The River Center for Compassionate Care
Revolutionizing Veterinary Medicine for Farm Animals
At Ziggy’s Refuge, we believe every animal—no matter their size, species, or medical needs—deserves access to compassionate, cutting-edge veterinary care.
This belief is what led us to create The River Center for Compassionate Care, a first-of-its-kind medical facility dedicated to advancing farm animal medicine.
HONORING RIVER'S LEGACY
The River Center is named in honor of our beloved pig, River, whose life was a testament to the resilience, love, and individuality of farm animals. But River’s story is also the reason this center exists.
When River became critically ill, we took him to a university hospital, desperate for answers. We begged for diagnostics that could have saved his life—tests that, if he were a dog or a cat, would have been done without hesitation. But they refused. They dismissed our concerns, telling us they knew better than we did.
We lost River because the veterinary world isn’t built for farm animals like him. And in that moment, we knew—we could no longer rely on an outdated system that wasn’t willing to fight for him. We had to take veterinary care into our own hands.
RIVER
A New Standard for Sanctuary Medicine
Traditional veterinary care was never designed for farm animals as individuals—it was built for agriculture.
Here at The River Center, we are changing that narrative.
Led by Dr. Jan Hawkins, one of the nation’s top veterinary surgeons, we are developing new surgical techniques, advanced diagnostics, and groundbreaking recovery methods that are already making waves in the veterinary world.
Pioneering safer anesthesia protocols for large animals
Developing life-saving surgeries rarely attempted on farm animals
Creating new rehabilitation methods to improve mobility and recovery
Providing hands-on training for vets to expand farm animal care nationwide
A Model for the Future
The River Center isn’t just for the animals at Ziggy’s Refuge—it’s a blueprint for sanctuaries and veterinary teams across the country.
Our work is already inspiring other clinics to adopt our methods, bringing better medical care to farm animals everywhere. This is about more than just one sanctuary—it’s about changing the system that failed River.
The River Center in Action
Help Us Change the Future
With the right resources, we can do even more.
Our goal is to expand The River Center with state-of-the-art equipment, including a CT machine to provide life-saving diagnostics right here on the farm.
By supporting The River Center, you’re not just helping animals at Ziggy’s—you’re helping shape the future of sanctuary medicine worldwide.
River should still be here.
No animal should ever be denied care because of their species.
For River, For All