Families looking to begin the New Year with a meaningful lifestyle change are being urged to consider an unexpected companion, a pet pig.
At the forefront of the movement is Kew Little Pigs, the UK’s leading ethical breeder of miniature pigs, which says demand for responsibly raised pet pigs is rising both at home and abroad as people rethink what makes a truly rewarding animal family member.
Based in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, Kew Little Pigs has built an international reputation for putting welfare, education and long-term commitment ahead of sales, with every pig carefully bred and matched to the right home.
That ethos has taken on new significance following a landmark post-Brexit partnership with Burren Nature Sanctuary, allowing ethically bred pigs to be placed with vetted families around the world while maintaining the highest welfare standards.
The collaboration is the first of its kind since the UK left the EU and ensures that best practice remains consistent from birth through to rehoming, something that is central to the values of Kew Little Pigs’ founder, Olivia Mikhail.
“Our pigs are never ‘sold’, they are placed,” Olivia said. “We put huge emphasis on making sure people are right for the pigs, not the other way around. Ethics are at the heart of everything we do, from how we breed to how we educate and support owners for life.”
That commitment is reflected in Kew Little Pigs’ carefully planned 2026 breeding programme, which prioritises health, temperament and manageable numbers rather than mass production.
Six planned pairings throughout the year are expected to result in around 47 piglets in total, with litters staggered from early spring through to winter. Pairings such as Blossom with Jimmy and Willow with Jimmy are expected to welcome piglets in March, while summer and autumn will see further litters from Venus and Popcorn, Astrid and Samson, Jilly and Jimmy, and finally Bambi and Pluto towards the end of the year.
Each litter is planned months in advance, with homes often reserved long before piglets are born, ensuring there is no pressure to place animals quickly or in unsuitable circumstances.
Beyond breeding, Kew Little Pigs has also transformed how children and families understand pigs through its pioneering Pigs for Schools scheme. More than 100,000 schoolchildren have already had hands-on interactions with pigs, learning empathy, teamwork and responsibility. In some schools, pupils have even formed pig clubs, sharing daily care and building confidence while challenging long-held stereotypes about farm animals.
“Pigs are so much more than a Sunday roast,” Olivia added. “They are incredibly intelligent, more intelligent than dogs, and deeply social. Once people spend time with them, it completely changes how they see them.”
As 2026 begins, Kew Little Pigs says its focus remains firmly on quality over quantity, fewer pigs, better-informed owners and a continued push to show that, in the right home, a pig can be a loving and life-affirming friend.
“I joined the team in September of 2021 as a Farm Hand. This was my first proper job and the experience was very insightful as working with animals there is never a dull moment. I have always loved animals and have had many different animals growing up such as guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs and horses so I knew the animal industry was a career I would like to be involved in. Since joining Kew Little Pigs Farm I have had the opportunity to care for the animals and share my knowledge with all the customers that have visited the farm. I was promoted to Head Farm Hand in January 2023.
I look forward to my journey here at Kew Little Pigs Farm and hope to see you on the farm soon!”
