RSPCA: Help save Jamie's bacon!

Wednesday, 18 March 2009 12:00 AM

A surprise litter of nine piglets has led to an urgent RSPCA appeal to find suitable homes.

It all started when the piglets' proud parents - one year-old Charlotte and Wilber - were brought to the RSPCA's Southridge animal centre in Potters Bar a few months ago. Now the porcine pair has shocked staff with an unexpected litter of piglets, even though Wilber is castrated!

"I couldn't believe it when I came in to see them early one morning and found her lying on her side surrounded by nine new-born pink piglets," said Anna White, animal centre manager.

Staff at the centre have named the piglets after well known celebrity chefs, including Jamie Oliver, who this year championed the cause of British pigs in his programme 'Jamie Saves Our Bacon' and is currently supporting the RSPCA's year long 'Rooting for Pigs' campaign *.

Now Jamie and his brothers and sisters Oliver, Hugh, Fearnley, Anthony, Worral, Ainsley, Harriet and Marguerite are in desperate need of a good home.

"Our centres run at full capacity all the time, and with donations dropping off because of the credit crunch the sad fact is that we cannot afford to keep them indefinitely," said Anna.

"I have been desperately ringing round sanctuaries to see if there is any room, but everyone is struggling at the moment. Our only hope is that we can find people who have the space and expertise to raise Jamie and his brothers and sisters,' she added.

The RSPCA added that pigs are highly social animals and anyone wishing to take on Jamie and his siblings must be prepared to take on more than one. The RSPCA will consider all applications on an individual basis.

Owning and caring for a pig requires a great deal of commitment, time, knowledge, experience, skill, money, sufficient land on which to house the animal, specialist veterinary care when necessary and compliance with the legislation governing keeping a pig, the Society added.

If you would be interested in re-homing Jamie or his siblings, please contact the RSPCA Southridge animal centre on: 01707 622 801.

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Notes for editors: Pictures and interviews available on request, please contact the press office on 0300 123 0244

* The RSPCA are campaigning for better welfare for farmed pigs in their 'Rooting for Pigs' campaign. For more information see www.rspca.org.uk/pigs

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 0870 0555500 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk

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