The boys—a Yorkshire pig and Hampshire/Duroc cross, respectively—were both raised for production purposes. Jack, found wandering near a Rochester, New York farmers’ market, might have belonged to a vendor there or to a nearby farmer or slaughter facility. Meanwhile, Allan’s former guardians—an Ohio family involved in 4-H—bonded with the pig during their time together and couldn’t bear to see him sold and killed: the typical fate for animals raised in this program.

The pigs met at Lollypop Farm, the Humane Society of Greater Rochester. They’re about the same age—around two years old—and are friendly and rambunctious boys with a bit of an eye for trouble. They’re huge diggers, for one, and came to Farm Sanctuary after damaging the fencing at their former home. They can also be nippy when looking for attention—talk about those “terrible twos!”

Mischievous behaviors aside, these are signs of social and problem-solving skills which likely helped the boys survive.

Pigs are social, sentient, and intelligent. Research confirms that they have strong long-term memories, anticipate future events based on past experiences, show creativity in play, and excel at navigating mazes and performing other spatial tasks. They also have unique personalities, live in complex social communities, experience empathy, and recognize when they have the agency to change their environment.

This can range from digging to alleviate boredom, to finding an escape route from a sticky situation.

“I’ve heard that pigs are smarter than three-year-old children,” shares Animal Care Manager Brooke M., “but this fact didn’t mean very much to me until I had my own child, who is two and already knows so many concepts and language skills. When I could put into context how smart a three-year-old child actually is, it opened my eyes to how smart pigs truly are.”

Caregiver Jesielle H. agrees. “People think you can just give animals basic things like food, water, and shelter and they’ll be okay. But with pigs especially, it’s really clear that they need so much more. They need to be with those they love; they need a variety of treats that they like; they need a space they can explore and that provides new experiences for them. Basically, all the things that humans need to not just live, but to have a good life.”

Without rescue and sanctuary, Jack and Allan would have joined the 124 million pigs slaughtered for meat in the United States each year. There are lives and personalities behind these statistics: Each was an individual with likes and dislikes, desires and fears. No matter how they were raised—whether on factory farms, like Jack, or from handlers like Allan’s striving for humane treatment—they were all killed against their will. And there’s nothing humane about that.

Instead, the boys now live in our main pig herd. Once shy and withdrawn around the older, larger pigs, they are settling in and finding their place. Allan, the more outgoing of the two, has been moving his way up the pig hierarchy—some are now timid around him and let him claim the troughs and sleeping spaces he prefers. Jack is more reserved, but still enjoys the benefits of being a top pig because he’s Allan’s best pal.

They remain the best of friends and do everything together—from sleeping side by side in the barn, to exploring the pasture when the weather is nice. They’re always first in line for food in the morning, and still seek people out for attention and scratches when we’re in the barn.

Sanctuary is a place of hope and healing for these survivors, and for animals still exploited by our modern food system. By sharing the lives and personalities of our rescued residents, we hope that people will begin to see all farmed animals as individuals, not commodities. If you’ve been charmed by smiley, eager Jack or panda-patterned Allan’s bold leadership, it’s heartbreaking to think of what could have been. And by knowing and loving them, it becomes easier to see other animals as unique beings worthy of life and respect—and not as anonymous cuts of meat.

Still need some convincing that pigs are more than “bacon?” Here’s what our caregiving team has learned from sharing their lives with pigs:

“When I first came to Farm Sanctuary, I was honestly pretty scared of pigs because of their size and how excited they get for food,” shares Caregiver Grace G. “Over time, I’ve come to really love pigs as curious, thoughtful individuals with such a wide range of personalities. Some of them, like George and Missy, love people and will drop for a belly rub at the softest touch. Others, like Mia, are wary of people due to past experiences and traumas and will watch you closely with a very diligent eye. Pigs are all very unique individuals with different personalities and interests. As a group, they generally form deep friendships, are very curious, and love to explore and play.”

“Pigs have rich needs and desires,” Brooke adds. “They want comfort, in the way of a muddy bath on a hot day, cuddles in the straw with each other when it’s chilly, and basking in the sunshine. They want stimulation, in the way of exploration and rooting around on the hill. They innately form strong bonds with each other; they make best friends or maybe they choose not to be friends—no different than humans. Despite what they’ve gone through, they open their hearts to those who show compassion. On the other end, it’s clear how much they know fear and can understand and anticipate danger. They fiercely desire to fight for their safety and the safety of their young.”

“Pigs are a force of strength, intelligence, humor, and love,” agrees Caregiver Assistant Isabella P. “They protect their loved ones with ferocity.”

Caregiver Assistant Hannah S. and Caregiver Kathryn C. have each been on the receiving end of this compassion.

“One day I was in the pig barn, really upset, and Betty pig was in the barn building herself a bed,” Hannah shares. “She saw me crying and came over and started putting straw over me, the way pigs do for other pigs, tucking them into bed. It was very sweet.”

“With pigs, you get the sense that they are very aware of what you’re feeling,” Kathryn adds. “We had a pig named Chuck who would often need help getting up and getting to food—so every morning I would help him, and in turn he helped me. There were other pigs in his group who would sometimes cause trouble, and Chuck would put himself between them and me whenever I was cleaning waters or trying to leave the barn. I had a special friendship with Chuck, but all pigs display this type of intelligence and act with clear purpose.”

“There is so much to one single pig,” Brooke concludes. “To know one is to know your family dog. He or she is complex—nuanced. He or she is loving and loves to be loved and wants to live a life without fear.”