The reality of pig welfare today is more urgent than ever. Living conditions for these intelligent creatures is under scrutiny, when it’s been found that factory-farmed pigs live in awful conditions, with limited opportunities for natural behaviours.
If you eat pig meat, then at least choose certified organic free-range. Or better yet, try to switch to vegan bacon, ham, sausages and porkless pies!
Understanding Pig Welfare
Pigs are fascinating creatures, as intelligent as young children with strong social networks. They can’t sweat, which is why they roll in mud (they are very clean animals, and fantastic parents who sing to their piglets!)
Waste from pig farms also contaminates water supplies, and affects both local ecosystems and human communities. It’s also a big contributor to climate change gas emissions.
How We Can Help Pigs
Choosing plant-based foods is the best way to help, as we don’t have enough free-range land in England. So if you don’t want factory farms, either go vegan or almost vegan. It’s the only answer.
Rescue Stories of Farmed Pigs
- Freedom Farm: A sanctuary that recently rescued over 100 pigs from a neglected farm, giving them a chance to roam and play freely. Here, pigs flourish, and visitors can truly see the personalities of these intelligent animals.
- The Big Escape: A particularly bold rescue involved a massive operation where several organisations worked together to save pigs from a closing down slaughterhouse. These pigs are now thriving and being cared for in loving homes.
These heart-warming stories remind us that every effort counts. By supporting or volunteering with rescue missions, we can be part of these happy endings.
Pig sanctuaries are usually run on tiny shoestring budgets, by dedicated volunteers. Usually you can’t visit them, as the animals are privately cared for, to get over their traumas. But such sanctuaries are desperate for funds, so do give a little something out of your pay packet, if you can afford to do so:
