Unwanted pumpkins? Donate them to pot-bellied pigs

Instead of leaving your Halloween jack-o'-lanterns to rot, how about giving them a second life as a meal for some hungry swine?

The Farm Animal Rescue and Rehoming Movement (FARRM), an animal sanctuary based in Gwynne, near Wetaskiwin, has been gathering unwanted pumpkins to plump up its pot-bellied pigs.

The rotund squash are like candy to these critters. Here they are in 2015, porking out on a meal of pre-owned pumpkins last year.

Pumpkins for Pigs

9 years ago

Duration 1:38

The F.A.R.R.M. sanctuary near Wetaskiwin helps surrendered and abused farm animals. It seems pumpkins provide the perfect portion of produce for potbelly pigs. FARRM's farm animals have enjoyed the spoils of the spooky holiday for a few years.

Each fall, the non-profit has collected hundreds of pumpkins from around Edmonton as a special treat for its animals — pigs and other livestock that have been rescued from across Alberta. 

And although pigs may sound like a strange choice, pumpkins are a healthy snack with plenty of nutrients beneficial to pigs, as long as they don't chow down on too many in a single feeding. 

Since this story was first published, FARRM has collected an "overwhelming" haul of holiday pumpkins and will no longer be accepting any further donations, until next year's annual Halloween drive.