Jaclyn Haggata (vegan) and Pigs in the Wood, Part 2 of 2

Ms. Haggata (vegan) explained that the Wood is more than just a haven for her four-legged friends. It is an outdoor classroom where visitors can spend quality time with individual pig-people and expand their awareness by listening to stories about them. “And when they meet the pigs, and they get to know them, and they see how intelligent they are and how affectionate they are, and these pigs were destined for slaughter, so they’re no different than any other pigs. We do have a range of pigs, all different sizes and breeds, and we continue to rescue. And the aim is to become an educational center and to gain charity status, to enable us to reach out to schools, young children.”

“I always say keep an open mind and learn from the animals themselves.” “The fact that they still trust us after everything we do to them, it’s just incredible, really. Come and learn from the animals and their experience. Dispel some of the myths that you’ve been kind of brainwashed to believe for years and years – all that brainwashing. Come and see for yourself how it really is and how these animals live.”

“The pigs are very fussy, actually. Given choices, they will choose what they like and what they don’t like. They hate sprouts; they hate cabbage; they hate mushrooms. So when you hear about truffle pigs, they’re not after the truffles; they’re after the roots, and they unearth the truffles. You know there’re so many facts and things you can learn about. They dream. They sing to their piglets. That’s not made public, and there’s a reason for that. Because those who are gaining, making money, don’t want you to understand all that, don’t want you to know that these animals are caring, sentient beings. So it really opens your way of thinking when you see them in a different light.”

Pigs in the Wood hosts yearly social events that attract fun-seekers from around the county. For example, in 2023, there will be an eco Easter egg hunt, a weekend musical Pig Gig in August, and two Halloween celebrations – one each for children and adults.