Faith Affleck is the owner of Star's Piggly Wigglys Sanctuary in Peachland.

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An Okanagan pig sanctuary is relocating one last time down the valley to Summerland.

Thirty-four pigs are currently living at Star’s Piggly Wiggly Sanctuary in Peachland, albeit two are in foster care. It was founded in the Joe Rich area of Kelowna where operations took place until last year.

Star is the name of the first pig ever adopted by Faith Affleck. Star unfortunately became sick and died in 2012 at just seven months old.

After that, Affleck didn’t plan on adopting any more pigs, let alone running a sanctuary.

But the early in 2013, the people who bred Star told her that another litter was on the way.

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So she adopted one pig and decided it needed a buddy so she adopted one more.

By that point, Affleck became known as a protector of the piggies. People trying to get rid of their pet pigs started getting referred to her, and then it wasn't long before Piggly Wiggly came to be.

The biggest reason potbelly pigs need to be rescued is because pet owners don’t have enough time to take care of them, she said. Another common reason is because of moving and one recent rescue involved a couple who just had a child.

Some pet owners are told the pigs will remain small and reach a maximum weight of 40 to 50 pounds, but Affleck said that is not accurate.

“Realistically they grow to 150 to 160 pounds,” she said.

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The rate of pigs getting rescued has remained “pretty steady” over the years, and manage to keep sanctuaries in B.C. and Alberta at or near full capacity.

But it's a nice life for the animals at Affleck's sanctuary. Pigs are fed three times a day, kept safe, and given regular attention by Affleck and her volunteers.

Piggly Wiggly’s is also home to rescued roosters, ducks and chickens.

Affleck plans on moving the animals to their “forever home” in Summerland near the end of May. To provide them with a spacious environment, she will be building fencing and is reaching out for donations to help get the new site ready. The project is estimated to cost $10,000 to $15,000.

For more information on the pig sanctuary, visit its website.

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