550-Pound Pig Gets a Bionic Leg: A Story of Survival and Second Chances

Montague, NJ — On August 12, 2019, Albee was left for dead on a pile of rotting animal carcasses, discarded like trash in the blistering August heat. He was just a baby. He and 13 other piglets had been cast aside at Sugar Sweet Farm, victims of a cruel scheme in which sickly piglets—runts deemed unprofitable by the meat industry—were taken in, fattened up, and deceptively sold to unsuspecting buyers. But when these particular piglets developed visible hernias, their fate was sealed—not with a humane end, but with slow, agonizing dehydration and heat exhaustion on a death pile.

Miraculously, a concerned citizen alerted authorities, leading to a multi-agency rescue operation. Among those stepping in was Tamerlaine Sanctuary & Preserve, which took in all of the surviving piglets and worked tirelessly to find them safe, loving homes. In the end, all but two of the weakest survivors—Tiny and Albee—were placed in permanent sanctuary homes. Though three of the rescued piglets didn’t make it, Tiny and Albee defied the odds and grew into the gentle, intelligent animals pigs are meant to be. But Albee’s battle wasn’t over.

From Suffering to Science: A Breakthrough for Albee

For years, Albee has struggled with a deteriorating knee, likely caused by the brutal handling he endured as a piglet. Despite countless medical interventions—including cortisone and silicone injections and even the consideration of a full knee replacement—nothing provided a long-term solution. His 550-pound frame placed immense stress on his failing leg, making mobility an increasing challenge.

That’s when Derrick Campana of Bionic Pets, a world-renowned expert in animal prosthetics, stepped in. Campana, known as the "Wizard of Paws", has helped over 25,000 animals, from dogs and horses to elephants. Now, he’s creating a custom prosthetic leg brace and support system for Albee, using the groundbreaking technology of the incredible Bionic Pets, giving this once-abandoned pig the chance to walk pain-free and live out his days in comfort.

A Story Worth Telling—And Sharing

Albee’s journey—from a discarded piglet left to die, to a groundbreaking recipient of life-changing technology from Bionic Pets—is not just a story of survival. It’s a testament to the power of compassion, innovation, and the unwavering commitment of sanctuaries like Tamerlaine.

But Albee isn’t the only one who needs help. Like so many organizations, Tamerlaine Sanctuary & Preserve is facing a financial crisis due to dwindling donations in uncertain times. The sanctuary relies entirely on public support to continue saving animals like Albee and providing lifelong care to those who have suffered at human hands.

“Albee’s story is just one of many,” says Gabrielle Stubbert, co-founder of Tamerlaine. “If we don’t continue to fight for them, who will?”