It all started with a woman named Judy and a pig named Wilbur. Since 1994, Pigs Peace Sanctuary near Stanwood, Washington, has rescued and cared for abused and abandoned pigs and their animal friends: cows, horses, sheep, dogs, cats, chickens, turkeys, llamas and more. In 2005, a Sanctuary board member facilitated the acquisition of this eclectic Seattle shop that sells 100 percent vegan merchandise. Formerly known as Sidecar for Pigs piece and staffed by volunteers, every purchase helps the animals. A local artist painted the colorful façade. Inside, a labyrinth of metro shelving is packed with groceries, pantry items, pet food, body care products, handbags, and wine. You can buy books, or borrow them: the well-stocked lending library includes mostly cookbooks and vegan lifestyle tomes. Cold cases stock locally made artisanal products, among them Rachel’s Ginger Beer, Field Roast vegan grain meats, fresh sandwiches from The Wayward Vegan Café, and beautiful handmade truffles from Olympia’s Blissful Wunders. Community events include book signings, tastings, and the occasional personal appearance by one of the Sanctuary’s porcine residents. Proceeds from Vegan Haven support the Sanctuary’s work arranging medical care, providing a healthy diet, socialization, and a permanent loving home for the animals, as well as educating the public about animal abuse.
Photo: Adriana Dunn
