These adorable pigs need a new home

Last week, a rescue organization located in Mount View County, Bear Valley Rescue, reached out on their social media asking for help on behalf of two pig owners. 

"We have 2 desperate situations of people looking for homes for their pigs. One is needing a home for 3 pigs (large size, not potbelly) and the other is needing a home for 2 pigs (1 large size, 1 potbelly). If you can help at all please message us." 

Eden Armstrong, who lives in Rockyview county near Calgary, owns the two pigs, an eight-year-old potbelly pig named Truffles, and Koko, a one-and-a-half-year-old Berkshire pig. While she says both pigs are affectionate and incredibly smart, she is no longer able to devote as much time and resources as before because she is now focused on taking care of her infant daughter. Armstrong said the pigs need to be fed three times a day, something that is very hard to do with a baby in tow.  

"I can't take my daughter with me. She's too young and I don't want to strap her to me. So, I can't even go out there, three times in the winter with a baby," she said. "I need a lot of help and it's hard to get it. I have offered to pay for their care and food, potentially if someone can't take them and re-home them. And I have also offered to help build a structure, then they maybe could take them." 

Armstrong added that she is also open to someone taking the pigs and boarding them temporarily until something more permanent can be found, but she also understands that people can get attached quickly to animals. 

Eden Armstrong, who lives in Rockyview County is trying to find a suitable home for her two pigs, Koko (pictured) and Truffles. (Photo provided by Eden Armstrong)

"I'm just really open to anything, but I really have to look out for me and my daughter right now." 

While Truffles has been with her for some time, Koko came by way of being rescued and has been with Armstrong for a little of a year. She said that because Koko was previously abused, she does have behavioural issues, especially when it comes to men being around her.  

"Koko needs to be in a place where you can get her food and water without going in the [enclosure/pen], in case she doesn't want you in there and Truffles is nice, but she's not really housebroken. So, I don't want anybody thinking they're going to get a pet. Of course, they still need our love and affection, food and shelter and water." 

She underlined that while responsibilities and tasks are both physically taxing and take time and effort, it is absolutely worth it. 

"I love caring for them," she said. 

Like Armstrong, Rebecca Thompson is also looking to re-home her pigs. Arnold is a 6-year-old Berkshire pig and 5-and-half-year-old twins Hansel and Gretel. Thompson said that Arnold is very tame and very friendly. 

"Arnold, [when he sees you] he comes over to you. I can rub them on his chin and behind his ears. He's always talking to me and he'll follow me around," she said. "He's got quite a personality." 

Rebecca Thompson, the owner of Arnold (pictured), a Berkshire pig is seeking to re-home her three pigs. (Photo provided by Rebecca Thompson)

Thompson has been trying to find an alternate home for her beloved animals for some time, though there is little interest. 

"I haven't had any luck. I did find a sanctuary down by Calgary and they were going to take them, but the owner of the sanctuary, he's over in Ukraine and they're not taking any in animals at this time. I've been trying to contact other sanctuaries but I haven't had much luck." 

While Arnold is a rather affectionate pig, he does sometimes pick on Hansel, though Thompson said this is because there is a pecking order when it comes to all farmyard animals. 

"He [Hansel] gets picked on by Arnold because he's a bit smaller. They are about 600 pounds. Arnold and Hansel are quite active, and they get to get around quite easily," Thompson said. "I think Gretel has a bit of a sight problem and she's a bit smaller because she's a female." 

She is worried that if the pigs aren't re-homed, they may fall prey to predators, as the area they're staying in does not have proper fencing. She is also increasingly worried about the pigs turning feral. 

"Right now, they're living on a quarter section that my [former partner] is renting, and he doesn't believe in fences. They're running free and I'm not that crazy about that. There's a lot of predators out there," Thompson said.  

Perhaps one of the most intriguing things about Arnold is that although he is a pig, he is a bit of a picky eater. 

"He doesn't like tomatoes or oranges, but they do love it when I clean out my fridge." 

While both women said it wasn't easy to come to the decision to look for another home to take them, but said that they want what is best for the animals they have spent so much time with. 

"It's hard, but it's worth it," Armstrong said.  

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