Pig Adoption Policies

To be considered for adoption, an applicant must:

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Own the home and property where the pig will live.
• Live within the 48 contiguous United States.
• Have the agreement of every adult living in the household.
• Be legally permitted to keep pigs at the property.
• Complete the adoption application truthfully and provide any requested supporting information.
• Agree to a home check and property review.

Renters are not eligible under Cotton Branch's current adoption policy, even when a landlord has given permission.

Pot-bellied and miniature pigs commonly live for 15 to 20 years. Adopters must be prepared to provide consistent care throughout changes in housing, employment, relationships, finances, family structure, health, and daily schedules.

A pig must not be surrendered, abandoned, sold, traded, given away, or transferred to another person, rescue, farm, or facility without first contacting Cotton Branch Refuge Project.

If an adopter becomes unable to care for the pig, Cotton Branch must be contacted immediately so appropriate next steps can be discussed. Contacting Cotton Branch does not guarantee immediate intake or transportation.

Cotton Branch does not place pigs in homes that breed animals, intentionally permit animals to reproduce, or sell animals or their offspring.

An adopted pig may never be used for breeding. Adopters must follow Cotton Branch's spay or neuter requirements and any related veterinary instructions.

Every adopted pig must have safe, clean, and appropriate housing.

Pigs living primarily indoors must still receive regular access to a secure outdoor area where they can exercise, root, graze, explore, and perform natural behaviors.

Pigs living outdoors must have:

• Secure fencing and gates.
• Dry, weather-resistant shelter.
• Clean bedding and a comfortable sleeping area.
• Reliable shade throughout the day.
• Continuous access to clean drinking water.
• Safe footing and adequate drainage.
• Protection from extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, and severe weather.
• A pig-safe cooling method, such as a wallow or pool, during warm weather.

Indoor areas must be appropriately pig-proofed. Adopters should be prepared for rooting, digging, rearranging bedding, opening cabinets, moving objects, and other normal pig behaviors.

Normal pig behavior must never be treated as a reason for punishment, neglect, abandonment, or rehoming.

The property must provide enough secure and usable space for the pig's size, activity level, and care needs.

Fencing must be appropriate for pigs and maintained in good condition. Temporary, damaged, decorative, or easily displaced fencing may not be accepted as the primary containment method.

Gates must close securely. The property must be checked regularly for weak areas, digging, erosion, sharp objects, poisonous plants, exposed wires, unsafe structures, and other hazards.

Cotton Branch may request current photographs or video of the property, fencing, gates, shelter, sleeping area, feeding area, and outdoor space.

Pigs and dogs can seriously injure one another, even when they have previously appeared friendly.

Whenever a pig is around a dog or an animal of another species, a responsible adult must directly supervise the interaction. The animals must be physically and securely separated whenever a responsible adult is not present.

A baby gate, verbal command, crate that can be opened or damaged, or assumption that the animals “get along” is not a substitute for secure separation.

Adopters must be willing to maintain this separation for the pig's entire life.

Pigs are highly social animals and often benefit from living with a compatible pig companion. Cotton Branch may recommend or require the adoption of a bonded pair when separating the pigs would not be in their best interest.

Applicants must not separate a bonded pair without written approval from Cotton Branch.

The final placement recommendation will be based on the personalities, relationships, health, safety, and individual needs of the pigs involved.

Before adoption, applicants must identify a veterinary provider willing and able to treat pot-bellied or miniature pigs.

Adopters are responsible for providing appropriate veterinary care, including:

• Routine wellness examinations.
• Vaccinations recommended by the veterinarian.
• Parasite prevention and treatment.
• Hoof and tusk care when needed.
• Spaying or neutering.
• Dental care when appropriate.
• Treatment for illness, injury, pain, and age-related conditions.
• Emergency veterinary care.
• Safe transportation to veterinary appointments.

Applicants must have a realistic plan for transporting an adult pig. A frightened, injured, or ill adult pig may be difficult to move and may weigh considerably more than expected.

Financial difficulty does not remove the adopter's responsibility to obtain necessary care.

If a licensed veterinarian determines that a pig is experiencing irreversible suffering and reasonable treatment cannot restore an acceptable quality of life, the adopter must be willing to authorize humane euthanasia to prevent continued suffering.

An animal must never be allowed to suffer because euthanasia is emotionally difficult for the adopter.

Adopters must provide nutritionally appropriate pig food, fresh water, carefully managed portions, exercise, enrichment, and opportunities for natural behavior.

Food must never be restricted in an attempt to keep a pig unnaturally small. Chronic overfeeding is also harmful and may contribute to joint, hoof, mobility, and organ problems.

A pig-experienced veterinarian should help evaluate the pig's nutrition, growth, body condition, and healthy weight.

The pig must receive daily care, observation, interaction, and a clean living environment. Applicants must also have a dependable care plan for vacations, emergencies, illness, hospitalization, or any period when the primary caregiver is unavailable.

Applicants are responsible for confirming that pigs are permitted by all applicable:

• City and county ordinances.
• Zoning regulations.
• Homeowners association rules.
• Property restrictions.
• Animal-control requirements.
• Permit or registration requirements.

Referring to a pig as a pet, companion animal, miniature pig, or emotional support animal does not automatically override local laws or property restrictions.

Cotton Branch may independently review zoning, parcel, ownership, and other publicly available property information. Approval may be delayed or denied if legal pig ownership cannot be confirmed.

A home check is required before adoption approval.

The home check may be completed by Cotton Branch or an authorized rescue, sanctuary, veterinary, transportation, or adoption partner. It may include an in-person visit, live video visit, photographs, recorded video, or a combination of these methods.

Applicants must provide accurate access to the areas where the pig will live. Cotton Branch may require safety improvements before an adoption can move forward.

Approval applies to the property and care plan that were reviewed. Applicants must notify Cotton Branch of significant changes before placement, including moving, changing the housing arrangement, replacing fencing, adding dogs, or changing the intended caregiver.

Pickup at Cotton Branch is preferred and does not include a transportation fee.

Delivery by Cotton Branch is not guaranteed. When delivery is available, it must be approved in advance and requires a transportation fee based on distance, scheduling, animal needs, and other travel considerations.

Applicants must have a safe transportation plan and an appropriate vehicle, crate, trailer, or other approved method for bringing the pig home and transporting the pig throughout their life.

Cotton Branch does not charge an adoption fee.

The adopter remains fully responsible for all costs associated with the pig, including housing, fencing, food, bedding, veterinary care, medications, hoof care, transportation, enrichment, emergency care, and property modifications.

The absence of an adoption fee should not be interpreted as an indication that caring for a pig is inexpensive.

Cotton Branch may:

• Verify information provided in an application.
• Contact veterinarians and references when authorized.
• Review property and zoning information.
• Request additional photographs, video, documents, or explanations.
• Require changes to the proposed housing or care plan.
• Conduct a home check.
• Pause or close an application that is incomplete or cannot be verified.
• Decline an application when the placement is not considered safe or appropriate.
• Determine that a different pig, bonded pair, or placement would be a better match.

Cotton Branch may deny an application when information is false, misleading, incomplete, or inconsistent.

The organization is not required to place a particular pig with an applicant, even when the application has been approved.

Adopters agree to remain in reasonable communication with Cotton Branch and provide updates when requested.

Cotton Branch may contact the adopter to check on the pig's health, housing, adjustment, veterinary care, and general welfare. Concerns involving neglect, unsafe housing, unauthorized transfer, breeding, abandonment, or failure to obtain necessary veterinary care may result in further review and any action permitted by the adoption agreement and applicable law.