REDLAND Animal Shelter have an unusual guest.
The shelter mostly accommodates dogs and cats, but their latest resident is a pig.
The sow was brought into the shelter on Saturday after it wandered into a Thornlands property.
Shelter co-ordinator Michelle Burridge said the man who found the pig claimed it was trying to round up his dog.
“He was quite happy to put the pig in his car and bring it to us,” Ms Burridge said.
If the owner does not come forward the shelter would put the pig up for adoption.
“We have our fingers crossed that her owner will come forward.”
Other animals that have been found and accommodated at the shelter include a canary, sheep, cattle, poultry, rats and guinea pigs.
In total, 1250 animals were received at the shelter in the last financial year.
Ms Burridge said their first priority when pets are found is to reunite them with their owners.
They are put up for adoption once assessed by vets and for behavioural or temperamental concerns.
A change in local laws has allowed Redland residents to have pigs under certain conditions.
One pig can be kept on a property that is at least 4000 square metres, it needs a pen that is at least 25 metres from the nearest dwelling and at least five metres from a boundary fence and pigs must be desexed.
Ms Burridge said pigs also required special attention and owners needed to be able to manage them as they got bigger.
“Pigs might grow up to 100 kilograms, depending on their breed.”
Ms Burridge said they needed many of the same amenities and attention as dogs.
“They also need a lot of water as they can drink up to 15 litres a day when it’s hot.
“They are incredibly intelligent and need to be played with.”
Ms Burridge said pigs required annual vaccinations and regular deworming.
“They are also subject to noise laws so owners need to make sure pigs are not a nuisance to neighbours.”
If the sow becomes available for adoption, she will be advertised on the Redland Animal Shelter’s Facebook page.
