A Curious Calico Begins Her Sanctuary Journey
A few years ago, a timid stray calico cat began appearing at the Farm Animal Rescue and Rehoming Movement (FARRM) in Alberta, Canada. Too wary to get close, she would hover in the background, darting into the wilderness whenever volunteers approached.
“We would just see her from afar … kind of going around where we put food out for everyone,” said Melissa Foley, FARRM’s owner and operator.
A Mother in Hiding
The calico, eventually named Jade, moved around the sanctuary for about a year before Foley discovered something surprising—kittens nestled inside a hay bale. Acting quickly, Foley managed to safely trap the feline family.
Foley provided them with a safe space to grow. Once the kittens were old enough, all were spayed or neutered. The kittens stayed on with the rest of the sanctuary’s cats, but Jade? She was released back outside.
An Unexpected Bond Begins
Instead of returning to the wilderness, Jade made her way to a heated cabin—home to a solitary pig named Gordo. Gordo had suffered seizures due to a heart condition and required a quiet, dust-free environment. Though Gordo was physically isolated, emotionally he was not alone for long.
Whether it was the warmth of the cabin or an intuitive sense of companionship, Jade began visiting Gordo regularly. Volunteers often spotted the calico curled up next to him under a blanket or sharing his food—a significant gesture from a pig who usually refuses to share.
Trust Blossoms Into Friendship
“I think he does just enjoy that little bit of company,” Foley explained. “And if you know anything about pigs, they don’t like sharing food … Gordo allows Jade to share his food dish and lick yogurt off his plate.”
It wasn’t long before Foley noticed a remarkable transformation in Jade’s behavior. No longer skittish, Jade grew affectionate—not just with Gordo, but with people and other animals.
From Survivor to Caretaker
Jade, once the elusive stray, became one of the most nurturing residents of FARRM. Foley now finds her grooming baby lambs who have lost their mothers or making herself at home among the pigs.
- Grooming orphaned lambs with gentle licks
- Kneading blankets or snuggling other animals at the sanctuary
- Seeking out human affection and social connections
Still, she never strays far from Gordo. Their connection is solid, comforting, and mutual—a heartwarming display of empathy across species.
Compassion: The Language They Share
Foley believes the connection between Gordo and Jade is rooted in something deeper than companionship.
“Animals always lead with their heart,” she said. “Both of them came from places where they were struggling and maybe weren’t in the best place, having their needs met, and were in survival mode … I just adore them.”
From a fearful stray to a sanctuary sweetheart, and from a lonely pig to a content one, Jade and Gordo have written their own tale of recovery, compassion, and unexpected love—a friendship that continues to brighten the lives of everyone at FARRM.
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