When is National Pig Day? National Pig Day is a holiday that is celebrated annually in the United States every March 1st since 1972. This holiday was created by sisters Ellen Stanley, a teacher from Texas, and Mary Lynne Rave from North Carolina. This holiday is mostly celebrated in the Midwest of the US.
What is National Pig Day All About?
National Pig Day was founded in 1972 by sisters Ellen Stanley and Mary Lynne Rave, who wanted to “accord the pig its rightful, though generally unrecognized, place as one of man’s most intellectual and domesticated animals.”
Activities include visiting farms, attending educational events about pigs at local zoos or animal shelters, donating money or supplies to local pig rescue organizations, and celebrating with pig-related activities.
National Pig Day is also celebrated in some parts of Europe, usually at the end of February or beginning of March. National Pig Day is an important way to recognize the contributions that pigs have made in our lives and to celebrate their unique traits and personalities. By taking part in National Pig Day, you can show your appreciation for these amazing animals.
National Pig Day serves as a reminder of how important it is to care for animals and treat them with respect. As such, National Pig Day also encourages people to learn more about animal welfare issues and take action when necessary.
National Pig Day activities may include volunteering at a farm or sanctuary, participating in fundraisers for pig rescue organizations, or joining campaigns advocating proper animal care practices. National Pig Day is a great time to get involved with pig-related causes and show your support for these amazing animals.
National Pig Day is a perfect opportunity to learn more about animal welfare and take action to ensure that pigs are treated with the respect they deserve. So join in on National Pig Day and help celebrate our porcine friends!
When is National Pig Day This Year?
National Pig Day is observed this year on the 1st of March.
According to Mary Lynne Rave, the sole purpose of this day of the pig is to accord the rightful place of the porcine as man’s most domesticated and intellectual animal.
Other National Days that are celebrated in March are National K9 Veterans Day, National Animal Poison Prevention Week.
Celebrate National Pig Day
The celebration of this holiday usually includes events at the local zoo, at the schools, nursing homes, and in some parts of the United States even at pig sporting events. Some people organize so-called “pig parties” where they make pink pig punch and serve pork delicacies. They also tie pink ribbon pigtails around trees to honor the pig.
Some people may question whether this holiday is to give pigs “a rest day” or to enjoy them more with all they offer. It’s a dilemma.
You can be part of the celebration by reading up some interesting facts about pigs and their history, help a farmer out if you have spare time, or just be part of a pig’s party.
And don’t forget to post on social media with the hashtag #NationalPigDay and #iloveveterinary
Here are Some Interesting Facts About the Domesticated Pig
Pigs are one of the most diverse animals on the planet, with wild and feral populations living not just in virtually every part of the world but also in a wide variety of habitats. Including forests, tundra, deserts, and jungles to name just a few!
So how do they fare in human society? We’re glad you asked.
- Newborn piglets recognize their mom’s voice and run to her. And they can recognize their own names at the age of two weeks.
- Pigs can run up to 11mph.
- Pigs barely have any sweat glands.
- Pigs can squeal as loud as 115 decibels, which is louder than a supersonic airliner.
- Pigs can “talk”. There have been identified around 20 different vocalizations that pig use to communicate.
- Pigs can digest almost anything, including human bones. But not metal.
- Pigs are highly intelligent and social animals. They like to be kept in a group and sleep snuggled nose-to-nose.
- Pigs can swim! There is an island in the Bahamas where pigs live freely and swim in the ocean.
- Pigs are thought to be very intelligent animals. They have been known to play video games with humans, recognize human faces, and even use a joystick!
- All pigs are born with blue eyes. Their color will change to brown or black by the time that they are several weeks old.
- Pigs are omnivores and can eat almost anything. According to one estimate, they can eat up to 300 pounds of food per day.
- When wild pig populations are culled by hunters, the pigs will run towards the nearest human settlement and knock on the door or even enter a building looking for food.
- Pigs are very social animals, and they often live in groups called “pigs of several hundred”, where their identity is known only by other members of the group. Piglets will follow groups that have been socialized together from birth.
- It is illegal to raise pigs as pets in most places. Most states in the U.S prohibit it, for example. For the same reason that it is illegal to own bear cubs as pets, pigs are considered dangerous animals. Wild boar populations also pose a threat to lawns and gardens of homeowners.
In celebration of National Pig Day, why don’t you check out the adventures of Polly the Performing Princess Pig and her brothers, Huckleberry and Finn.
