Theodore, the 800-pound pig who was found roaming the Fraser Highway in 黑马磁力 last summer, is travelling to his forever home today (Friday, Jan. 25) after waiting almost half a year for a suitable owner.
After being in the care of the 黑马磁力 Animal Protection Society (LAPS) since August, Theo was loaded onto a three-horse travel trailer and sent off to his new home at in Duncan on Vancouver Island.
Getting Theo onto the trailer wasn鈥檛 an easy feat according to LAPS animal control officer Tina Jensen Fogt, who said the process took about two hours.
鈥淚t took us awhile. He [Theo] certainly wasn鈥檛 interested in cooperating right away. He saw the fence panels come out and he was like 鈥業鈥檓 onto you guys, I鈥檓 not doing this.鈥欌�� said Jensen Fogt.
But with enough coaxing, and a lot of donuts and cookies, Theo headed off to begin a new life on the Island.
鈥淗e was five steps ahead of us the whole time. He鈥檚 not a big fan of travel, and he鈥檚 a little stressed,鈥� added Jensen Fogt.
鈥淚鈥檓 so excited for him. I鈥檓 also excited to get five to ten hours of my week back to focus on other responsibilities.鈥�
Jensen Fogt accompanied Theo to his new home, and added that BC Ferries covered the cost of the trailer and passenger fees bothways.
Theo鈥檚 new home at A Home for Hooves is run by Michelle Singleton, and the sanctuary is filled with pot-belly pigs, sheep, goats, ducks, and chickens.
More recently, Singleton adopted a similar-sized Berkshire pig named Lilian to provide Theo with companionship.
After coming into the care of LAPS last summer, the group was able to identify Theo鈥檚 original owner, who chose not to claim him.
Before finding a forever home, Theo lived at a property owned by Jensen Fogt鈥檚 mother, since LAPS didn鈥檛 have the capacity to house such a large animal.
Finding a suitable home for Theo was challenging, so in December, LAPS issued a public call out for potential owners, and received more than 50 offers.
According to Jensen Fogt, A Home for Hooves was chosen based on proximity, experience, and companionship.
Jensen Fogt said she will miss having Theo鈥檚 鈥渜uirky鈥� personality around, as he 鈥渓oves his tummy rubs and a good scratch.鈥�
