Comedian John Bishop adopts RSPCA pig after wife ‘falls in love’ with his video
Milo the pot bellied pig was snapped up by the family after a video of him was spotted online.
The three-year-old black pig was being cared for at the charity’s Block Fen Animal Centre in Cambridgeshire after originally being found wandering around a housing estate in Leicestershire in February 2012 by an RSPCA inspector.
He was briefly rehomed in March 2012 but then returned in June due to a change in family circumstances.
After home checks made sure the Bishop household had the necessary facilities to care for Milo, he was moved in on 16 April using a livestock trailer.
Jackie Williams, Block Fen manager, said: "John's wife contacted us after seeing a video of Milo on our website – she said she just fell in love with him then and there.
"We are delighted John and his family have adopted him after his difficult start in life. They are obviously very excited about the new member of their family and have taken great care to ensure they have everything he needs.
"Some people buy pigs on a whim and think you can just keep them in the back garden – which is why we get animals like Milo handed in. But they are highly intelligent, social animals who need to be given very specific care. We always have to do very thorough home checks to make sure they will be properly looked after, but in this case it looks like he has found a brilliant new home and be very spoiled.
"I just hope we can find such happy forever homes for all the other animals we have waiting for them.
Pigs need very specific care. They prefer to be in the company of other pigs, not kept inside a person’s house and also need to be treated by a vet who is knowledgeable about the breed. They need plenty of space outside and things to occupy them as well as a suitable shelter.
You can find more information on the requirements for ensuring the welfare of a pig and the many legal requirements at: http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/farmanimals/pigs
If you would like to help the RSPCA, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message)
Notes to editors
Images and interviews with the manager of Block Fen are available on request. John Bishop is not available for interview.
A link to the original footage of Milo can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=539540296139780&set=vb.397666673674265&type=3&theater
Information about the 11 other pigs we have available for rehoming can be found here:
Show you care for animals during RSPCA Week this year and do something
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