This resource has been updated as part of the veterinary review process. It was originally published on March 15, 2018.

Veterinary Review Initiative
This resource has been reviewed for accuracy and clarity by a qualified Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with farmed animalA species or specific breed of animal that is raised by humans for the use of their bodies or what comes from their bodies. sanctuary experience as of November 2024.

Check out more information on our Veterinary Review Initiative here!

When a new pig arrives at your sanctuary, several critical steps must be taken to ensure the safety and health of the incoming resident, the existing residents, and sanctuary humans! In this resource, we’ll discuss important incoming protocols for pigs, but as you’ll see, the specifics of your incoming protocols may vary depending on your region, philosophy of care, and unique circumstances. The following information is meant to give folks a basic understanding of the types of incoming protocols that may be necessary when welcoming pigs to their sanctuary, but we recommend folks work with their veterinarian to identify the most appropriate incoming protocols for their sanctuary.

Take Notes!
Remember to keep track of all intake information and records of any new resident. You can find our resident record-keeping guide here.

Identify The Specific Needs Of Incoming Individuals

Before welcoming a new resident, it’s important to have at least a basic understanding of their species’ needs so that you can prepare to meet those needs. We provide general recommendations regarding the nutritional, housing, and care requirements of pigs, but it’s important to consider if new arrivals have different needs or require any special accommodations based on factors such as their age, health status, known history, or the circumstances of their recent living situation. In some cases, this will be something you can figure out before even meeting the new arrival based on the information you are provided with, but other times you’ll gather this information after their arrival, for example, during their intake evaluation, a veterinary exam, or during your observation of the individual (as described below). 

Each new resident and situation will be different, but we want to highlight a few of the more common situations sanctuaries may encounter and how to proceed:

Welcoming Neonates

Piglets have very different needs than mature pigs. It’s important to be aware of these differences before welcoming a piglet to your sanctuary so that you can provide them with the care they need to thrive. You can read more about caring for piglets here. 

Welcoming A Mother And Her Piglets

If you welcome a mother pig along with her nursing piglets, you will need to take care when working with the mother or her babies. Mother pigs tend to be very protective of their piglets which could manifest as more confrontationalBehaviors such as chasing, cornering, biting, kicking, problematic mounting, or otherwise engaging in consistent behavior that may cause mental or physical discomfort or injury to another individual, or using these behaviors to block an individual's access to resources such as food, water, shade, shelter, or other residents. behaviors toward humans. While some mothers may become agitated just by the presence of a human near their babies, others may only become agitated if one of their babies screams (which a healthy piglet will typically do when handled or restrained). A screaming piglet can quickly result in an agitated and fast-moving mother, which can not only pose a safety risk to humans but can also put piglets at risk of being accidentally stepped on.

Those working with the pig family should be well versed in pig body language and vocalizations so that they can watch for signs that the mother or babies are becoming stressed. While you should not force a mother pig to live separately from her babies unless absolutely necessary for their health, you may find that very brief separation is necessary to safely evaluate a piglet or perform certain health care procedures without agitating the mother. You can read more about creating living spaces for mother pigs and their babies and can also find tips for safely working around them in our piglet care resource. 

Welcoming Elderly Pigs

While some older pigs will continue to thrive with the same care you provide to other pig residents, other individuals may require something different, such as supplemental food, additional warmth in colder temperatures, or living spaces that are easier to navigate. You can read more about caring for elderly pigs here.

Welcoming Individuals Who Are Obese

Depending on the individual’s previous living situation, they may arrive significantly overweight. Pigs who are overweight may be much less active than the rest of your pig residents and can develop secondary issues such as arthritis, foot issues, and pressure sores. Pigs can become so obese that folds of skin cover their eyes making them unable to see – this mechanical blindness is called “fat blindness” and is especially common in potbellied pigs. Additionally, in overweight potbellied pigs, their belly may be so large that it drags on the ground when they walk, which can result in skin abrasions and sores. If you take in individuals who are overweight, you will need to encourage weight loss slowly and carefully, which can be a long process. 

Be sure to consult with your veterinarian for specific guidance regarding how to encourage healthy weight loss. Keep in mind that individuals who are used to eating lots of treats or high-calorie diets may be reluctant to eat the healthier diet you have to offer. To get them accustomed to the new diet, you may need to initially offer a mix of your pig pellets and something similar to what they were eating previously, and then slowly transition them to eating solely what your pig residents are fed. You also may need to get creative when finding ways to motivate them to get active – perhaps slowly moving the area in which they eat further away from where they spend most of their time or using pig-safe enrichment to encourage exploration that requires a good amount of movement!

Welcoming Individuals Who Have Not Been Spayed Or Neutered

If taking in sexually mature residents who are not yet spayed or neutered, make sure to pay extra attention to their reactions when you approach or enter their space. Not all intact males (boars) are confrontational, but they may behave differently than mature male pigs who are neutered. Unspayed females also behave differently than their spayed counterparts. They will go into estrus (“heat”) approximately every three weeks and can be quite confrontational during this time.

Welcoming Fearful Or Confrontational Individuals

If the new pig is fearful or confrontational, be sure to keep human safety in mind when working with the new resident. Being in a confined space with a fearful or confrontational pig, especially a larger pig, has the potential to be quite dangerous. It’s important to teach staff to read pig body language and watch for signs of agitation and fear so they can avoid potentially dangerous situations. Pig boards (also called sorting panels or sorting boards) can be a useful tool when working with individuals who are fearful or confrontational (or whose reaction to human presence is still unknown) and can act as a protective barrier between a caregiverSomeone who provides daily care, specifically for animal residents at an animal sanctuary, shelter, or rescue. and a pig resident. 

Welcoming Light-Skinned Individuals Who Have Not Had Outdoor Access

If you take in a light-skinned pig who has not had outdoor access for some time, you will need to take extra precautions to protect their sensitive skin from the sun. While some pig residents may only need sunscreen on the backside of their ears, individuals who have not been outdoors may need most of their body covered in sunscreen at first.

Welcoming Individuals From Cruelty Or Neglect Situations

If you take in an individual from a cruelty or neglect situation where they may have been deprived of water, you must be very careful about their water intake. While the general rule is that pig residents should have constant, unrestricted access to fresh drinking water, this can actually cause serious issues in individuals who have been deprived of water – this condition is commonly referred to as salt poisoning. Giving individuals who have been deprived of water sudden, unrestricted access to water can result in clinical signs of salt poisoning (and in individuals who are already showing clinical signs, can result in more severe signs). Instead of giving these individuals unrestricted access to drinking water, they must be rehydrated slowly over 2-3 days. You should consult with your veterinarian about the most appropriate rehydration plan for the individual.

Adhere To A Quarantine Policy

While the specifics of what each new arrival needs in terms of things like diet or housing may vary, one universal truth is that all new arrivals must be quarantined to prevent possible disease spread between the new resident and others. QuarantineThe policy or space in which an individual is separately housed away from others as a preventative measure to protect other residents from potentially contagious health conditions, such as in the case of new residents or residents who may have been exposed to certain diseases. is critical for all new residents of any species, even if they appear healthy and even if you know exactly where the individual came from! Quarantine procedures protect the rest of your residents (and the humans who care for them) from infectious diseases that may not be producing clinical signs in a healthy-looking arrival – an entire herd could easily be infected and possibly even killed by certain infectious diseases. You can read more about quarantine protocols here.  

If you’re taking in a group of pigs that were living together previously, you can probably quarantine them together since it’s likely that any infectious diseases one has the others have already been exposed to, and staying together may put the new residents more at ease. However, if an individual seems very ill, is behaving oddly, or has skin lesions or diarrhea, they should be isolated from the others and evaluated by a veterinarian. Additionally, if the group includes a mix of females and unneutered males who are sexually mature, you will need to take steps to prevent breeding. When welcoming a group of individuals, be sure to monitor them to ensure that the current social dynamics are safe – just because they came in together, doesn’t necessarily mean they get along well. If anyone appears to be getting picked on, find a way to split the group to reduce tensions while avoiding anyone having to live alone unless absolutely necessary.

Enrichment Can Help!
Companionship for social animals such as pigs is very important to their health. While quarantine must be given priority for new residents, it’s important to also consider their mental well-being during this time. An enrichment plan can go a long way in reducing stress, boredom, and loneliness for a quarantined individual, and we’ve got multiple resources that can give you ideas for how to do this. We suggest starting with our resources on social enrichment and pig-safe enrichment.

Evaluate The New Pig’s Health

When welcoming a new resident to your sanctuary, you must assess their overall health to ensure you are addressing any issues as soon as possible. This is accomplished through initial observations, an intake evaluation, ongoing observation, and possibly a veterinarian’s assessment of the individual, especially if the new resident shows any signs of concern or is part of a pending cruelty case. Diagnostic testing also plays an important role in evaluating the new arrival’s health and will be discussed later on.

Veterinary Examinations For New Arrivals
If a new arrival is showing signs of concern, you should consult with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action, which may be to have them seen immediately or to schedule an upcoming exam and closely monitor them in the meantime. But what about individuals who are seemingly healthy or who have minor issues that you are properly trained to manage on your own? If possible, it’s beneficial to schedule a time for them to be examined by your veterinarian as well! In addition to potentially catching health concerns you were not aware of, your veterinarian will be able to gather information specific to the individual that may come in handy later on (for example, baseline blood work and vitals). Additionally, seeing the new resident and understanding their history will allow your veterinarian to make specific recommendations regarding their care, which might include a slight alteration to your typical intake procedures.

Initial Observations

Whenever you welcome a new resident to your sanctuary, it is crucial that you spend some time observing the individual upon arrival to determine any immediate needs they may have. If you or your staff picked up the individual and transported them back to the sanctuary, this observation process will actually begin before the new resident sets foot on sanctuary grounds. Through thoughtful observation, you may be able to identify signs of concern that warrant immediate veterinary care or further assessment on your part. This part of the intake process will also help determine if an intake evaluation (described below) should happen immediately or if you can wait for the new resident to settle in a little bit. In instances where you are taking in multiple new residents, your initial observations can help inform the order in which you perform intake evaluations, prioritizing individuals who appear to require more immediate assessment.

In addition to observing new arrivals for signs of concern, this is also a good time to consider your current plans in terms of their care, diet, housing, etc., and whether or not these plans need to be adjusted based on your initial observations.

Identification
If you are taking in pigs who look very similar, you must have a system of identifying individuals while you are getting to know who is who. Every individual will have their own unique characteristics, so it may be helpful to take lots of pictures and write out thorough descriptions for staff and volunteers to refer to while learning everyone’s names. However, in some cases, additional, temporary identification may be needed. Animal-safe temporary paints and markers are available that can be used to assist with identification until personnel are familiar with who’s who. By placing a small mark or possibly their first initial on their side, sanctuary personnel may be better able to learn each individual’s name. These marks will fade over time.

What About Ear Tags?
Ear tags are not a form of identification we recommend for sanctuaries because they are an invasive form of identification that causes pain, and there are other pain-free ways for caregivers to reliably identify residents. Additionally, ear tags perpetuate the notion that farmed animalsA species or specific breed of animal that is raised by humans for the use of their bodies or what comes from their bodies. are numbers rather than individuals. But what if a new pig arrives with an ear tag? Should it be left in? Unfortunately, this is not an easy question for us to answer. We recommend familiarizing yourself with the regulations in your region and consulting with your veterinarian and legal counsel for guidance. In most cases, it is considered unlawful to remove official ear tags, though some sanctuaries understand this and choose to do so anyway. Non-official ear tags are typically fine to remove (though we do recommend saving these and keeping them with the individual’s record).

It’s important to understand the possible ramifications of removing ear tags for the resident and your organization if it is discovered that official tags have been removed or if a resident escapes and is picked up by another individual, such as a farmer. Sometimes, an official ear tag is the only way to prove that the individual is free from certain diseases, and lacking this proof could put the individual (and those they have come into contact with) at risk of government control efforts. Additionally, if the individual is to be adopted out of your region, official identification will likely be necessary as part of transport across state lines, so removal may mean they need to be retagged later on (though an official microchip may be a suitable alternative). Ear tags are also one of the more broadly recognized and more obvious ways of showing “ownership” of farmed animal species such as pigs. While this is one of the reasons sanctuaries may be opposed to the practice of keeping ear tags in, there may also be a situation where the presence of an ear tag makes it easier to prove “ownership” of a resident who gets loose. While microchips can also be used as proof of “ownership,” not everyone who finds a stray pig is going to consider the possibility of them being microchipped, meaning a loose resident may be assumed to be “owner-less” if they do not have an ear tag.

Like many farmed animal sanctuariesAnimal sanctuaries that primarily care for rescued animals that were farmed by humans., we are strongly against the practice of ear tagging and recognize the important symbolism of ear tag removal once the individual has found sanctuary, but we also believe it is important that sanctuaries fully understand the potential risks involved when it comes to the removal of official identification. Seek legal counsel so that you fully understand the potential risks involved and have a plan in place should you find yourself in legal trouble.

In instances where ear tags must be left in, sanctuaries must continue to differentiate themselves from exploitative settings. All residents should be named, and their names should be the primary way in which they are referred to and communicated about. When talking with guests or sharing stories online, explaining why a certain resident has an ear tag and making a point of stressing that their ear tag is not who they are, can go a long way in both educating the public about how farmed animals are treated and how sanctuaries are different.

Prioritize An Intake Evaluation

It’s important to perform an intake evaluation on all new residents. Ideally, we recommend new arrivals either be seen by a veterinarian or have an intake evaluation performed within 24 hours of arrival, though some individuals may need even more immediate assessment. An intake evaluation includes conducting a full health check to evaluate their overall health and to learn more about the individual, as well as gather important information for their permanent record. Be sure to follow quarantine procedures while conducting the intake evaluation. To learn more about the intake evaluation process, including how to prioritize assessing and addressing a new resident’s needs, check out our resource here! If, for whatever reason, you are unable to perform a full health evaluation shortly after their arrival, you will need to closely observe new residents for signs of concern and take steps to address those concerns appropriately.

An intake evaluation is conducted in much the same way as a routine health checkThe Open Sanctuary Project uses the term "health check" to describe health evaluations performed by caregivers who are not licensed veterinarians. While regular health checks are an important part of animal care, they are not meant to be a replacement for a physical exam performed by a licensed veterinarian. – you should check every inch of the individual, looking for any signs of concern, and providing any necessary treatments. While there are a variety of issues you may find during a new pig resident’s intake evaluation, there are some health challenges that are especially common in new pigs. These include:

• Foot Issues – Because sanctuaries often take in individuals who may have had their needs neglected, it’s not uncommon for new pigs to arrive with issues such as overgrown hooves, hoof cracks, or foot infections. Overgrown hooves should be trimmed during the intake evaluation (or soon after), and any concerns should be brought to your veterinarian. Of particular note, if a new resident has any swelling, heat, sensitivity, or discharge at the coronary band, is showing signs of lameness, or has a deep crack or other abnormality, be sure to contact your veterinarian right away.
• Mobility Issues – You should assess the individual’s mobility by watching them walk and looking for any abnormalities in their gaitA specific way of moving and the rhythmic patterns of hooves and legs. Gaits are natural (walking, trotting, galloping) or acquired meaning humans have had a hand in changing their gaits for "sport". or shifting of weight when standing. Mobility issues can be caused by a variety of issues including arthritis, obesity, foot issues, illness, or injury. Be sure to have pigs with mobility issues evaluated by a veterinarian to determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
• Respiratory Illness – Watch closely, both during the intake evaluation and during the quarantine period, for any signs of respiratory illness such as nasal discharge, coughing, open-mouth breathing, an elevated respiratory rate, fever, or breathing that sounds wet, raspy, or wheezy. Be sure to contact your veterinarian if an individual is showing these signs. They can evaluate the pig’s lungs, recommend diagnostic testing, and ultimately offer treatment options. 
• Skin issues – There are a variety of skin issues you may see with newly rescued pigs. Light-skinned pigs who have been without proper shelter and protection from the sun may arrive with severely sunburned skin, and some pigs may show signs of skin cancer from prolonged sun exposure throughout their lives. There are also several diseases that cause skin lesions in pigs, so be sure to work with your veterinarian to have individuals with skin lesions examined. Pigs are prone to fungal and bacterial skin infections, including MRSA infections, and can also develop mange (from a mite infestation) so adhering to quarantine procedures is imperative to protect sanctuary personnel and other residents. Because mange is common but not all pigs will show typical lesions, your veterinarian may recommend treating all incoming pigs for mange. 

Assess Pregnancy Status In Females
In addition to evaluating their health and looking for signs of concern, sexually mature females should also be evaluated for pregnancy, which can be accomplished with a trans-abdominal ultrasound. If an incoming resident is early on in their pregnancy, some sanctuaries choose to administer Lutalyse (or a similar product) to induce miscarriage. This decision ultimately depends on an individual sanctuary’s Philosophy of Care.

Ongoing Observation

Some health conditions may take time to manifest outward symptoms. Therefore, in addition to evaluating their health upon arrival and during their intake evaluation, it’s important to continue to closely monitor new residents for signs of disease. While all residents should be observed closely each day, extra attention should be paid to new residents during their quarantine period to ensure any potential issues are caught and addressed as soon as possible and before quarantine is discontinued.

Incoming Testing

If you have not already done so, work with your veterinarian to determine appropriate incoming testing protocols for new pigs you welcome to your sanctuary. While individuals showing signs of concern may require additional diagnostics, there may be certain tests your veterinarian recommends for all incoming pig residents. At a minimum, all new residents should have a fecal sample submitted to check for internal parasites. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend dewormingThe act of medicating an animal to reduce or eliminate internal parasites, either prophylactically or in response to illness. treatments based on the fecal results. Be sure to submit another fecal sample 10-14 days after any deworming treatment to evaluate its effectiveness. To help prevent the ever-increasing resistance to available deworming medications, we recommend working closely with your veterinarian when making deworming decisions.

Your veterinarian may recommend other testing based on the specifics of your region. Certain disease confirmations may require an official report to your local government – if testing is for screening purposes only, you may want to have a conversation with your veterinarian about what a positive result would mean for the individual and the sanctuary.

Incoming Vaccines For Pigs

It’s important to work with your veterinarian to establish vaccine protocols for your pig residents based on the specifics of your resident population and your region. New residents should be vaccinated accordingly and in consultation with your veterinarian. You can read more about vaccines for pigs here.

Schedule Spay/Neuter Procedures For New Residents

New males should be evaluated to determine if they have already been neutered, though in some cases you may need a veterinarian to help with this if you are unsure if they are intact or not. Be aware that a pig’s scrotum is held closer and tighter to the body than that of a goat or cowWhile  "cow" can be defined to refer exclusively to female cattle, at The Open Sanctuary Project we refer to domesticated cattle of all ages and sexes as "cows.". Rather than hanging down between their back legs, a pig’s scrotum protrudes behind them. To determine if a male is intact or not, you should check the area under their anus for areas of distention. While it will sometimes be quite obvious if an individual is intact or not, this is not always the case (particularly for young individuals and smaller breeds). Intact males should be neutered as soon as your veterinarian deems it appropriate. Waiting until the end of their quarantine period to have them neutered could delay their introduction to other residents, so the sooner you can schedule their neuter, the better. They will need time to recover after the surgery and also can remain fertile for up to 6 weeks after being neutered, during which time they should be kept away from unspayed females. Be aware that cryptorchidism (where one or both testes have not descended into the scrotum) is possible. If an individual who appears to have been neutered is behaving as though they are intact, be sure to discuss the possibility of cryptorchidism with your veterinarian.

Because of the high incidence of reproductive cancer in female pigs, all females should be spayed when your veterinarian deems them healthy and mature enough. Due to the risk of herniation at the incision site, a laparoscopic procedure, which involves smaller incisions, is preferable when possible. You should work with your veterinarian to determine if a female has already been spayed.

You can read more about spaying and neutering pig residents here.

Establishing and following appropriate intake protocols can make a world of difference when it comes to ensuring the health and safety of your residents. If you haven’t already, be sure to consult with your veterinarian regarding the incoming protocols your sanctuary should adopt!

SOURCES:

Pig Care Guide | Farm Sanctuary

Common Health Problems Affecting Mini-Pigs – Part 2 | VCA Animal Hospital

This Little Piggy Had A Well-Balanced Diet: Avoiding Pig Obesity | Texas A&M University Veterinary Medicine And Biomedical Sciences

Reproductive Cycles In Pigs | Animal Reproduction Science (Non-Compassionate Source)

Salt Poisoning (Water Deprivation; Sodium Ion Toxicosis) | Iowa State University (Non-Compassionate Source)

Non-Compassionate Source?
If a source includes the (Non-Compassionate Source) tag, it means that we do not endorse that particular source’s views about animals, even if some of their insights are valuable from a care perspective. See a more detailed explanation here.