Pet pig left homeless by California’s Eaton Fire reunites with family

RANCHITA, Calif. (NBC, KYMA) - A pet pig, left homeless by California's Eaton Fire, is finally leaving an animal sanctuary to be reunited with her family.

About an hour north of San Diego, at the "Little Bitty Animal Sanctuary" in Ranchita, Peppa the pig lives high on the hog in the care of Ryan and Chris Valverde.

"It's a great feeling," said Ryan Valverde with Little Bitty Animal Sanctuary.

Peppa came to them earlier this year after the Eaton Fire damaged her family's home. Peppa's family had to evacuate and couldn't care for the 200-pound potbelly pig.

Fortunately, the Valverdes were watching reports of the fire spreading through Los Angeles County.

"We kind of get that feeling that there's probably going to be some animals that are going to need a home," Valverde shared.

The Pasadena Humane Society took Peppa in, but couldn't keep up her care, so they called the Little Bitty Animal Sanctuary.

"Whatever we can do to make these folks lives easier," Valverde expressed.

They also took in Panda, a stray pig who no one claimed after the Eaton Fire. She's now a permanent resident in Ranchita.

"She's not as loud as Peppa, but she certainly loves to eat," Valverde spoke.

Rescuing Peppa and Panda is kind of old hat for the Little Bitty Animal Sanctuary as they have more than 100 animals. All of them are rescues.

"Animals that may have, kind of had a rough past or a distressed past," said Valverde. "Give some of these animals a second chance."

Like Peppa's second chance, the Pasadena Humane Society returned to Ranchita Friday to take her home. Her family is ready to take care of her again.

"Her having the opportunity to reunite with her, her owners, I think is just truly special," said Valverde.