RESCUE THE OLLERTON 11

A mother pig was discovered in a woodland by a dog walker along with her 10 piglets. She has been named Matilda and has been offered immediate rescued by Brinsley Animal Sanctuary, with a lifelong home with her piglets at Surge Sanctuary where they can all live out their natural lives. They are appealing to the farmer to let her be rescued as she has shown such bravery, determination and strong love for her babies. The dog walker was quoted as saying “she has earnt her freedom now” and we couldn’t agree more.
 
Her motherly instincts kicked in and she knew she had to get herself and her babies to safety to protect them. Pigs would naturally live for 15-20 years, but are generally slaughtered at around 6 months old, unless kept for breeding. Pigs are extremely intelligent, one of the most intelligent species on earth. They can be smarter than some primates, dolphins, dogs and even human toddlers! They are highly social and emotional beings and can pick up on the emotions of other pigs in their group and naturally would live in very complex social groups, similar to wolves or great apes. Pigs communicate to each other with different grunts and oinks, signalling danger or just saying hello. They also have exceptional memories and can distinguish familiar and unfamiliar faces, even remembering who has treated them with kindness or cruelty.  The more we learn about pigs the more we come to understand that they see the world in many of the same way’s humans do.
 
While people may think all pigs look the same, they all have very distinct personalities and while one pig may be confident and independent, another may be sensitive and shy. They love to run, frolic and even wag their tails when they are happy and full of joy, just like a dog would. They interact and play with each other and given the opportunity will even play with toys, such as balls, rope tugs and soft toys.
 
Pigs make amazing mothers to their young, naturally they would build a nest and even sing to their young while nursing. Piglets quickly learn to recognise their mothers voice and will run to her when called. Pigs will learn to forage from their mother, in a natural behaviour called rooting. They can smell 2,000 times more than humans and can locate food deep underground. Unfortunately, Matilda has nose rings pierced into her snout, which prevents her from rooting and finding food for herself and teaching her piglets.
 
Brinsley and Surge are appealing to find the farmer and Louise Smith has said “We are really hopeful the farmer allows us to commence the rescue and get Matilda and her family to a sanctuary where they can live out the rest of their natural lives."
 
Please sign the petition and get Matilda and her babies to freedom with the life they all deserve!

www.brinsleyanimalrescue.org

www.surgesanctuary.org