“We were thrilled to be able to care for Truffles while he waited for his forever home,” says Layla Gilhooly, manager BC SPCA Surrey and Good Shepherd Barn. “He is a total sweetheart with so much kindness and love to share.”
Gilhooly adds Truffles is a fan of naps and snacks. “It isn’t a secret that Truffles is a bit overweight,” she says. “He doesn’t love to eat his veggies, but we were able to get him to start eating more healthy food.”
With all the attention Truffles was getting it wasn’t a surprise that he found a forever home quickly – and what a home it is! Truffles will be spending his remaining years at a sanctuary!
“We actually found Truffles on the BC SPCA’s adoption page before his story blew up in the news and knew we wanted to adopt him,” says Jane Long-Haggerty, founder and president of New Beginnings animal sanctuary. “He is so cute. We got our application in right away and we were soon bringing him home.”
When Truffles first arrived at the sanctuary, he was a little shy. “The goats were the first to greet him when we opened the door to the trailer. They were sweet and tried to encourage him and make him feel comfortable, but it wasn’t until my daughter went in that he was willing to come out and explore,” says Long-Haggerty. “He immediately found a nice cozy spot in the barn with his blanket and had a nap.”
Truffles is slowly being introduced to the other pigs that call the sanctuary home. “Every pig is a little different,” says Long-Haggerty. “Males can be territorial and if they are not accustomed to sharing their food it can be an issue. During feeding time, we keep them separated so they can see and smell each other but can’t physically get to each other.”
But Truffles has already made one animal friend at the sanctuary, and she isn’t who you might expect. “Truffles and one of our chickens named Little Red have become inseparable,” says Long-Haggerty. “It all began when Little Red approached Truffles while he was eating to share some of his food. When Truffles didn’t ‘grunt’ her away, a friendship was born.”
Long-Haggerty adds that Little Red will ride on Truffles back and sleeps with him in the barn. “She won’t go back to the coop. She spends every night with him.”
This 27-acre property will give Truffles lots of room to exercise and help him lose some of that excess weight he is carrying. “We often get pigs that come in overweight at the sanctuary. They need a lot of space and the right diet to keep them at their ideal weight,” says Long-Haggerty. “Truffles is getting lots of fruit and veggies and now that the weather is warming up, he will be more interested in heading out of the barn and into the pasture where he will be able to do all the rooting he wants to,” she says.
She explains rooting is a crucial part of a pig’s behaviour and helps them problem-solve and engage in physical activity. “They use their snouts to find plant roots, insects, and other tasty treats. They also root for comfort.”
“Truffles is just the sweetest,” says Long-Haggerty. “He loves people and a good head and back scratch. We are so happy to be able to give him a home and all the love and care he deserves.”