Two pigs have been rehomed in County Durham after they grew to a full-size after their previous owners thought they had bought micro pigs.
Their original owners bought the two male Kunekunes as pets thinking they were miniatures, but found them too much to handle as they grew in size while living within the confines of a small flat in Gateshead.
Unable to provide for the pigs’ needs, the family contacted the RSPCA, who launched a search to find the duo a new home suited to the exacting demands of their breed.
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Now renamed Smokey and Haggis, they have been left in the care of Clare Dewhurst, who while being a first-time pig owner has plenty of experience of looking after sheep and livestock at her home in County Durham.
Clare took the pair on over the summer and they have proved to be friendly and sociable with her family and are enjoying the outdoor life in a large paddock and pig ark.
RSPCA Chief Inspector Lindsey Avery said: “When Smokey and Haggis’ owners were rehoused to a flat there wasn’t enough room for them and they were being kept in the kitchen which was obviously not suitable. Their owners did the right thing by willingly signing them into our care.
“We had quite a bit of interest in taking the pair on as they are so friendly and clever - but they have very specific needs and Clare was the first to meet the criteria of what we were looking for in an owner.”
Kunekunes pigs were originally kept by New Zealand Maoris and while they may be the smallest domesticated breed of pig in the world, people can underestimate how large they can grow.
They are known for their friendly nature and love of human company, but they will only thrive if they have plenty of outdoor space to run around and where they can display their natural behaviours, such as rooting and foraging.
Potential owners also need to have the relevant holding licence to keep them.
Lindsey added: “Clare has a lovely paddock with a big tree for shelter. She’s got an agricultural background and knows what they need. There is a pig ark so they have outside shelter, as well as somewhere to sleep at night in a side stable.
“It has been a great outcome for this rehoming as we know it is a big commitment to keep pigs like these. They can live a long time and people sometimes don’t take into account that they are not going to stay small forever.
“They think they are “mini” pigs and don’t understand that they will grow to be adult pigs who need a lot of space. So living indoors, as they were, was a completely unsuitable environment for them.
“Now Smokey and Haggis have got lots of land and an owner who has researched the breed. She is really committed to providing them with a good home.”
The Kunekune pair, who are between one and two years old, are believed to be brothers, which is why they were rehomed together by RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre.
They were underweight when they arrived into RSPCA care earlier this year. But they spent some time at a foster home, where they returned to a healthy condition by being fed a proper diet and living in a suitable environment.
New owner Clare said: “We’re a farming family and we have had pet sheep and horses, but we’ve not had pigs before. We planned to get some for our daughter as she grows up and she adores both of them. They have settled in so well.
"I couldn’t believe they’d been kept in a flat, although you can tell they have spent time living indoors as they are very clean. They won’t toilet in their shelter and go outside to do their business!"
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