Tears as Rescue Pigs Get the Zoomies After Feeling Grass for 'First Time'

Pigs raised in pig farms live in terrible conditions, kept inside in barren and overcrowded environments with no opportunity to root or nest. Most of the time, these pigs are kept this way their whole lives, never feeling the sensation of grass under their feet.

This was not the case for two lucky pigs that were recently rescued and set free on a farm in Norway. In the video posted by @cesilieee, the small pigs can be seen doing zoomies around a field and getting muddy.

"These pigs have been standing on concrete floors their entire lives. This is their first time being outside," the text says. "First time touching grass and being in nature. I think they like their new home."

The pigs' new home is in the beautiful area of Møre og Romsdal, in the northernmost part of Western Norway.

Sows that are used for breeding are often kept in very restrictive crates or stalls. "Both stalls and crates restrict the sow's movement so that she is only able to stand up and lie down; she is unable to turn around or walk more than one or two steps," says the website Compassion in World Farming.

Gestation crates have been banned in some U.S. states. Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon and Rhode Island have all changed their practices. "Due to consumer pressure, a number of food companies are phasing them out voluntarily," Compassion in World Farming reports.

"Growing pigs are often kept in barren, crowded conditions on slatted concrete floors without straw for bedding or rooting," the website goes on. "These pigs have no access to the outdoors and will never experience fresh air or daylight. They are unable to behave naturally and are likely to be bored and frustrated. They tend to fight and bite each other, sometimes causing severe injury."

If you want to buy and eat pork more responsibly, Compassion in World Farming suggests buying pork, ham and bacon from Animal Welfare Approved producers. AWA is designated by a seal from A Greener World, a nonprofit.

"If you buy pork, ham, bacon, and sausages from pigs raised indoors, look for pigs raised in deep straw bedded systems," Compassion in World Farming says.

Users on TikTok loved the happy pigs.

"These little animals are what makes being vegetarian worth it for me," commented one user.

"Bless their sweet souls, so glad they were rescued from the cruelty of animal agriculture," wrote another.

Newsweek has reached out to @cesilieee via TikTok for comment.

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