The pigs had been left in a dirty pigsty. Photo: SPCA
The SPCA has recovered 13 pigs left in very poor conditions in a property in the Wellington region.
After a call received from Animal Control on 4 August, the charity found the animals weak, underfed, with old injuries and pressure sores.
The pigs were left contained in a dirty pigsty, living and sleeping between their faeces and urine with the owners nowhere to be found.
SPCA inspectorate team leader Ben Lakomy was the one who found the animals and he said the situation was shocking.
"When I got there two of the pigs were already dead for some time and the ones that survived were in contact with it. It was a distressing situation," Lakomy said.
The SPCA used the help of the not-for-profit organisation HUHA to be able to move the animals to a safer environment, he said.
"When I first attended, I was alone. So, I gave HUHA a call and luckily, they were able to come assist with manpower and a trailer to transport the animals."
The pigs weak, underfed and with old injuries and pressure sores. Photo: SPCA
Once rescued, the pigs have received vet treatment and food and are recovering at a shelter facility in HUHA.
After making a series of enquiries, the SPCA was unable to locate the owners.
Lakomy said in many cases with pigs or chickens, for example, finding ownership was hard as there was no paperwork involved.
"Unfortunately, sometimes it is really hard to find those responsible for the animals we find in these conditions, so we got a Court Order allowing the SPCA to re-home the pigs.
"It's disappointing that we don't have anyone to hold to account in that case, but it does happen from time to time," Lakomy said.
Pigs for adoption
Lakomy said the SPCA has currently 24 pigs in the Wellington and Auckland areas that need a home.
Since rescued, one of the 13 pigs found in the Wellington property gave birth, increasing the number of animals that need to be re-homed.
Due to regional bylaws, pigs need to be kept in rural properties, so those interested in adopting them would have to offer a spacious farming space.
Lakomy said pigs were one of the most difficult animals to find new homes, with some staying with the charity for months while waiting for a family.
Anyone interested in adopting one or more of these pigs can contact the SPCA via their website.