A small black pig who arrived as a stray at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA in Burlingame is looking for an adopter willing to handle a pet that will eventually weigh at least 100 pounds.
Peter Porker, described by shelter staff as healthy, social and friendly, became available for adoption, after clearing his health evaluation at the Lantos Center for Compassion on Rollins Road.
"And just so you know, Peter Porker will grow to be at least 100 pounds, so make sure you are ready for this guy," Colleen Crowley, communications manager for the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, told Patch.
What Peter Porker needs
Shelter staff say the young pig requires a home with a yard where he can dig, run and play. He also needs plenty of shade and a muddy area to cool off. Pigs rely on mud to regulate body temperature, protect their skin from sunburn and keep insects at bay, according to the shelter.
His diet includes fresh greens, hay and commercial pig food. Fruit is offered as an occasional treat.
The zoning question
The shelter encourages prospective adopters to confirm that local zoning rules allow pet pigs before applying. That's a real consideration for Burlingame and Hillsborough residents.
Burlingame's Municipal Code (Chapter 9.08) permits keeping fowl and rabbits under specific conditions but does not list pigs among allowed animals. The code's Section 9.08.050 prohibits horses, mules, cows, sheep, goats and "exotic animals." Pigs are not explicitly named in either the permitted or prohibited categories, so anyone interested should check directly with the city.
Hillsborough's Municipal Code limits residents to five dogs, allows horses on lots of two acres or more, and permits fowl by permit only. Pigs are not addressed. Prospective adopters in Hillsborough should contact the town's city manager's office for clarification.
Not the shelter's first pig
Peter Porker is not the first pig to pass through the Burlingame shelter. PHS/SPCA's news archive lists Professor Truffles in July 2023, Elvis the pig in March 2021, and stray pigs from East Palo Alto and South San Francisco in 2018.
How to adopt
Interested residents can visit Peter Porker at the Tom and Annette Lantos Center for Compassion, 1450 Rollins Road, Burlingame. Drop-in adoption hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Applications are also accepted online at phs-spca.org, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 650-340-7022.
Availability may change; check phs-spca.org for current listings.
