EAST PALO ALTO, CA -- Want a pig for Christmas? But you don't get to pig out on it.

An adult female pig was discovered wandering the streets of East Palo Alto is now available for adoption at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. She was picked up at the intersection of Alberni Street and Laurel Avenue on Nov. 8 by the city police department and brought to the Humane Society.

Apparently, "Piggy Smalls" -- as named by staff, isn't the first arrival of its kind this year.

"As an open admission shelter, we accept all kinds of animals, including pigs, although they are not common animals that come through our doors. It is surprising that this is the third pig we've admitted into our shelter this year," Peninsula Humane Society spokeswoman Buffy Martin Tarbox said. "We are committed to finding her a loving home where she will be kept as a pet, not a source of food, just like the other two pigs we received earlier this year." As for this unusual find, Tarbox guessed that maybe a celebrity has a pig, so others follow suit and buy a pig without knowing how to care for it when it grows.

"I guess they assume it will stay small," Tarbox told Patch. "Lola" was quickly adopted last April when her owner had to give her up. "Vivian" came to the shelter last June as a stray picked up like Piggy Smalls in South San Francisco. She's now living high on the hog at a farm in Oakland.

A year ago this month, the phone rang off the hook at the Humane Society because of interest in a goat staying at the shelter.

Piggy Smalls is an adult female, but her age is unknown. No one came forward to claim her, so PHS/SPCA has now placed her up for adoption. She weighs about 45 pounds, and it is possible she will continue to grow, so potential adopters should have ample space for her.



"Piggy Smalls is extremely friendly and will make a wonderful pet for someone who has the space she'll need to thrive and live a happy life," according to Tarbox. "Pigs can live on average 12 to 18 years. Their diet consists of pig pellets, fresh vegetables and alfalfa hay, although Piggy Smalls is very fond of apples." Those who are interested in meeting Piggy Smalls may call first at 650-340-7022. Her adoption fee is $100.

