ABOUT US

We are a registered charity that rescues unwanted pet pigs and give them a safe and loving home. From little acorns that started 15 years ago with my own pet pigs, cementing my bond, knowledge and passion, a sanctuary has grown for these highly intelligent animals.

We have been rescuing pet pigs since March 2016 and have grown rapidly both as a respected rescue centre and a learning, education and wellbeing centre. www.curlytails-wellbeing.org  We have links with both national and local animal rescue organisations. We also have links with education, learning and additional needs centres. We are so much more than just pigs.

We have grown as an education, learning and wellbeing centre alongside our purpose of rescuing these animals and harmoniously incorporate porcine and human care together whilst maintaining the ethos and mission of the sanctuary.

We offer porcine assisted therapy and learning to humankind in a non-exploitative and non-commercial way growing knowledge, self-worth and empathy for all.

The pigs that come to us may have been mistreated, neglected, abandoned or have lost their homes or aren’t as ‘micro’ as people initially thought or have been led to believe. The only other option for them is usually euthanasia. We take these animals and rehabilitate them socially, emotionally and physically, where needed, rehoming them where possible and if this isn’t an option, they stay with us for the rest of their natural lives in a safe, tranquil and caring environment.

Forming trust bonds and improving social behaviours is a very important part of the sanctuary and by incorporating visits and tours, the animals grow in their confidence and wellbeing too.

The sanctuary sits in 6 acres of land in the heart of Buckinghamshire and is a peaceful and tranquil environment. It’s been called the Happy Place by many.

We welcome schools, the scout and guide movement, enrichment and confidence building for children and adults with additional needs, the elderly and respite visits, take private tours and visits, unique parties, one-to-one sessions for people with diagnosis of autism, anxiety and other needs. We also take work experience students, graduates, farm college students, DofE placements and larger volunteer groups.

We take learning journeys for teaching purposes that are age appropriate and can be curriculum based. We also offer education and advice so that people can make their own informed choices about these animals.

A micro pig isn’t a breed of pig, it is a class of pig. A micro pig when fully grown can weigh around 25 stone, about 160kg.  A regular fully grown pig can weigh over 40 stone, around 300kg. A micro pig is only micro (which conjurs up images of small or tiny) in terms of size when it is a piglet. It is classed as micro next to a regular pig. 

Please do visit and research before buying a micro pig, they are often mis-sold by people suggesting that they don’t get much bigger than a Labrador. Some don’t, some do, no-one can ever guarantee the size that your micro pig will end up being. It’s in the GENES! Even if your micro pig doesn’t get much bigger than a large dog, please remember, they are 10 times as heavy, 10 times as strong, 10 times as willful and 10 times as mischievous! They make fantastic pets if they are kept in the right environment and have the right care. They are, however, not a dog, cat, guinea pig or rabbit.

Pigs like company and are best in, at least, pairs.  They are highly intelligent, have emotions, feelings, dream and have memories. A pig will mourn the loss of its buddy. They are as intelligent as 3 year old children and are considered to be one of the most intelligent animals on the planet. They can live for up to 20 years, so getting a pig is a big commitment and you need to be prepared for the long haul.