Local Pig Teaching Community That #kindnessisking; Family Seeking Veterinarian for Specialized Treatment

He’s a gentle giant and a king of kindness. He most definitely gets the kindness part from his human dads.

Hampton Hamilton Pigglesworth, a four-year-old, 900-pound Yorkshire mix pig, lives a pampered life with his devoted Dads on Chapel Drive in North Sewickley Township. This massive yet gentle pet has captured the hearts of many through his social media presence—with over 15,000 followers and friends from all over the world—where videos show him lounging around the house, playing king of his farm’s hill, greeting visitors, and proving that even pigs can make affectionate and loyal companions.

And his dads John Willis and Chuck Burroway simply cannot imagine their lives without him.

“He’s not really just our pet,” said John. “He’s more like our son. Hampton has lived in our house since we saved him, and he has never slept outside or in a cage. He is family to us. He has changed our perspective of animals and their lives and has helped remold our beliefs and our hearts.”

Hampton has had some challenges over the last year with joint pains that at times have left him down for days.

Currently, the dads are on the hunt for a veterinarian who will treat Hammy in their home. The vet needs to be specialized and able to provide gas-based sedation. The dads have struggled over the years to find a vet that wants to provide treatment and not euthanasia.

Most recently, Hampton was scheduled for an injection that his dads hoped would alleviate the irritated joint, however getting treatment for a 900-pound house pig is not quite as simple as you’d think.

They finally were able to get Hampton scheduled for an injection on Friday, October 25, a journey that would take the family to VCA Valley Vet Animal Hospital in Lower Burrell, where Hammy could be treated properly as his injection would require sedation. The family cannot simply jump in the car and head out on the road, Hammy requires special transportation in the form of a trailer, something that John and Chuck don’t have on hand. However, Hammy’s adoring fans never seem to fail the beloved pig, and the dads secured a ride for Hammy.

When it was time to get in the trailer and head out to get his injection, Hammy just didn’t want to go. He had been in that situation before, on a trailer that took him to to Cornell University Animal Hospital in Ithaca, NY, far, far from his home. Hampton made the hours-long journey and found himself visiting New York for much longer than was ever expected—nearly eight weeks when in February 2024 Hampton became “lame” and was down in the house for well over 10 days.

“He just could not get up,” John said. “He went down in the doorway of the kitchen, and I spent the next 10 days sleeping next to him on the floor so that he wouldn’t have to be alone.”

John and Chuck took care of him right there in that spot feeding him, etc. day after day until they realized that they had to do something to get Hammy moving again.

“We have become well connected with the pig rescue community and reached out on social media for help,” John said. “Thirty minutes from when a post was up, I had a gentleman call me from upstate New York. Todd Friedman runs a pig sanctuary called Arthur’s Acres. He volunteered to drive seven hours one way to take Hampton to Cornell University Animal Hospital in Ithaca, NY.”

John said transport was only one part of the process, they had to get Hammy up off the floor and into the trailer, and the dads could not do it alone.

“I made a call to the Ellwood Fire Station, and he said he could give me possibly four volunteers,” John said as tears began to well up in his eyes. “Well, the day came, and boy let me tell you, we had fire trucks, we had police cars, we had a total of about 25 people show up.”

John said it was a true and much appreciated community effort. He said the police blocked traffic for Todd to back his trailer up. Others helped get Hampton up. Others lined the sidewalk to help guide Hampton to the trailer.

Hampton spent 50 days in NY and John visited his “son” weekly. John would spend as much time with Hampton during that time as he could awaiting the day when he could bring Hammy back home.

Finally on April 5, 2024, Hampton returned home with the help of another sanctuary.

Hampton’s story is one of resilience and compassion. Found in a neglected state on a farm in Emlenton on May 31st of 2020, he was on the brink of slaughter when his saviors stepped in.

Chuck said a guy had saved 50 piglets from slaughter, but they were not kept in the best of conditions at the time. He said the other piglets were rooting around Hampton, rough housing him, and kicking corn dust and mud on him. Amazingly, he was the runt of the litter. Chuck took quick action and jumped the fence and went into the pile of piglets to get Hampton.

“He was just hours from death,” Chuck said. “We decided we just had to take him home.”

The two had no idea how to raise a pig, but they were determined to save his life. That day changed their lives forever. John, a tall and slender man, said that Hammy fit on his lap and remained there the entire way home to Sewickley Township.

“He was silent the whole way home,” he said. “He just cuddled up on my lap.”

At first the dads said they weren’t sure what to feed him, so they tried dog food, which Hampton loved, and other foods that weren’t meant for pigs. They said they finally learned from getting acquainted with the pig community the types of foods that Hampton needs like vegetables. Hampton was once 1,200 pounds, but a careful and focused diet has helped the big guy lose nearly 400 pounds.

His journey from a fragile piglet to a beloved family companion showcases that with patience and care, even the most unconventional pets can thrive and form deep bonds. His dads go above and beyond to ensure he lives comfortably, demonstrating their commitment to his well-being.

Hampton receives MagnaWave therapy, and some medications typically prescribed for humans. His dads will stop at nothing to give Hamilton the care he needs and will continue the hunt for a specialized veterinarian who can treat Hammy for his most recent joint pain issue.

Despite his physical challenges, Hammy thrives offering kindness to all who visit him and is an affectionate member of the family, expressing himself through playful grunts and unique “talking.” He is a good brother to Fritz Fitzgerald Pigglesworth, a pot belly pig that the dads also rescued and Romeo the Miniature Pinscher who likes to cuddle with Hammy. Hampton enjoys listening to piano music, rooting around, and still manages to climb the hill on the farm where he truly is the king.

And Hammy’s friends aren’t just of the furry kind.

“The pig community is amazing,” Chuck said. “We couldn’t have done all of this without their support and guidance.”

The dads hope to have many more years ahead with Hammy at the helm. They don’t mind him being in charge and prefer it that way.

They have created some merchandise to help raise funds for Hammy’s care, and they hope to one day author a children’s book featuring their beloved “son.” The pair also dreams of one day owning a sanctuary where pigs have bright, happy, long lives free of slaughter.

Hammy’s story shines a light on how unconventional pets can bring happiness, and how big love can come in large, unexpected packages!