A new Picturing Pigs billboard went up last week!
The billboard is on I-40 in Sampson County, in eastern North Carolina. It is near exit 355, when heading west towards Raleigh, N.C., and is up now through June 2026. The billboard is made possible with a grant.
The billboard features Coconut, a pot-bellied pig that lived at The Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary in Rougemont, N.C. They did everything to help with hospice care, giving her the best life in her final days including a laser treatments to ease her pain and lots of watermelon. She was an incredible pig.
The image by Shannon Johnstone depicts a hog transport truck passing by the billboard on I-40, a major route between Raleigh and beach areas in eastern North Carolina. Hog transport trucks pass through there frequently since the area is a major hog farming location.
Why hog country?
The billboards are installed in eastern North Carolina, specifically Duplin County and Sampson County, a significant amount of hog farming happens there. The billboards represent the pigs that are hidden away in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). Each billboard features a real pig living its best life at a vegan animal sanctuary where they enjoy things like sunshine, treats, and friendships. The goal of the billboards is to help people see real pigs, instead of the cartoons that serve as pork propaganda.
What's happening with the film?
We are raising finishing funds to wrap up the movie as soon as possible. We can't wait to share it with you! If you know someone who wants to help us with raising funds to complete the film, please reach out.