SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Miss Piggy, the 250-plus pound Vietnamese pot-bellied pig removed from a house in the Grant Hill neighborhood, is "doing OK" Friday, but is severely overweight and has an underlying arthritis condition.
Nina Thompson, a San Diego Humane Society spokeswoman, said via email Thursday that a veterinarian found Miss Piggy's weight is also affecting her mobility. The sow's overgrown nails were clipped, Thompson noted.
"Miss Piggy has been friendly with our staff so far, eating her pig pellets," Thompson added. "We will continue to monitor her progress."
The animal underwent an exam Wednesday, as the San Diego Humane Society attempts to find her a forever home. Miss Piggy is staying at the SDHS Escondido campus to "decompress" after "being brought into care earlier (Tuesday) by San Diego Humane Society's Humane Law Enforcement and Emergency Response Team," according to an SDHS statement.
Unfortunate circumstances brought the porker to the SDHS.
"Sadly, her owner recently passed away, and a family member reached out for help, as they were unable to care for her," according to the organization.
Due to her hefty size, the Humane Law Enforcement team requested additional support from its Emergency Response colleagues to safely transport her.
The pig was living in the backyard of the house, and "was carefully and compassionately moved into our care," SDHS officials said. Miss Piggy is under "emergency boarding" status while SDHS employees work to determine if anyone related to the original owners would like to take care of her.
"If no family members come forward, we will begin the search for a loving adoptive home where she can live out her days with the care and attention she deserves," the SDHS added.
In related news, Thompson said an emu with injuries to its neck and right wing was safe at the Escondido Campus as of Thursday morning.
"Our Humane Law Enforcement Officers and Emergency Response Team received a call about the bird running loose in Vista (Wednesday) night," she said.
Estimated to be around 3 years old, the bird wandered into a yard on the 600 block of Vale View Drive, according to SDHS.
"To ensure a safe and comfortable recovery, the emu has been placed in a fully enclosed yard where our medical staff is closely monitoring and treating (its) wounds," Thompson said. "The emu will receive medical care by our veterinary team in Escondido while we search for a possible owner."
Shelter staff have temporarily named the emu Claudius.
"As with any stray animal in our care, Claudius will remain on a 72-hour stray hold while we determine next steps," Thompson added.
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