Obese Oscar saved from pigging out...
Rescue shelter steps in after family’s plea for help
MEET Oscar the pig whose distraught owners handed him over to an animal shelter after his weight ballooned to more than 200kg.
His morbid obesity presented a huge challenge for My Lovely Pig Rescue which transported him to its Co Kildare sanctuary in a horse box.
Oscar is now happily ensconced in his new home and showing signs of recovery thanks to a strict diet and exercise regime.
Cathy Davey, of MLPR told the Irish Sunday Mirror, said: “When we attempted to collect him a month ago his obesity, lethargy and fat-blindness added up to him becoming incredibly stressed.
“When asked to step onto the ramp of the trailer he just collapsed and literally cried himself out. It was a heartbreaking scene for all.”
But a month later, with his owners’ help, Oscar had shed a few pounds and he was able to make the journey to a new home he shares with 65 other rescue pigs. Cathy said the shelter has taken in more than a few obese pigs, but she stressed the owners should never be blamed.
She added: “Oscar’s owners got him as a piglet but the council wouldn’t allow them to keep him in the house.
“So they hid him in the forest but then were worried kids would torment him.
“A local care home provided a safe enclosure for him, but the problem was they were giving him creamy mash potato and all sorts, and he got fatter and fatter and fatter.” Oscar’s weight skyrocketed and he is now blind as a result of the fat folds around his eyes because he is too old for face lift surgery.
But because his owners reached out for help he’s now getting a second chance at life.
Cathy added: “We’ve had several pigs come in in Oscar’s condition. It hurts your heart. A pig like him should weigh around 150kg but he is over 200kg. He’s now on anti-inflammatories to cool down his joints.
“He is on soft ground, padded ground and he’s on supplements and oils.
“He’s blind but he got so excited about the girls to his left and to his right – part of his problem was that he had no stimulation.
“It’s incredible, he knows where his bed is, he doesn’t knock into things. He’s now doing well and already I’m not concerned about his welfare.”
Cathy hopes Oscar’s “cautionary tale” will dissuade others thinking a “cute little piglet” might make a nice pet.
She said: “Pigs are an attractive idea until the reality kicks in, so we really don’t push adoption. We’re just a sanctuary for them.”
To help fund MLPR’S work visit donate.mylovelyhorserescue.com/ winter-2021-appeal/
When asked to step onto the trailer ramp he collapsed CATHY DAVEY ON OSCAR’S WEIGHT ISSUE