Here’s a guide to help you decide if pig parenthood is right for you and what to expect if you choose to adopt from Lollypop Farm.

Why Pigs Make Great Pets
Pigs are highly intelligent, emotional, and social animals. They can learn commands, enjoy enrichment activities, and thrive in environments where they are treated with kindness and respect. Many pig owners will tell you their pig is a cherished member of the family — curious, affectionate, and occasionally a bit mischievous!

Pigs form deep bonds with their companions (human or animal) and communicate with a wide range of grunts and squeals. When given appropriate space and care, they are joyful creatures who love to root around outside, nap in the sun, and even enjoy belly rubs.

What You Need to Consider
Before adopting, it’s important to take a realistic look at whether you’re set up for success as a pig parent. Here are some key things to think about:

• Zoning and Space Pigs are farm animals, even if they’re living as pets. That means your property must be zoned for livestock. Most towns require four to five acres and specific types of shelters or enclosures. Be sure to check with your municipality, and know that inspections may be required.

• Pigs Need Pig Companions Pigs are herd animals, and we require adopters to take home at least two—unless you already have a pig in need of a buddy. A solo pig can easily become bored and lonely, which can lead to destructive behavior.

• Size Matters Don’t be misled by terms like “micro” or “teacup” pigs. These misleading labels often result in underfed, malnourished animals with stunted growth. A full-grown pot-bellied pig typically weighs between 80 and 180 pounds, and they don’t reach their full adult size until about 3–5 years old. Proper feeding with species-appropriate grain and hay is essential to avoid health issues.

• Indoor Living Isn’t Ideal While baby pigs may seem like perfect indoor pets, they often struggle in house settings. Pigs are natural foragers and rooters — and when confined indoors, they may turn their attention to your floors, carpets, cupboards, or even your refrigerator. We recommend housing pigs in secure outdoor enclosures with access to a shelter, plenty of space to roam, and enrichment activities to keep them engaged. You will also want to ensure that their space has strong fencing.
  Another option if you were considering an indoor/outdoor pig is if you have a room in your house that opens up to a fenced-in yard, or build a stall in your garage. It is best if the pig has access to go outside often.

• Veterinary Care Not every vet is equipped to care for pigs. You’ll want to ensure there is a large-animal vet in your area who accepts pigs before adopting. Routine care includes vaccinations, hoof and tusk trimming, and spay/neuter surgery (already completed for pigs adopted from us).

• Time and Budget Caring for pigs is a long-term, daily commitment, regardless of the weather conditions. Cleaning shelters, feeding, checking on their health, and providing them with attention are all essential aspects of responsible pig ownership. Check over food and supply costs before you commit to owning a pig. Our farm staff have great cost breakdowns to help you think about things like veterinary care and food needs.

Adopting from Lollypop Farm
If you’ve read this far and are still feeling excited—that’s a great sign! At Lollypop Farm, we’re passionate about helping pigs find loving, knowledgeable homes. All pigs available for adoption are vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and microchipped.

Here’s how the process works:

• • Fill out the Farm Animal Adoption Application: Pigs are farm animals, even if they’re living as pets. That means your property must be zoned for livestock. Most towns require four to five acres and specific types of shelters or enclosures. Be sure to check with your municipality, and know that inspections may be required. Fill out our application here.

  • Schedule a Visit: Meet the pigs in person and ask questions about their personalities, care, and needs.

  • Prepare Your Home: Ensure you have proper zoning, fencing, shelter, and supplies in place.

  • Adoption Fee: The fee is $100 for pot-bellied pigs and $200 for farm pigs.

  • Take Home Your New Friends: : If everything checks out, you’ll be ready to welcome your pigs home!

We know it might sound like a lot — and it is — but in the right environment, pigs are incredibly rewarding companions. Our goal isn’t to talk you out of adoption; it’s to set you (and the pigs) up for long-term success. Too often, pigs are surrendered because their needs were misunderstood. That’s why we’re honest about what pig ownership requires.

If you’re ready to open your heart and home to these curious, clever animals, we’d love to help you find your perfect match.

Have questions or want to meet some adoptable pigs? Contact the Lollypop Farm team at (585) 223-1330 ext. 184 or by email.

The post So You’re Thinking About Adopting A Pig? appeared first on Lollypop Farm.

By early March, Juliet had received all of her medical care and was ready to find a loving home. Given her history of living with so many dogs in a stressful environment, our staff trainers created a plan to help manage her resource guarding. Using clicker training, they introduced her to “look” and “touch” cues.

During her nearly four months at Lollypop Farm, Juliet charmed staff and volunteers alike. She loved snack time, long walks, and plenty of snuggles. Her goofy personality kept everyone laughing, and she was a regular participant in our Doggy Day Out program , enjoying mini-adventures with community members.

Juliet was adopted in April, but sadly, she was returned to our care a few weeks later. In early June, we featured her in our Clear the Kennels adoption promotion, but the weekend passed, and Juliet was still waiting.

Her second chance finally came on June 12, when a new family took her home. Here’s what her new family had to say:

“So glad I found her. She is well-behaved and just wants to be near her new family. She’s a smart dog who figured out her environment quickly. We don’t restrict her in any way, but she just seems to know what to do, almost like she seeks permission before entering a room. I bring her to my office downtown at least once a week, where she greets all my coworkers and spends time with each of them before moving on to the next. They’re always disappointed when I leave her home.”

Juliet is just one of many sweet senior pups at Lollypop Farm who found a loving home thanks to the kindness and support of people like you. Your generosity made her second chance possible.

The post Juliet’s Journey: A Senior Pup Finds Her Second Chance appeared first on Lollypop Farm.

During their visit to Lollypop Farm, the team from GCV&M met several adoptable roosters and ended up falling in love with not just one, but two, Charlie and Phil. Charlie had been found in the city of Rochester and brought to the shelter, while Phil came to us when his previous owner could no longer care for him.

Roosters play an important role in keeping flocks safe. They’re naturally protective and will sound the alarm — or even step in to defend their hens — if a predator is near. At GCV&M, Charlie and Phil were each introduced to their own flock and have been thriving ever since.

“Charlie and Phil are doing great here!” said Rebecca Myers, Manager of Historical Agriculture at GCV&M. “Phil is a bit more nervous than Charlie, but boy, does he love his ladies; you never see Phil without them!”

We’re so grateful for partners like GCV&M, who help give animals like Charlie and Phil a second chance. Learn more about their incredible work at gcv.org.

The post Two Roosters, One Happy Ending: Charlie and Phil find a home at Genesee Country Village & Museum appeared first on Lollypop Farm.

Lenny was one of those cats.

He came to Lollypop Farm as a transfer from a local rescue. Quiet and unsure, Lenny showed signs of having lived much of his life outdoors—his tipped ear a common marker for spayed or neutered community cats. He wasn’t aggressive or angry; he simply preferred to stay tucked away inside his carrier, watching the world from the shadows.

While he remained wary around people, Lenny found comfort in the company of other cats. At the Lollypop Farm Day Lily Cat Adoption Center, larger spaces called colony rooms are designed for cats who are shy or overwhelmed in traditional kennel settings. These spaces allowed Lenny to live with other cats, and that’s where we saw glimmers of the cat he could be. His progress was always tied to his feline companions: when his colony mates were adopted, Lenny would retreat into his shell again.

That is, until Lenny met Gumbo.

One of our adoption counselors, Nicole, had friends who were grieving the loss of their beloved cat, Jasmine. Their remaining cat, Gumbo, was noticeably sad without his longtime companion. When Nicole told them about Lenny, they saw a chance to give Gumbo a new friend and to offer Lenny the home he so deserved.

The match was perfect.

Almost immediately after arriving at his new home, Lenny and Gumbo became fast friends. And just as quickly, Lenny’s shy demeanor melted away. The once-reserved Spirit Cat transformed into a playful, affectionate housecat. Today, Lenny spends his time wrestling with Gumbo, snoozing in bed with his people, and scaling his cat tree with confidence. Lenny found a perfect home with his new family.

Lenny’s story is a reminder that some cats just need a little extra time, extra love, and sometimes, another cat to show them the way.

The post From Timid to Treasured: Lenny’s Journey from Spirit Cat to Beloved Companion appeared first on Lollypop Farm.

Rochester Animal Services and the Humane Law Enforcement team at Lollypop Farm quickly joined forces to rescue the pup and get him the care he needed. Given the circumstances of his abandonment, Humane Law Enforcement began a full investigation into his case. He was named Oscar—a nod to where he was found—but unlike his namesake from Sesame Street, Oscar was no grouch. He was nothing but sweetness.

Oscar was brought to Lollypop Farm and was evaluated by staff at the Klingenstein Veterinary Clinic. He was underweight, tangled in mats, and had clearly been through a lot—but his tail never stopped wagging. It didn’t take long for the staff to fall for his lovable personality. Once he was groomed and given a clean bill of health, Oscar was ready for the fresh start he deserved.

In just a few short weeks, Oscar’s story turned from one of neglect to one of second chances.
Unfortunately, not all stories end this way. But thanks to the tireless efforts of Lollypop Farm’s Humane Law Enforcement team, many animals like Oscar get the chance to heal and find happiness.

Lollypop Farm’s Humane Law Enforcement officers are certified peace officers in New York State. They investigate and enforce animal cruelty laws in Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, and Orleans counties. These cases can be difficult—gathering evidence takes time, and community support is often critical to ensuring animals are protected.

In Oscar’s case, investigators canvassed the neighborhood, asked questions, and searched for answers. But after weeks of investigation, his former owner was not identified.

While it’s tough when a case remains unsolved, what matters most is that animals like Oscar go on to live better lives. Today, Oscar is living proof of the second chances that are possible, thanks to the compassion of a stranger and the dedication of the Humane Law Enforcement team at Lollypop Farm.

Oscar is now living his best life with his new family. His owners say that he is doing great at home. “We couldn’t love him more,” states Oscar’s dad, Steve. “He loves taking long walks with his dad to sniff all the sniffs before curling up on the sofa to snuggle with Mom.” Oscar’s family states that he has a lot of adorable quirks as well, like pulling his toys out into a neat pile, taking four specific toys into bed each night, and preferring to have small, gentlemanly bites of treats! When speaking of the team at Lollypop Farm, Steve recounts, “Everyone was so nice and patient and answered any questions we had. We were very impressed that the behavior specialist, the vet, and everyone who had been working with Oscar stopped in while we were meeting with him to answer any questions we might have. They gave us all the time in the world to sit with him and make sure it was a good fit. The process was very easy, and we felt very comfortable with everything when we left to start Oscar’s big adventure. He is a good guy, and we are so very grateful to the officers and everyone at Lollypop Farm who rescued our baby. He is so very loved, and he is loving life.”

If you witness an animal being abused or neglected, call our Humane Law Enforcement Hotline at 585-223-6500.

The post From Dumpster to Dream Home: The Story of Oscar appeared first on Lollypop Farm.