Charlie

Charlie’s journey began when we rescued him from a high-kill shelter in Riverside, California. He arrived terrified, suffering from mange and still an intact male. He had no idea what was happening or whether the humans around him could be trusted. But with love, patience, proper care and training, that frightened little pig began to blossom. And then Charlie’s story took a turn none of us could have predicted… Not long after his arrival, we received a rather unusual request: Did we happen to have a pig who could participate in a dog fashion show for charity? Well… as a matter of fact, we did. 😂 After a FaceTime interview, Charlie got the part! We began training, and before we knew it, this incredibly smart boy was headed for his moment in the spotlight. Pigs are remarkably intelligent animals. They can learn commands, solve problems, remember what they’ve learned and form deep emotional bonds — and Charlie was more than happy to show everyone just how capable a pig can be. His adventure eventually landed him on Netflix’s Pet Stars, Episode 4: “Canine Couture”! While we quickly discovered that the Hollywood lifestyle wasn’t exactly for us, it was a wonderfully crazy experience we’ll never forget — and Charlie was an absolute star. But celebrity isn’t what makes Charlie special. What makes him special is the journey from the terrified, neglected pig sitting in a high-kill shelter to the confident, curious and deeply loved boy he is today. Charlie may have had his moment in the spotlight, but his greatest role is simply being Charlie — one of the many beloved residents who call Saving Animals & Healing Hearts home. The red carpets may be behind him, but around here, Charlie will always be a star.