Bucks County’s Pig Placement Networks can help deserted animals

Bucks County’s Pig Placement Networks can help deserted animals

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A Bucks County organization has pigs as clientele, and they are operating round the clock to find for good houses for them.

The Pig Placement Networks at Ross Mill Farm in Jamison, Pa., doubles up as a boarding facility for pet pigs although serving as a dwelling to abused and abandoned pigs that are up for adoption.

A sign reads welcome to Ross Mill Farm.
The Pig Placement Network is centered at Ross Mill Farm. (David Matthau/WHYY)

“We’re placing pigs all about the state, we’re like a match-generating group, whereby we’re attempting to educate the prospective new relatives to the pigs who will need a property,” mentioned Susan Armstrong-Magidson, 76, founder and president of the Pig Placement Community.

Two pigs in a pen look through the fence, posing for a photo.
Two pigs in a pen hoping to be adopted. (David Matthau/WHYY)

She explained she fell in enjoy with pigs 33 years back mainly because they’re good, emotional and clever.

“They truly consider as a result of predicaments so they can get their way,” Magidson mentioned. “They know if they do this initially then this will occur, so they can basically out-manipulate us.”

Jim Plunkett, 56, from Coopersburg, Pa., agreed.

On a chilly November afternoon, he was dropping off his two pigs, Nolan and Lil Woman, for a handful of times so he and his wife could pay a visit to their daughter out of city. He stated having pet pigs is superb, but they are sneaky.

Jim Plunkett looks down on his two pet pigs, Nolan and Lil Girl, who are cuddled together for a nap.
Jim Plunkett and his two pigs Nolan and Lil Woman. (David Matthau/WHYY)

“They get into each and every cupboard you can consider, you have to have youngster locks everywhere, they know wherever the foodstuff is, no matter whether you consider you’re hiding it or not,” he said.

Armstrong-Magidson reported some of the pigs below her treatment continue being indoors, even though some others are extra like barnyard pets roaming about the farm. The boarders have outside and indoor pens, and most of them typically curl up on a blanket and choose a nap in the lodge creating in the afternoons.

Pigs settle down for naps on blankets in different crated areas.
The pigs settle down for a midday nap on their blankets. (David Matthau/WHYY)

What does it acquire to be a pig owner?

You have to have a house and some open up place, and you require to be capable to give your pet good quality time.

Plunkett stated Nolan and Lil Female rest next to each other, but they commonly squabble about awareness and treats for the duration of the day. Using care of them normally takes a large amount of function, he said, and cautions aspiring pig entrepreneurs to assume it by way of before deciding to undertake.

“Do by yourself a favor, do your investigate, make guaranteed it is the correct matter to do,” he recommended.

A pet pig stands in the grass
A pig hoping to be adopted at Ross Mill Farm. (David Matthau/WHYY)

Armstrong-Magidson said condominium life is not great for pet pigs because they need a property to operate all around in and graze.

“They eat greenery and grass but they also need to have a pelletized grain-primarily based meals,” she mentioned. “Pigs like to roll about in mud because it helps make their system temperatures amazing down, it functions as sunblock, it is an insect repellent, and it also exfoliates their skin.”