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Rescued Pigs Rehomed at Bicton College
Abandoned and starving, piglets Ellie and Emma were rescued by the RSPCA. Read about their incredible recovery and new home at Bicton College.
Published:
Content warning
There may be distressing images of animal cruelty and neglect in this story.
Rescue pigs start new life at an agricultural college
We rescued two starving piglets after they were abandoned. Through kindness and care, they made a full recovery and have started their new life with the animal lovers of Bicton College, which specialises in agriculture, located in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Abandoned, hungry and crying for help
Ellie and Emma are two friendly young pigs who were in need of food and care when we rescued them. A kind member of the public called us with concerns about the three-month-old pair, who were found alone on a driveway in Glastonbury.
After dismantling a makeshift pen surrounded by rubbish, RSPCA Inspector Clara Scully and Animal Rescue Officer Alison Sparkes transferred them to a nearby foster home to be cared for and quarantined for twenty days.
Before
Hungry and in obvious distress, Ellie and Emma were left to fend for themselves. They were underweight and had no access to fresh water or shelter.
After
Ellie and Emma are now loved and cared for in their beautiful new home at Bicton College. They share their home with a Kune Kune called Matilda and two Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs, Dylan and Wallace.
When I arrived, I was shocked to see the condition they were in. I could hear them calling and crying out, letting us know they were starving and desperately seeking help.
Nursing the piglets back to health
Severely malnourished, Ellie and Emma were taken straight to an RSPCA farm animal centre, where they were examined by vets and settled in. After a month of expert care, clean bedding and nourishing food, they are transformed.
"It's been wonderful to see their transformation”, says RSPCA Inspector Clara Scully. “As they regained weight their sweet personalities started to come out.”
They were ready for a new home.
In 2025, we received 229 calls from the public who were concerned for the welfare of pigs.*
*Based on reported incidents to the RSPCA between January and December 2025.
The perfect place for Ellie and Emma
Pigs are smart and social animals with many needs, so finding the right home for Elle and Emma was no small task. We put out the word and matched them with Miles Price, Zoo Manager at Bicton College.
Having taken in two pot-bellied pigs from us before, Miles was keen to welcome the piglets to the beautiful grounds.
Since arriving in May 2026, they’ve quickly become favourites among the staff and students.
“Whether it's wallowing, exploring their field, or demanding a scratch behind the ear, Emma and Ellie have made Bicton College a home for life where they will be integrated into the curriculum to educate the next generation of industry experts on the intelligent and complex nature of pigs”, says Miles.
Inspector Clara, who is also a former student of Bicton, was there to see Emma and Ellie take their first steps into their new home.
“These sweet pigs have already had such a trauma in their short lives. Seeing them move into a fantastic new home where they’ll be cared for, and live in beautiful surroundings with woodland to explore, is so great.”
