This little piggy stayed home: Meet Ginger and Richard, the much-loved pets who enjoy brushes, cuddles and Sunday treats

For most families, Sunday lunch is a highlight of the week. For Ginger and Richard, it is all about the vegetables.

The two little pigs have trotted into the lives of Amy Jackson, 33, and her husband Nigel, joining their sheep, horses and goats at their farm in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

And with their love of being brushed, fussed over by visitors and treated to selected veg from the couple’s roast dinner preparations, they have quickly won a place in Amy’s heart.

Her husband had previously kept pigs and always loved them, while Amy had long wanted some of her own.

Now, she says welcoming Ginger and Richard has been everything she hoped for.

“It’s been the best. They are such friendly, fun pets,” Amy said.

“They love a brush and their favourite day of the week is Sunday when they get parts of the vegetables from our roast dinner!

“They love the cuddles and attention when our friends come to see them too.”

The couple welcomed the pigs from Kew Little Pigs in Old Amersham, where Amy was reassured by the questions staff asked about their future home.

For her, making sure the pigs were going to the right people was a welcome part of the process.

“Kew Little Pigs was great to deal with and asked lots of questions, which we loved,” she said.

“They offer lots of advice if you need it too. Ginger has the most wonderful temperament, so was clearly very loved whilst she lived at Kew Little Pigs.”

With two happy pigs now enjoying life alongside the farm’s other animals, Amy has an enthusiastic message for anyone considering following in her footsteps, provided they can give them the care and commitment they need.

“Do it! If you can offer them the love that they deserve, they are the most wonderful little pets.”

Olivia Mikhail, owner of Kew Little Pigs, said: “Bringing home pet pigs is a big commitment, so we ask plenty of questions to make sure prospective owners have the right space, understand their needs and can give them a loving home. Our pig-keeping course helps people prepare, and we’re always happy to offer advice afterwards.

“It’s wonderful to hear how well Ginger and Richard have settled in with Amy and her husband. Knowing they are enjoying brushes, affection and plenty of attention is exactly what we hope for. Seeing them thriving and becoming such a much-loved part of the family makes us very happy.”

Find out more at www.kewlittlepigs.com