Can you give a pig a home?

THE RSPCA’s West Hatch animal centre in Somerset is searching for good homes for four rare breed pigs that came into their care as a result of  prosecution.

The four sows are Oxford Sandy and Black pigs and are two years old and weigh around 200 kilos each.

Plum is a grey pig with black spots and Pudding, Sandy and Oxford are all sandy with black spots.

RSPCA animal centre supervisor Anastasia Rosenberg said: “All four pigs are very tame. They come to your voice and are very responsive. If you scratch their tummies they will lie down and roll over.

PHOTO: An Oxford and Sandy Black pig. The RSPCA centre at West Hatch near Taunton are looking to find a home for four of them.

“Plum and Pudding are very affectionate and will follow you like a dog does. Sandy and Oxford are more independent and will come up for a scratch and then move off.

“We are happy to rehome them in pairs or one by one if someone has a solitary pig that needs company

“Anyone who feels they can offer a home to these pigs will need to have a lot of space. They are so heavy that they mash the ground up badly in wet weather and need to have a sty on hard standing with access to a field in the drier weather.”

Pigs are social, herd animals and need to be housed in a way that allows at least two pigs, which get on well, to live together.

In general, pigs are not suitable as pets, due to their specific needs. They can live a lot longer than the average cat and dog and need a minimum area of 36 square metres of ground per pig.

There are also very strict regulations on their food to prevent the spread of disease. Pigs require a licence if being moved, they also need specialist veterinary care.

If you feel you can offer a home to these pigs please contact Anastasia Rosenberg at RSPCA West Hatch, Taunton, TA3 5RT or by phoning 0300 123 074.

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