Dog, Potbellied Pig Adopted Together After Owner Abandoned Them Outside Ohio Shelter

Photo: Courtesy TCHS Shelter

A golden retriever and a potbellied pig abandoned outside an Ohio shelter are homeward bound after their viral story inspired a flood of potential new owners.

In the footage, a man can be seen removing the dog from a car and tying it to a post, then going back to retrieve the pig, who is in a crate.

Schoelles said the animals were left alone for about four hours until a county sheriff’s deputy found them sitting outside.

The clip soon went viral, sparking interest from hundreds of potential owners.

Among those applicants were Grace Erb and her mom, Kelli Stark, who own the Maplewood Farm in Louisville, Ohio.

The women told local Fox affiliateWJWthey were immediately drawn to the animals, as their farm is already home to dozens of rescue pets.

“When I first saw the golden retriever, first she kind of pulled at my heartstrings, and I was like, ‘Oh, there’s a pig! We have to get the pig!” Erb told the outlet. “But having a farm we see it a lot. It’s really sad. I just knew we could make a big difference in both of their lives.”

Shelter director Haley Predragovich agreed, tellingWJWshe chose Erb and Stark as the lucky new owners because of their experience with animals.

The mother-daughter duoreportedly met their new additionsTuesday, and took home the dog, now called Annie, right away, as the animal, believed to be between 9 and 10 years old, was in perfect health.

The pig, now named Hermione, will head to her new home Friday after receiving additional veterinary care.

“They will never be separated,” Erb said. “They will live out the rest of their days at our farm.”

The department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

source: people.com