The Fauna Foundation started out originally as a sanctuary for unwanted farm animals. Though the chimps require the most attention, the Foundation still accepts animals from all over. Not counting the 300-or-so birds, about 100 critters live on the farm, some with rather colourful pasts.

Jethro the horse

Fauna’s first “rescue” was Jethro (not to be confused with the same-named chimpanzee). An Old Montreal calèche horse, Jethro lost it one day and attempted to climb onto a taxi cab. Through Grow and Allan’s intervention, the now calmer horse was saved from his fate at a meat-packing factory.

Sultan, the aggressive ostrich

When zoo animals get too old or unruly to handle, they’re often sent off to game ranches, or “canned hunts.” The intimidating Sultan is one of those cast-offs.

Charlotte the pig

A huge honker of a hog, Charlotte was one of the 150 pigs released onto Highway 20 by protesting pork farmers in 1998. She managed to get away from her masters and was found by a volunteer at Fauna, where she’s lived-and grown-for the last four years.

The Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs

Somewhat of a pet phenomenon in the ’90s, pot-bellied pigs stay small and cute for a while but eventually shock their owners by ballooning into massive beasts resembling over-stuffed, hairy sausages. Though harmless, their loud, abrasive grunting is quite terrifying.

Sophie and ’Ti-Homme

In a large caged area by the donkeys and llamas live two Capuchin monkeys (two others, Laura and Larry, died this year) who dash around their cage at blurring speeds. Their filed-down teeth testify to their former status as pets.

Randy the goat

Baby Randy is the newest addition to the Foundation’s population of goats. A little fellow who’s currently living with the pot-bellied pigs until he can be neutered, Randy was spotted in the backyard of an Ottawa townhouse by a friend of Fauna earlier this year, ostensibly being raised for meat. He was bought at a high premium from his owners and sent to live at the farm.:
-M.S.

Behind the bars >> A look at some of the Fauna Foundation’s star residents