18th March 2014

Arrived very late due to other commitments thinking the sale would be in full swing.... only to find it was nowhere near starting. There were not many pens in today, about 12 of pigs and around 20 rabbits. The first line up were pigs, presumably from the same unknown seller, with plenty of weight on but with skin issues across the board and the older ones had horrific nails. I think they were all boars, I'd suggest they have been kicked out from someone using them for breeding. I bought three of them for Avalon, the others received bids from known good homes. Then came 4 pens of extremely dodgy looking pigs. One was withdrawn due to its condition, the others went to Mr Shiny Shoes and another reliable buyer thankfully. I pestered the auctioneer and they agreed to sell the withdrawn pen to me on the understanding it had ringworm and needed treatment. Sale was agreed and I had a look. She is a white crested sow, a very pretty one. Or rather she would be if she wasn't ripping at her flesh and causing huge sores. It appears to be mites, no signs of ringworm. She is terrified and spends the whole time when picked up squealing in a very high pitch She should have never been accepted in the auction, but well done to the staff for refusing to offer her to the public. If we pester to get these auctions closed down these pigs will never get a chance in life. We need to educate and persecute those who feel it is acceptable to have animals suffering in this way, not close down the outlet. There are a lot of healthy pigs sold each week, they have as much chance of finding good homes as they would if sold on an internet site. Or Pets at home!

I also brought back three others for Avalon, although unfortunately one big boar decided to cause trouble immediately and somehow I was forced to put him back in my boxes and he's here with me
Please look at the picture of the little white sow. She will take more money to get right than she will ever be worth, but she will have everything she needs from now on. If you feel we are doing the right thing by helping her and the others found suffering please consider Donating. 

Just £1 will help enormously if we all chip in. Help us to help them, they don't have many options.

11th March 2014

Not many lots in today, equal amounts of pigs and rabbits. During the auction two lots from one dealer were withdrawn by the auctioneer due to 'illness'. One of these lots was subsequently re-offered, probably rightly so. The other lot was a young rex type boar and he was huddled at the front and covered in fungal. We had already decided to bring him home with us. I bought him after the auction. I do begrudge having to pay for ill pigs that will need medication, but these are the pigs that desperately need help. I've had a skin infection recently. I know how painful and irritating it is. And fungal is so easy to treat. There was another pig covered in fungal, but she was lively and they tried to sell her anyway. I bought her afterwards for the same reasons. £10 for two pigs is probably more than they are worth, but they would not have been treated if they had returned home with the seller.
I bought a cage of young Himalayans. Not because they were unwanted, but because I have a soft spot for them and I didn't like the other bidder! This isn't what the rescue are here to do, this was my heart ruling my head. They can stay here is Shaz prefers, sometimes I make rash judgements and I apologise.
Some of the dealer lots didn't sell, some went for reasonable amounts. All looked healthy enough. There was a run further along of pigs, I bought three out of the four lots, two whiteish boys, two satins and two aby types. All look healthy, the two mainly white boys are very scared but in good condition.

4th March 2014

About 25 lots in today, all sold including those with reserves. There was a bottom cage right in the corner that it was difficult to see in, I got the torch app on my photo into action and found a brown sow and three young grey babies in. I checked it was ok to bid more than usual as I was worried the sow was either in pig again to the sire of these babies, or one of the babies was a boar
She's safe now though. The babies are sows (at a quick glance!!) and about 4 weeks old ish. The mum looks rather tubby, but I couldn't feel another pregnancy from the quick cuddle I had. She and her babies are, as you can understand, rather stressed. I also brought back the past pig sold as interest had waned by then. He's a himalayan rex boy, about 12 weeks old I'd say. Very sweet So only one box was needed, the others just go for the trip these days! There was one piggie that caught my eye but not until after he had been bought as he was buried in straw.... a chocolate coloured long hair that has gone to a good home now and will no doubt get the bath he needed....pooh!