A pot-bellied pig named Peggy, and a guinea hog named Al, came into the BC SPCA’s care last summer after they were seized from a property by an animal protection officer and brought to the BC SPCA’s Good Shepherd Barn in Surrey. Their arrival and ongoing care was the perfect opportunity to give BC SPCA summer campers at the Surrey animal centre a unique and amazing experience.
“When Peggy and Al arrived at the barn, Peggy was limping and both pigs had extremely thinning hair, likely due to the mites on their skin and their poor diet,” says Layla Gilhooly, manager of the BC SPCA Surrey animal centre. “They were both underweight.”
A veterinarian confirmed Peggy was pregnant. She gave birth to three piglets, however due to her malnourishment during pregnancy, one of the piglets did not thrive and passed when he was only two days old. The two surviving piglets were ‘mini mes’ of their parents. “One looked exactly like Peggy and the other one looked just like Al,” says Gilhooly.
When it came time to name the piglets, staff reached out to participants in the BC SPCA summer camp program for suggestions. Chip and Dale were soon winning the hearts of everyone who met them.
The campers wound up doing far more than just naming to support the piglets. “Their visits with the pigs played an important role in the pigs’ socialization and got them used to meeting new people,” says Gilhooly. “The campers also contributed to the pigs’ happiness and wellbeing by providing enrichment activities for them. They would change them out so the pigs could learn new things and not get bored.”
Some of the enrichment activities the campers provided for the pigs included treat balls to encourage their rooting behaviour, a tire for them to climb and play on and a mud bath. Mud bathing is a natural behaviour for pigs and helps to keep them cool and provides natural sun block.
“One of the most impactful things campers get to experience at BC SPCA camps is learning the stories of some of the animals who are in our care,” says Gillian Ickert Plett, the BC SPCA’s manager of humane education community programs. “It was incredibly special for our campers to get to know Peggy, Al and their piglets over the summer, and to be able to contribute to their wellbeing during the time they were with us.”
A new home for the pigs
Once they were ready to be adopted all the pigs found forever homes. Al and the piglets live together on a beautiful hobby farm. Peggy stayed a bit longer at the Surrey barn before she was adopted, but she has also found a loving home where she is thriving.
Learn more about BC SPCA summer camps
BC SPCA summer camps offer a fun and educational experience for kids, focusing on pets, farm, and wild animals. Registration for 2025 summer camps begins April 8 at 12:00 p.m. through the registration portal.
Campers can participate in one-day specialty workshops, summer camps, and special events with animal-themed games, crafts, guest speakers, and lots of time spent interacting with animals. A Leadership Camp for 12–14-year-olds interested in a career working with animals is also available. The BC SPCA summer camps welcome children with disabilities.
What is the Good Shepherd Barn?
This special barn at the Surrey SPCA is for farm animals who need extra love and patience. Nearly all the animals here arrive through cruelty investigations. They are usually underweight and under socialized. Staff and volunteers must work just a little bit harder to gain their trust and love.
The farm animal care team also works to find the right home for every animal! The perfect adopters let the animals take the time they need to get used to new homes, new friends, and new experiences. In most cases, being able to socialize with their same species is very important.