A wayward pig found walking in Lake Jackson in October is having a fun time at his new Fauquier County home three months after being adopted, his owner said.
Catlett resident Janine Van Norman adopted Wilbur the potbelly pig boar from the Prince William County Animal Shelter on Oct. 15 after hearing reports that he needed a new place to live after escaping his previous home days beforehand.
His old owner told animal control that the pig – who Van Norman’s family renamed Norm – had the reputation of being an escape artist.
Norm has enjoyed sleeping in the sun and living outside since being adopted, Van Norman said.
But the Van Normans recently had a scare with their new family member.
Veterinarians found out that Norm had testicular cancer when he was neutered, according to Van Norman.
The cancer was apparently all removed when he was neutered, she said.
Vets are still keeping an eye on a head tilt that they believe could be due to an ear infection or brain lesions, since the condition didn’t clear up after Norm was on antibiotics following him being neutered.
Norm has apparently lived up to his escape artist reputation at his new home.
The Van Normans built an outdoor fenced-in area for Norm after he stayed for a while in a horse stable after his adoption.
“Nearly the minute we released him into his new pen, he started walking the fence line looking for weaknesses [in it],” Van Norman said. “He found them, and yes, he escaped immediately.”
She said the family had to reinforce their fence four times to keep the prickly-haired pig inside.
Norm also has a new friend — a female potbelly pig sow named Dora, who the Van Normans adopted after responding to a Craigslist advertisement.
“They are inseparable now,” Van Norman said of the pigs.
Dora joins 17 chickens, six cats, three llamas, two pygmy goats, two dogs and a turtle who all keep Norm company at the Van Norman farm.
Staff writer David Pierce can be reached at 703-530-3905.
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