In spring 2025, we welcomed two very special pigs to our sanctuary, Parsnip and Momma.
Their owner had rescued them from terrible conditions and given them a loving life but was now preparing to move abroad to help set up an elephant sanctuary. Wanting to ensure they continued to receive the care and freedom they deserved, he reached out to us to offer them a new forever home.
As a piglet, Parsnip was sold under the misleading label of a “micro pig” and kept indoors until he inevitably started growing and, well, behaving like a pig! When he became too large and destructive for the house, he was shut away in a garden shed, alone and without any access to the outdoors.
Thankfully, he was rescued at just a few months old by his most recent owner, and finally got the care all pigs deserve, as well as daily walks with his owner’s dogs and sheep!
Parsnip adores being stroked and has a gentle, lovable temperament that wins people over instantly. He’s the perfect ambassador for busting the “micro pig” myth – because (spoiler alert) micro pigs don’t stay micro… and Parsnip is living, snuffling proof!
Momma is an elderly lady – a Kune Kune-pot-bellied cross. Sadly, she came from an even grimmer situation. She was kept in a shipping container, denied sunlight, fresh air, or the ability to root, roam, or stretch.
Her rescuer brought her into the same loving home as Parsnip, where she finally experienced the joy of outdoor life and gentle companionship with both humans and animals.
In Spring 2025, Parsnip and Momma arrived at our sanctuary. They were clearly bonded, so we made sure they stayed together. They spent their early weeks settling into our cosy Pig Barn, getting to know the new sights, smells and sounds around them.
A few months on, they’ve truly blossomed. They’ve now moved to one of the paddocks in our Pig Woodland – a peaceful, leafy space where they can live how pigs are meant to live. Their cosy pig ark keeps them warm and dry, while their outdoor enclosure offers a world of enrichment: mud wallows, shady trees, bushes to snuffle in, and log piles to scratch on. Our Pig Woodland is home to lots of other pig groups, so there are lots of sights, sounds and smells to keep things interesting!
It’s been an honour to give Parsnip and Momma the next chapter they deserve – one full of soft beds, muddy noses and the freedom to just be pigs.
Parsnip and Momma are now safe, loved, and living their best piggy lives – but their journey doesn’t stop here. Here’s how you can support them and their friends here at the sanctuary:
Come and meet Parsnip and Momma in person! They love having visitors (especially those who come bearing belly rubs). A visit also helps support our work and raises awareness about the needs of farmed animals.
Become a pig pal! Sponsoring Parsnip helps cover the costs of food, bedding, vet care, and enrichment – plus you’ll receive a special sponsorship pack. It’s a brilliant way to support our animals if you can’t visit in person.
Every donation, big or small, makes a real difference. Your support helps us provide lifelong care for animals like Parsnip and Momma and allows us to help more animals in need. From cosy straw beds to vet bills and everything in between – your kindness keeps the sanctuary running.
