After being in the care of a local animal sanctuary, a sweet pot belly pig named Charlie is on the road to recovery.
On Friday, April 2, the owners of "Ralphy's Retreat Animal Sanctuary" in Wyevale were told about a distressed newborn potbelly piglet walking around the Bradford area.
When he arrived in their care, owner Shannon Leguizamon discovered that Charlie was severely emaciated and suffering from prolapsed genitals and mange, a severe skin condition.
We also discovered he's not a baby, Leguizamon says.
"He's estimated to be between 6-12 months old and weighs just ten pounds. The typical weight for a pig his age is 20-25 pounds, so he was extremely malnourished."
"When we took him to the vet, they determined that because he was so weak and malnourished, he didn't have the strength to be able to retract his genitals," Leguizamon explains.
Thanks to plenty of T.L.C, Charlie is now improving every day.
He's eating more food in small portions and is increasingly active. He happily snorts while wagging his tail, and he loves a good belly rub.
Leguizamon wants to share Charlie's story as a warning to do your research if you're thinking about getting a potbelly pig.
"Although pigs are super cute, they require a lot of care. Many townships and cities don't allow pigs as pets, so they come into our care because the city seized them." She explains.
"They're also extremely smart with the average intelligence of a three-year-old, so they require a lot of stimulus and attention."
"A bored or depressed pig can become destructive, so many people get themselves into situations where they might not be able to care for them."
Another issue is the myth surrounding so-called "teacup pigs."
"They are a breeder scam and don't exist," Leguizamon warns.
"At our sanctuary, we have a pig named Rocco, who was once sold for a high price tag as a 'teacup pig,' and he's one of our largest at 350 pounds!"
I suggest people interested in adopting these animals reach out to an organization like ours and get informed. Leguizamon concludes.
If you would like more information, head over to Ralphy's Retreat Animal Sanctuary or follow them on facebook
images courtesy of Ralphy's Retreat Animal Sanctuary Via Facebook
