Esther the Wonder Pig had been billed as a mini pig but grew up to be a full-sized, 650-pound commercial pig. By then, her two “dads” had fallen in love with her, prompting their move to a farm. The result was the creation of the Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary and a kindness movement. I wrote an update about the sanctuary’s move to a bigger property and the changes to the original farm for the Spring 2026 issue of Niagara Escarpment Views magazine. Here’s the story.
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You’ll find more pigs than ponies at a former horse farm 20 km from the original Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary (HEEFS) in Campbellville. HEEFS moved to the new site in October 2024, carrying on the work of rescuing abused and neglected farmed animals sparked by Esther the Wonder Pig in 2015.
“The move to our new farm was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that came about through the generosity of a supporter who made an equity donation, in addition to a bequest that was given to the sanctuary,” explains Derek Walter, HEEFS’ Executive Director. “It’s an amazing step up for the residents.”
The property has about triple the acreage and plenty of room to grow. The higher elevation reduces the chance of flooding. The barns have three times as many stalls, which allows rambunctious goats to be separated from sheep. A riding arena became a pig village, and there’s plenty of room to rotate pastures.
The property also allows HEEFS to expand its rescue and educational programs, welcoming more visitors to experience the mission of saving animals.
A new purpose for Esther’s home
Meanwhile, rather than have Esther’s first sanctuary sold and its storied history lost, HEEFS co-founder Steve Jenkins launched a fundraising campaign to keep the farm “in the family.” Just as many people donated to the campaign to keep the farm as had been involved in its start.
“It meant a lot to many people in Esther’s community that we keep the site,” Steve says.
Taking back its original name, Cedar Brook Farm, the property will reopen in 2026 as an agrotourism destination. The cow pasture will become lavender and sunflower fields. There will be pick-your-own flowers and a pumpkin patch, a special event venue and guest accommodations. Produce from the orchard and a sprawling vegetable garden will go to local animal sanctuaries.
All profits will be donated to Operation Angels, a charitable organization created by Steve and his team. It honours Esther’s legacy by providing financial support and educational programs for animal sanctuaries in Canada, the U.S., UK and Australia, many of which struggle without the visibility from a star attraction like Esther.
While the farm won’t be a full sanctuary itself, it does have a small number of rescued animals by special request — a few pigs, sheep, turkeys, ducks and one llama. Visitors can take part in work days and community events, see the lagoon Esther loved and walk the memorial trail, lined with some 77 stones representing residents who lived out their lives on the property.
Esther’s prints, made from a stencil of her hoof, lead across the rainbow bridge at the entrance to Cedar Brook Farm.
Esther’s early days
Most Niagara Escarpment Views readers are familiar with Esther, as are people around the world — some 46 countries, at last count.
Adopted in 2012, Esther was a bright, playful pet who quickly captured the hearts of her “dads,” Steve and Derek. As she grew, it became obvious this was no mini pig, and their suburban house in Georgetown was no place to keep what turned out to be a 260-kg animal. Raising funds to buy a farm in Campbellville, the family moved to what became HEEFS in 2015.
HEEFS grew beyond that one special pig. It became a registered charity, whose mission is to rescue abused, neglected and abandoned farmed animals, providing them a safe, life-long home. Some of these residents had been abandoned in a ditch or rental home or were found wandering in the woods. Some young animals aged out of petting zoos, and sometimes a person bought a pig or goat to roast and had a change of heart.
The result is a menagerie of about 65 rescues that includes pigs, cows, sheep, fowl, goats and one bonded pair: BJ the donkey and Escalade the horse. The environment allows animals to thrive, experience freedom and embrace the joy that comes with a second chance at life.
Esther embodied that joy. She sparkled on social media in cheeky poses, often sporting colourful sunglasses, wigs, sunbonnets and capes from her vast, often cupcake-themed wardrobe. Her fame spread in a TEDx Talk, several books and media interviews with CBC, CTV New, The Washington Post and more, although a planned movie fell through. Celebrity fans include comedian Ricky Gervais and climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Because of Esther, thousands opened their eyes and hearts to see pigs and all animals as individuals. Her life helped others see the magic of kindness and the power of a smile. That hasn’t stopped with her death.
Esther’s legacy continues
Esther became ill in October 2017 and was taken to the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. Unfortunately, the imaging tools needed to diagnose a large animal like Esther were not available in Canada at the time.
Within four months, generous supporters raised $750,000 to buy a massive CT scanner big enough to hold Esther. It’s now housed at the vet college with the stipulation that farm sanctuaries can use the machine at no charge.
Esther’s eventual diagnosis was cancer. Surgery and medication prolonged her life, but she went through more health challenges and the pandemic before dying in her sleep on October 18, 2023 at the age of 11.
Her memory lives on, now in two physical locations as well as the minds and hearts of thousands, including her dads, although they have since split up. What started with one pig has blossomed into a full “kindness” movement guided by humour and a positive attitude. Not a bad legacy for one little pig.
How You Can Help
- Visit HEEFS and Cedar Brook Farm, online and in person. Attend volunteer work events and help plant, tend and harvest the gardens; maintain the grounds; or give piggy belly rubs.
- Donate money or goods/services for auctions.
- Buy a T-shirt, tote bag, mug, Esther’s 10 Years of Magic book or other merchandise.
- Follow, like and comment on social media posts to increase Esther’s reach.
- Encourage friends and family to see farm animals in the same light as companion animals.
- Sign and share petitions that oppose animal cruelty.
- Be kind to all kinds.
Also in Niagara Escarpment Views magazine:
A spotlight on missing people keeps cold cases alive
All’s well that end-to-ends well
Road ecology steps in where animal instincts and urban sprawl collide