Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Smith & Valerie Bartlett.
Hi Justin & Valerie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Second Hand Sanctuary began with a birthday wish and a piglet named Oliver.
Valerie had dreamed of having a pig since she was eight years old. So on her birthday in 2018, I gave her a choice: a luxury weekend away or a piglet. Without hesitation, she chose the pig. The next day, we hit the road to pick up Oliver—a spotted little guy who would change our lives forever.
We had no idea what we were getting into.
At the time, we didn’t know much about the needs of pigs, let alone the heartbreaking number of them in need of rescue. But just a week later, we saw a post about a pig wandering loose in town. He’d somehow found his way into a busy intersection, and without a second thought, we jumped into action. That pig became our first true rescue—and his name was Archie.
From there, the floodgates opened. One pig became two, two became ten, and before we knew it, we were building a sanctuary, one fence panel and feed bucket at a time.
The name Second Hand Sanctuary came naturally. In those early days, everything we had was second hand—from the fencing and water troughs to the old farm tools and tarps people donated. Even the souls who came into our care were second hand—forgotten, rehomed, or discarded. But here, they found something first-hand for the very first time: love, safety, and dignity.
We didn’t set out to start a sanctuary, but it seems the sanctuary found us—and we haven’t looked back since.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road—but the best journeys rarely are.
One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced is pushing back against the old mentality that animals—especially pigs—are possessions, not individuals. There’s a long-standing belief in some circles that pigs are either food or novelty pets. We work every day to shift that mindset, to show that these animals are intelligent, emotional beings deserving of respect, care, and lifelong commitment.
Building a volunteer base has also been a major hurdle. Sanctuary work is hard—physically, emotionally, and logistically. It’s muddy, messy, and nonstop. We’ve had to slowly find and grow a community of people who share our heart and are willing to roll up their sleeves and get dirty for the animals.
And then there’s sustainability. From the start, we’ve built this sanctuary with limited resources—piecing things together with donated materials, second-hand supplies, and a whole lot of determination. Creating something that can sustain not only the animals, but also ourselves as caretakers, has been an ongoing balancing act. We’re constantly learning, adapting, and doing everything we can to make sure this work can continue for years to come.
It’s not easy—but the pigs don’t ask for easy. They just ask for love, and that makes every challenge worth facing.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Second Hand Sanctuary, our core mission is simple: to give forgotten animals a second chance—and to do it with compassion, dignity, and community at the heart of everything we do. While our focus is primarily on pigs, we also care for chickens, turkeys, dogs, cats, and the occasional unexpected guest. We specialize in taking in the “second hand” souls—the animals others have discarded, surrendered, or simply never understood.
But our work doesn’t stop at the sanctuary gates.
We also run The Spice & Tea Exchange of Greenville, a specialty retail shop in the heart of downtown that’s been part of our lives since 2018. There, we connect people with global flavors, handcrafted spice blends, and fine teas—but it’s also a place where we quietly advocate. We use the store as a platform to raise awareness, host community events, and build the kind of relationships that sustain both business and mission. Our two worlds—flavor and farm—may seem separate, but they’re rooted in the same values: nourishment, care, and community.
We’re also deeply involved in The Liberty Emporium, a vibrant collective space that supports local artisans, small businesses, and nonprofits. It’s become a place where ideas are shared, voices are amplified, and partnerships are born. Through this network, we’re teaming up with other rescues and sanctuaries across the region to shed light on the challenges facing animal welfare in the South—from outdated ownership laws to the heartbreaking frequency of abandoned animals.
What sets us apart is how we blend it all together.
We’re not just a sanctuary. We’re not just small business owners. We’re educators, collaborators, and bridge-builders—using every avenue available to change hearts and create lasting impact. Whether it’s in the form of a tea tasting, a rescued pig’s story, or a weekend adoption event, we’re constantly working to spark connection.
And what we’re most proud of? That we’ve built this with our own hands and hearts, while staying grounded in who we are—and that despite the odds, we’re still growing, still giving, and still believing in second chances.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding a mentor—or even just a strong support system—can feel daunting, especially when you’re pouring everything you have into something that’s mission-driven or deeply personal. But here’s what we’ve learned: the best mentors often come from unexpected places, and the strongest networks are built on authenticity, not formality.
We didn’t set out with a roadmap. What worked for us was being open—open to learning, open to asking questions, and open to making mistakes. Whether it was talking to other sanctuary founders, local business owners, or even long-time customers in our spice shop, we tried to lead with curiosity and humility. People respond to that.
Social media has also been an incredible tool—not just for raising awareness, but for building real relationships. We’ve connected with rescues across the country, swapped knowledge, shared resources, and even coordinated joint efforts. That sense of community is priceless.
Our advice? Don’t wait for someone to “mentor” you. Find people who are doing what you admire, reach out, and start a conversation. Offer your help. Share your passion. And remember that mentorship isn’t always a formal thing—it can be a five-minute conversation that shifts your perspective, a Facebook group that becomes a lifeline, or a fellow small business owner who cheers you on during the tough weeks.
In the end, it’s about building trust, showing up consistently, and staying grounded in your why. When you do that, the right people tend to find you—and you’ll find you’re not as alone as you thought.
Pricing:
- $5 – Provides a bowl of food for a pig for a day
- $10 – Buys a bale of hay for warm, dry bedding
- $50 – Helps fund fencing repairs or shelter maintenance
- $100 – Supports monthly hoof care for multiple pigs
- $250 – Sponsors a senior or special needs pig for a full month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://secondhandsanctuary.org
- Instagram: second_hand_sanctuary
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecondHandSanctuarySC
- Other: https://spiceandtea.com/greenville
