Cherry the pig has garnered a lot of media attention for the Barnyard Sanctuary in New Jersey.
After being abandoned on a New Jersey highway, this little piggy has a new name, a new home and, possibly, a new title: spokespig.
The frightened pot belly piglet was found by a passing motorist Wednesday night wandering the side of Interstate 80 near a truck stop in Warren County.
The driver called Tamala Lester, director of the Barnyard Sanctuary, who was eventually able to lure the pig to safety with some cherry strudel -- hence the name Cherry.
"Why on earth would anybody get rid of her?" Tamala Lester asked. And even then, she said, why leave the animal on the side of a highway?
Good morning everyone!I'm ready for breakfast!Are there any more cherry danish left?
Posted by The Barnyard Sanctuary on Friday, March 25, 2016
Cherry's story has gotten media attention from several outlets, leading to a lot of adoption offers, Lester said.
But she said the notoriety could help raise the profile of the Barnyard Sanctuary, which runs entirely off donations.
The 15-acre farm in Knowlton Township provides boarding, temporary fostering, adoption and residency for farm animals. There are currently 700 animals on the farm, Lester said.
The farm is in the midst of a $1.5 million fundraising campaign to facilitate a move to a 189-acre farm nearby, according to its website.
A cow from a 2015 animal cruelty case involving more than 100 animals has been the sanctuary's spokes-animal for the last year, Lester said, but is getting harder to handle as it gets older.
Cherry, besides being easier to handle, has an interesting story that highlights the sanctuary's mission. And, Lester said, "she's so darn cute."
More information on the Barnyard Sanctuary is available on its website, barnyardsanctuary.org.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.