Today is National Pig Day! [View all]

[MoonRiver]

Happy National PigDay! This holiday has been celebrated annually on March 1st since 1972. According to the holiday’s creator, the purpose of NationalPigDay is “to accord the pig its rightful, though generally unrecognized, place as one of man's most intellectual and domesticated animals.” In fact some scientists argue that the pig is the 4th smartest animal in the world and has the intelligence beyond that of a three year old child. This pig pictured was rescued by IFAW from floodwaters in Oakville, Iowa in 2008 and enjoys a new home at FarmSanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY. This lucky piggy may have found a new forever home, but unfortunately, on any given day in the U.S., there are more than 65 million pigs on factoryfarms living in cruel and horrible conditions, and 110 million are killed for food each year. As Sir Paul McCartney once said, “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.” … So if not everyday, at least for today on National Pig Day, consider the horrifying existence that most pigs endure. Show love, respect, and compassion for the pig, and admire the pig for what it is - Not just a processed bacon strip or sausage link on your plate, but a fascinating, intelligent, sentient being of MotherNature.