Mother’s Day at the Sanctuary: Celebrating Matilda’s Courage and Love

Mother’s Day is a moment to reflect on the strength, tenderness and devotion that mothers show their children. At the sanctuary, we see those qualities every day - especially in Matilda, one of the most remarkable mothers we’ve ever welcomed through our gates.

Matilda made headlines when she escaped from a farm to give birth in nearby woodland. Like many mother pigs in the industry, she had likely experienced the heartbreak of having previous litters taken from her. This time, she did everything she could to protect her babies. Her determination to keep them safe was an act of instinct, courage and love.

Thanks to public support, Matilda and her newborns were granted their freedom and came to live at the sanctuary. Here, she has been able to raise her family the way she always wanted to - together, safe and undisturbed. Her seven youngsters are grown now, but she still keeps a gentle, watchful eye on them, stepping in with a firm grunt whenever family disagreements get too lively.

Watching Matilda relax in the sunshine with her children, rooting in the fields or settling down together in a cosy bed, is a reminder of what all mothers deserve: the chance to nurture, protect and stay with their young.

Sadly, this isn’t the reality for mothers in animal agriculture. Across all farming industries, mothers are separated from their babies, their bodies used for production, and their natural instincts denied. There is no humane way to take a mother’s child from her.

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate Matilda and every mother - human or non‑human - who shows love, resilience and devotion. And we hold space for those who cannot be with their mothers today, for any reason.

If you’d like to support Matilda and help us care for her family, you can sponsor her through our sanctuary sponsor packs. They make a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift and directly support her ongoing care.

Thank you!