Stray Pot-Bellied Pig Finds a New Home Through Pasadena Humane

A Vietnamese pot-bellied pig named Sir Oinks-A-Lot has found a new family after arriving at Pasadena Humane as a stray and quickly winning over staff and volunteers.

Pasadena Humane regularly cares for dogs, cats and small animals such as hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits. The shelter also occasionally receives less common animals, including two-foot-long ball pythons and 20-year-old tortoises. Even so, the arrival of a stray Vietnamese pot-bellied pig came as a surprise.

Pasadena Humane named the young pig Sir Oinks-A-Lot, and he soon became a favorite among staff members and volunteers. When people approached his kennel, he would quickly trot over to greet them with enthusiastic oinks. In the shelter’s play yard, he eagerly soaked up attention and seemed to enjoy showing off his fashionable pink harness to his fans.

Sir Oinks-A-Lot also enjoyed curling up in people’s laps and being held. Although he was a little pig, he had a large personality and was easy to love, just like animals of any other species.

No owner came forward to reclaim him. Once his stray hold was complete, Pasadena Humane began searching for an adopter who could provide an appropriate home.

Pigs can make wonderful pets. They are social, can learn tricks and can be as intelligent as a 3-year-old child. Some, including Sir Oinks-A-Lot, also enjoy cuddling. However, pigs have specialized needs involving medical care, nutrition, enrichment, living space and other aspects of their care.

At the time, Sir Oinks-A-Lot was about 6 months old and weighed approximately 15 pounds. Pasadena Humane expected him to reach 200 pounds or more when fully grown. His future size meant that an adopter would need enough room to accommodate him as he grew.

Finding the right home presented an additional challenge. According to Pasadena Humane, many communities, including Pasadena, do not allow pigs to be kept as pets. The shelter therefore needed to find adopters who understood his care requirements, had sufficient space and lived in an area where pigs were allowed.

The search eventually led to a family that was already in love with Sir Oinks-A-Lot and able to provide what he needed. He left the shelter for a new home with plenty of room to play and root, along with a dog companion.

Sir Oinks-A-Lot still enjoys being a lap pig, although Pasadena Humane staff members imagine that may change as he grows larger. For now, he is beginning new adventures with a family that can keep him happy, healthy and loved.

Pasadena Humane expressed gratitude to the staff members and volunteers who cared for Sir Oinks-A-Lot during his stay. The organization also praised its adoptions team for matching him with adopters able to provide the care, space and support he needs.

His successful adoption, Pasadena Humane said, demonstrates that no matter what kind of animal comes through the shelter’s doors, its mission remains the same: “compassion and care for ALL animals.”