During August 2021, we received a call from a woman living in Sequim on a farm with her husband who raise cattle and pigs. She explained that even though they are in the meat business, she was trying to find a home for a young, 250 pound male farm pig that she didn't want to slaughter. Apparently, this particular pig had become somewhat of a pet to members of her family and some neighbors.
The behavior of the pig was surprising given the environment in which it was raised as simply another economic unit. Somehow, the pig overcame the innate fear of humans upon having his front teeth clipped, ears notched, without and castrated without anesthesia.
After checking out the woman's farm, Precious Life Animal Sanctuary understood the difficulty of finding a place to allow the growing pig to live out his natural life. We also appreciated the spark of empathy the couple showed in wanting to spare his life.
The sanctuary agreed to take the pig who was driven over and unloaded into the spacious pig enclosure. Right inside the gate are drinking tubs, a bathing stock tank, feed hoppers, and stands of fir and cedar that provide welcome shade on hot days.
The farm family related they had kept the well-structured Berkshire pig on a diet to not burden his legs. The pig was surprised to see the feed hoppers allowing him to munch on food whenever he became hungry just like his human caretakers! However, an effort was made to monitor his feed in addition to all the fresh fruit and other treats discarded from a nearby supermarket.
When trying to come up with a name for the pig, Caryl, my wife and Sanctuary co-founder, suggested ‘Porky’ after his close brush with death. Sadly, Caryl who was seriously ill at the time later passed away without ever seeing him.
After his arrival, Porky began to explore his enormous surroundings and first-class sleeping quarters. Eventually, he caught up with Miss Oinkers, who weighs approximately 600 pounds. Initially, after hearing her aggressive snorts and squeals, Porky kept his distance and understood she is the "Queen Bee of the pig enclosure.
Miss Oinkers is extremely temperamental and insecure giving her horrific background and it took some time before Porky, the adolescent male, was accepted. Now they are inseparable.
