Our Adoption Process
Initial Stages
If you would like to adopt a pig or pigs with Every Pig Rescue Service please read our Set Up Guide and Pig Care information. If you think you are able to offer a great home, you can fill out an application form. Each piggy profile has its own form, or you can fill out our General Adoption Application form. We will use the information provided to match you with your perfect pig(s).
You do not need to have your set up fully pig-ready. We will be more than happy to help you create a great home for pigs. Please drop us an email to discuss how to proceed at rescue@everypig.org.
While you are waiting to hear from us you should make sure that you have all of the necessary documentation in order. Everyone who keeps pigs in the UK is required by law to have a CPH number and herd mark. You can find more information on how to go about acquiring these here. You do not need to have these in place at the beginning of the application process, but they will be required in order to complete an adoption.
Phone Call
Once we have completed our initial assessments, a member of our team will contact you by phone to discuss your application in more detail. This call is an opportunity to talk through your set up, experience, and any questions you may have. We will also ask you to provide several photographs and videos of your setup. After we have discussed and seen your set up, we may suggest some adjustments needed to make your set up pig-perfect.
Once we are confident you can provide a suitable long-term home, we will discuss potential matches from the pigs on our caseload. We will share more information about any suitable pigs and answer any questions you may have, so you can decide whether they are a good fit for you, your home, and your family.
If there is a good match and everyone is happy to proceed, we will then guide both sides through the next steps, including the current owner signing a surrender contract and you signing an adoption contract.
Transport
Transport arrangements will vary depending on the circumstances of each case, including distance and logistics. We will work with all parties to agree on a plan that prioritises the pigs’ welfare and comfort. We will also ensure that timings and handling are appropriate to minimise stress as much as possible. In some cases, the current owner may transport the pig(s) themselves, or the new home may be able to collect if they have suitable transport. Where needed, we can also help arrange transport through one of the reliable transporters we work with.
A movement licence is required by law to transport pigs in the UK. Organising this is usually the responsibility of the current owner, but they will require your full name, CPH number, herd mark and address. When the pigs arrive on your property, you must register them to your land within 30 days.
Introductions
If you already have a pig or pigs in your care you should be fully prepared for introductions before the new pig arrives. We advocate for every pig to have same-species companionship and introductions are a vital part of successful integration between unfamiliar pigs. You can read all about how to go about preparing for and carrying out successful introductions here. You do not need to alter your set up permanently, just long enough for the pigs to get to know each other. We are always happy to discuss how you can go about moderating your space to create happy, bonded pigs!
Post-Arrival
New pigs should be quarantined from any existing animals for a minimum of 2–4 weeks, depending on your setup and any advice from your vet. We also ask that you arrange a veterinary check shortly after arrival to ensure they are in good health and to establish care with your vet.
It’s also important to remember that moving is a big change, and pigs can take a little time to adjust. It’s not unusual for them to spend their first day or two tucked away in their shelter while they settle into their new environment.
Follow Up
We will check in with you once the pigs arrive to make sure they have travelled and unloaded safely and are settled into their new living area. We will follow up over the next few days to ensure their relocation is going smoothly and to support you with any adjustment issues. We will also check in again after a few weeks to make sure you and your pigs are settling into life together.
We will ask you to share some photos and videos of the pigs in their new home. We may use a selection of these on our social media to help us reach more people and find homes for other pigs.
Adoption fee/donation
We ask for a minimum £100 donation for each successful adoption. That is per adoption not per pig. This can be waived in certain circumstances, for example if you adopt one our Urgent Cases. You can read all about where donations go here.