of never having been outside, never having their hooves trimmed, being terribly overfed and struggling to see and walk because of obesity, are only too common. Poor treatment and a lack of care and compassion have left these pigs with long-term concerns; not only physical but emotional, too. Initially, they suffer from fear of being in a totally new environment. They worry about finding their place in an already-established herd. And they grapple with feelings of depression, being separated from what they have always known, even if it wasn’t healthy or ideal.

    Sweet Acres is aware of all of these issues and works tirelessly to reassure every pig that they are cared for, safe, and loved. Trust is built over months, sometimes years; not hours. Understanding and kindness are the foundation of all actions and decisions at Sweet Acres. Sharing knowledge, so everyone has a more realistic understanding of the specific needs of potbelly pigs, is one of the Sanctuary’s greatest goals.

  • Our Rescue Community

    Education happens within the context of a larger community. Sweet Acres’ approach is an extension of all other sanctuaries, potbelly pig or otherwise. The internet is a great place to go, to read about other sanctuaries in Ontario and across the country. See how many are actively working for positive change to better the lives of all creatures great and small.

    Sanctuaries depend on the good will of many volunteers and other rescue operations. Often, when there is an animal known to be in distress, calls go out to see who can take them in. Then, it is often through the kind help of many hands that the animal makes its way to its new home. Drivers are ALWAYS needed…and with the transport of potbelly pigs, those who have a large vehicle, truck, or trailer are in even greater demand. Would you consider being someone on our call-out list to help drive?