Rescue Pigs in the UK?!
The reason I ask is, I've learned that pigs are actually cleverer than dogs... they can learn training faster than dogs and can even play very basic video games! I've heard that some people keep them as pets and have been discussing it with my parents. They're moving to the country at some point and are warming to the idea of keeping a couple of rescue pigs along with rescue dogs.
So has anyone got any experience or knowledge about this? I don't know where to start or if there's any reason they shouldn't go through with it... I couldn't think of a better home for a pig that's escaped factory farming than to live with my parents. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Answers: Ok this may seem like a strange question but does anyone know if there are any rescue pigs that are suitable to keep in the house (with access to the outsdoors too obviously)? Please no answers like 'I want to save one too... it can live in my belly'... we've heard all that rubbish before.
The reason I ask is, I've learned that pigs are actually cleverer than dogs... they can learn training faster than dogs and can even play very basic video games! I've heard that some people keep them as pets and have been discussing it with my parents. They're moving to the country at some point and are warming to the idea of keeping a couple of rescue pigs along with rescue dogs.
So has anyone got any experience or knowledge about this? I don't know where to start or if there's any reason they shouldn't go through with it... I couldn't think of a better home for a pig that's escaped factory farming than to live with my parents. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
You would not want pot-bellied ( mentioned somewhere above ). They are extremely messy. The mildest breed if the vietamese potbellied but they are big.
The smallest / best breed for pets is kune kune.
These are the ones most people buy as pets, here is a web site with a particularly small breeding line:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon...
However, they are not "rescues" as they are specifically breed for pets.
Unfortunately rescues come from the commercial industry and by the nature of the industry these pigs will be bred to be large. None of these are suitable for anything less that half a acres ( about 50 x 50 metres )
Its a shame more people like you don't have a few acres. Until you get space, perhaps you can rescue one and sponser space at a rescue centre ?
i wnt a rescue pig : ( lol i luv pigs they are so intelligent and i think there is rescue pigs thingy but i'm nt sure where just look up on a rescue centre that does all diffrent types of animals and see if they got any piggy's
This is very interesting, I've heard they're intelligent too. I'm not convinced about the videogames. Although they couldn't be a lot worse than me at them, thinking about it...
http://www.mossburn.org/animals_Pigs.asp
http://www.farmanimalrescue.org.uk/
they can arrest you as well
The pigs you're thinking about are potbellied pigs... not the large pink pigs that people equate with bacon... just so you know. They won't look like Babe lol. And yes, there are rescue pigs, you can look at any local shelter that takes in livestock, or look for specific rescue groups devoted to potbellied pigs or livestock in general. Good luck with your search.
And as for the videogames... if they can play them, I'd assume they'd use some sort of special controller lol. They can play other games and do tons of tricks too.
I'm sure there will be places that you can get a rescued pig but they are happier living in an outdoor area, with access to good shelter and a place to snout around. If you do decide to go for it, you will need to register your place with Defra and get a holding number. This has been the norm for a while and is so that there is trace-ability for animals to protect them and humans from such diseases as foot and mouth and blue tongue.
Is there a reason you want to keep them indoors? If you're moving to a farm, you can build a large enclosure for them so they can move around.
Did you ever read about the pig that saved its owner from dying from a heart attack? It laid down in the middle of the road until a motorist stopped.
Why not try these sites http://farmanimalrescue.org.uk
or http://www.freshfieldsrescue.org.uk
I think you should find out as much as you can about looking after them, by reading some books, or contacting the Smallholder's Society and maybe get some hands on experience from someone who already keeps them.
I want to rescue one too, wink, wink.
What is a "rescue pig"? Do you mean "rescued pig" or do they actually do rescues?
Having a pig for a pet would be cool.
After re-reading your question I have to wonder what you're actually up to. You say the pigs are being saved from factory farms (which means meat) yet you assert that they'll live in the house. Meat hogs are pretty damn big, how can they live in the house?
You could ask the RSPCA,I imagine they can put you in touch with refuges or other rescue centres.
Thank you :-)
OK! you do not believe in non necessary slaughter & so do I. However I love my bacon & pork & I wish to eat to survive; so what am I doing wrong????