'We Have One Who Paints'—Sanctuary Owner Says Pigs Are Smarter Than Dogs

Intelligent, highly trainable, loyal, playful, all words that are regularly used to describe dogs, otherwise known as man's best friend.

However, ongoing and emerging research has meant that these words are now also used to describe another common animal—pigs.

Studies have shown that pigs can be smarter than dogs, and even rival 3-year-old humans. They're also highly social and form close family bonds, and yet measures to make the pork industry more ethical are slow to be implemented.

"Pigs are much smarter than dogs and cats, they perform at the same level as human toddlers in cognitive tests," Jordan Russo, co-founder of Farm Animal Refuge in Campo, California, told Newsweek. "They are in the top 10 smartest animals and I can tell you from experience they learn quickly. Our first pig resident Rudy learned to sit by watching the dogs, and I share my bedroom with three pigs who potty trained themselves, and we have one (Cashew) that loves to paint."

Russo and co-founder Matthew Lieurance created Farm Animal Refuge in 2016 as a non-profit sanctuary for farm animals intended to encourage people to see animals as more than just food. When they're not working at the sanctuary, the two work in insurance.

In a video on their Instagram, Russo explains that pigs are some of the most intelligent animals in the world, sharing heartwarming footage of their rescue pigs cuddling with them, learning tricks, and even painting.

"Farm animals are just as deserving of love and compassion as companion animals," said Russo. "They are no different. Here at the refuge, we have cows that play ball, goats that come running to their name, and turkeys that sit in your lap and purr.

"Most of us only meet farmed animals at petting zoos and farms where the animals do not feel safe. If you have a rescued dog or cat at home, you may remember it took them a while to let their personality show. When you meet a pig, cow, turkey, chicken, goat or sheep that was raised feeling safe and loved, you might be surprised how similar they are to animals that we would never consider food animals like cats and dogs."

For breeding sows, life is pretty grim within the pork industry globally. They are often artificially inseminated and kept in "gestation crates" for their entire 16-week gestation period, according to Compassion in World Farming, a campaigning and lobbying animal welfare organization.

"A gestation crate is a metal crate or cage, usually with a bare, slatted floor, which is so narrow that the sow cannot turn around and can only stand up and lie down with difficulty," the organization said on its website.

"Scientific research shows that gestation crates cause physical and psychological suffering to sows, including lameness due to weaker bones and muscles, abrasion injuries, cardiovascular problems, digestive problems, and urinary tract problems," it said. "Feed is often restricted during pregnancy, causing chronic hunger and further increasing the level of frustration."

"I think most people have not had the opportunity to meet farmed animals that are treating with love and respect like cats and dogs," said Russo. "Most of us could never fathom eating a dog, because we personally have met and connected with them. We have built a relationship where we know they are individuals who want to live.

"Farm animals are just as intelligent and loving, that is why we founded farm animal refuge as an opportunity for people to make that same connection with farmed animals. I also think most people are unaware of farming practices when they are at the grocery store. Most do not know that animals are slaughtered as babies. Pigs for example are slaughtered on average 3-6 months old."

In 2018, California voters approved Proposition 12, a ballot measure that proposed new minimum requirements to provide ore space for breeding pigs which would ban the sale of raw pork housed outside of these guidelines. However, the National Pork Producers filed a lawsuit challenging the legislation and despite Proposition 12 being upheld in May 2023, as of June 2023, the legislation is delayed due to proposed modifications to the proposal.

Despite California's 40 million strong population being responsible for 15 percent of the U.S. pork market, the state has almost no pork production, meaning Proposition 12 would require manufactures out of state to dramatically change their practices.

Viewers of Russo's Instagram video certainly love pigs.

"I love pigs so much," one user made clear. "They are incredible beings ...definitely not food...I just love them for what they are," commented another user.

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