A LONELY micro-pig found abandoned in a Swansea Valley garden is settling into his new home.

On January 12 the male piglet was found on Wern Road, Ystalyfera.

RSPCA inspector Gemma Cooper said she feared that he may have been one of the first victims of an unwanted Christmas present.

As a temporary measure the micro-pig was looked after by a vet, but he kept trying to break into a sheep pen - it was thought it was because he was lonely.

RSPCA Cymru launched an appeal to find him a suitable long-term home on a smallholding or farm.

Following the successful appeal - scores of kind-hearted people came forward offering the micro-pig a suitable home.

Inspector Cooper said: “We would like to thank everyone who expressed an interested in rehoming the micro-pig. We had 26 offers in total.

“He has now been taken to his new home at Gower Fresh Christmas Trees in Three Crosses and he is settling in well.

“We will be keeping in contact with them to check his progress. We are not sure how micro he is - as he has doubled in size over the past two weeks!”

Katharine Morgan from from Gower Fresh Christmas Trees said: “He is getting the know the other piglets and they are getting quite friendly now.

“He is settling in really well. We are really happy to be able to look after him. We have to think up a name for him now.”

The RSPCA continues to remind people that pigs are not appropriate pets, due to their very specific needs.

For example, all pigs have a strong desire to root, which means they need continual access to suitable areas for rooting, otherwise they can become destructive.

Under the Animal Welfare Act, 2006, pet owners are legally required to meet the needs of their

animals. Due to their complex needs, the RSPCA is concerned about how well micro- and mini-pigs can be cared for by non-specialist keepers.

Before getting any pigs it is important you consider if you have the time, resources, commitment, knowledge and facilities to care for them.

Whether you keep one pig as a pet or a commercial herd you need to follow certain rules regarding the identification of your animal. The Pigs (Records, Identification and Movement) (Wales) Order (PRIMO) legislation changed on November 25, 2011.

For more information visit http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/farm/farmanimals/pigs