08/23/2026
I spent one of the most beautiful days of my life with Pam Ahern at her wonderful sanctuary, Edgar's Mission, near Melbourne! That’s when I took that gorgeous photo of her and her sidekick Lizzie (who we lost last year) and two playful caprine sidekicks. I think it captures her personality even better than the sassy photo in this delightful interview of sorts (questions are omitted) published in the Sunday, August 23, Sydney Morning Herald and Age.
My favorite line? “He gave me an ultimatum – him or the pig. I chose the pig. . . “
I will paste links to the article in the comments for and am also sharing the text for who hit paywalls:
My father, Bernie, had an incredible influence on my life. He used to call me “Itsy” after the nursery rhyme about the spider. He passed away about 17 years ago but lives on in much more than my genes.
Dad left school early. He used to collect bottles and sell them for money. Later, he created his trucking business, BJ Ahern. Dad loved fancy cars but he also loved animals. He could have bought pedigree dogs but he got rescues. He had a golden Labrador who wore these booties so she wouldn’t damage the seat of his Rolls-royce.
Dad taught me to value what I have and to never have what you can’t afford – I’ve never owned a credit card. He also taught me gratitude. Dad valued education, logic and justice.
My parents split when I was eight years old. Initially, I lived with my mum, Sylvia, but in my teen years, I lived with Dad. I didn’t have a boyfriend at high school – I was much happier at the pony club or being out in the backyard playing with the dog and watching bees.
In my 20s, I read [Australian moral philosopher] Peter Singer’s book, Animal Liberation, after which I turned vegan. I have met Peter several times. I like the way he stays really composed and thinks deliberately before he answers questions. Even if he disagrees, he doesn’t get rattled.
In 2003, I was living in Woodend [Victoria] on a five-acre property. At that time, I enjoyed a successful equestrian career. I was also involved in caring for wildlife and finding homes for them. I started taking abandoned, homeless and mistreated farm animals as well.
That year, I worked with Animals Australia on the “Save Babe” campaign to highlight the plight of factory farmed pigs. We needed a pig for a photo shoot. The day before, I had got Edgar Alan Pig, a tiny, poop-covered rescue piglet. I didn’t have a boyfriend at high school – I was much happier at the pony club.
Actor James Cromwell [who was in the movie Babe] was in Melbourne making a film at the time and we thought he’d bring media attention to our message, so I got in touch. He suggested an action on the steps of Parliament House to demand a better deal for pigs. I took Edgar on a lead and walked him around.
People would stop and rub Edgar’s tummy when I took him for a walk. He wormed his way into people’s hearts, reminding them where these animals really belong.I loved Edgar and I wanted to create somewhere for him to live out his days [Edgar died in 2010]. So the idea for Edgar’s Mission came from my involvement with James.
James is an incredible man. In America, not only does he work on behalf of animals but also for Native Americans who have been displaced from their land.
Dad loved hearing about Edgar’s antics. They were similar in that they both disliked vegetables and could be pig-headed. When Dad died, he left me a bequest. It enabled me to buy the 62-hectare Lancefield property, north of Melbourne, where Edgar’s Mission is now located. I am so grateful. I hope he’s looking down and smiling; the animal sanctuary is his legacy.
I’ve had two significant relationships. The longest, which was for eight years, ended in 2007. He gave me an ultimatum – him or the pig. I chose the pig so I could live an authentic life. It was the best call.
Even as a kid, getting married and having children was never on my agenda. I’m happy doing my own thing. Someone once said that I was missing out on so much, to which I replied, “Maybe by your measure I am, but I think I’m gaining so much.”
I would never judge anyone. It’s an enormous responsibility to have children. And like animals, children are very vulnerable. I have made the right decision for me.
