The Nancy
Shepherd’s Corner
Nancy Shepherd has been a pig person
since the mid-1970’s, but potbellied
pigs became her focus in 1989 when she
acquired her first breeding pair,
Jitterbug and Yoda. While this pair has
crossed over, their genetics was strong
in her breeding program and she
produced fine, well-bred pets for 25
years. In 2013, she was forced to stop
breeding because of her inability to find
unrelated breeding stock. It seemed that
breeders no longer felt it was important
to have pure-bred, registered stock. She then, like most
potbellied pig breeders and potbellied pig associations, began
educating, counselling, and providing references and resources to
people desiring important information on the care, training and
management of a pet pig. NorthWest Miniature Pig Association
has learned an abundance of important information from Nancy
Shepherd and wishes to share information from her PotBellied
Pig Parenting Book and her website on a rotating basis.
Each month this page will feature a different article from the
book Potbellied Pig Parenting by Nancy Shepherd as well as from
presentations, lectures, seminars, and other informational
gatherings pertaining to subjects related to potbellied pigs.
Check back each month for a new article. These articles will not
accumulate on this webpage.
For information on ordering the entire book (110 pages of info
and articles), please contact Patty Hill @ E-mail
pattyrocs@msn.com
Posted 5-6-24:
Successful Piggy Adoptions - by Nancy Shepherd
Hi. I thought pig people would enjoy reminiscing with me.
This piece will feature photos with names of each pig.
Most amazing to me is that there are so so many pairs
o’pigs shown as piglets and adults. This is a testament to
the fact that adopting sibling piglets leads to a lasting
bond that these super special porcine pals have with
each other — and with you! Think about how many single
family pig pets are left alone for many hours a day while
owners are at work. Sibling pigs have each other to
interact, cuddle and play with. Creating a “Pig Room”
makes this so easy because you set the space/room up to
meet all their needs. Maybe there is even a piggy flap
allowing them access to an outside pen. Lots of my two-
pig clients have created wonderful environments for
home alone pigs. Please enjoy your time with me down
memory lane. The names are so darn cute. I’m very
blessed to have had such a large number of two-pig
adoptions.
Dulce & Hummer
Hammy & Wilber
Biscuit
Hannah with her Mom
Patsy & Piggy Sue entertaining at a nursing home, pre-adoption
Patsy & Piggy Sue, grown up
Penny & Angel, pre-adoption
Prospective Pig Parents visiting POMH
POMH Little Debbie piglets just hangin’ out
Sigmund & Lucille
Sheila snuggling with her canine pal
Burnie, 1st pig child, with Peni, adopted later.
Not from same litter but loving each other’s company.
Spencer enjoying his human