Pigs are complex, intelligent, emotional animals with unique individual personalities. Some of them even love belly rubs! Esther the Wonder Pig has done a lot to change hearts and minds about pigs. You can learn more about the behavior, emotions, and intelligence of pigs here.

In contrast to the happy lives experienced by rescued pigs at sanctuaries, those raised for pork on factory farms experience pain, fear, and the inability to express their true natures.  The contrast between the lives of pigs in nature and in factory farms is heartbreaking. Multiple undercover investigations by Mercy For Animals have revealed horrific animals abuse in the pork industry. Here are a couple of them: Pig Abuse Exposed,  Pig Farm Investigation. 

NutritionFacts.org describes the health hazards of consuming pork, which include cancer, liver failure resulting from hepatitis E, chronic headaches, depression, and adult onset epilepsy. These last three maladies have been associated with pork tapeworms. Conversely, eliminating pork from one's diet can help prevent kidney stones,  gestational diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease.