An animal rescue shelter has said it is overwhelmed with pigs and “We can’t take anymore.” 

During the pandemic, the number of people acquiring a pet soared. Most wanted a dog or cat but some wanted a pig instead. 

With restrictions over, many have since realised that they no longer want a pet and the number of people turning their pets over to animal shelters has surged. 

“In our dedicated pig rescue we now have 120 pigs,” Martina Kenny of My Lovely Horse Rescue told Moncrieff. 

“And on the main farm in Kildare on My Lovely Horse Rescue Farm we have 16.” 

There are also quite a few more on the way as some of the sows are pregnant. 

“We can’t take anymore, we have a waiting list at the moment and what we are trying to do to people is just educate them,” she said. 

“You can look after the pig; we’ll show you how, we’ll talk you through it, the correct food. 

“You don’t just shove it in a small little area and let it get all mucky - pigs are very clean animals and they love a dry bed.” 

A herd of pigs in farmyard. Image: Deyana Robova / Alamy Stock Photo

Many people buy a so-called ‘micropig’ that they think will stay small and be easy to handle; however, they quickly realise their mistake. 

“We’ve got a pig, she must be about 40 or 45 stone and a guy in Finglas bought her for his girlfriend for a surprise and that surprise just kept growing,” Martina said.  

Despite this, Martina says they are “amazing” and by some distance her favourite animals to look after. 

“They’re unbelievable, they’re so intelligent, we have a pig that opens a fridge,” she said.  

Pet pigs are supposed to be tagged but Martina says this is not enforced often enough.   

“You’re supposed to have your pig number and it should be tagged. 

“The problem is, our Government, the Department of Agriculture, they’re not pushing this… People are getting away with an awful lot of stuff.”

Main image: Pigs.