THE County Gazette's story of a pig saved from the abattoir has inspired a vegan charity to pressure schools to stop housing animals and sending them to slaughter.

Instead, Viva! wants schools to focus on farming vegetables.

Viva! started a petition following our exclusive on Boris the Pig, which had been lined up to be sent to the abattoir after living at Kingsmead School, in Wiveliscombe, for a year.

Vegan activist Paul Youd ran a campaign and rallied 10 animal lovers who raised £500 to rescue Boris, which was taken in by local couple Rhi and Matt Swain ahead of being transported to Millington’s Magical Barn sanctuary.

A Viva! spokesperson said other animals such as pigs, sheep, cows and chickens farmed in schools to teach pupils where meat comes from won't have such a happy ending.

They said: "While there may be health and mental wellbeing benefits to keeping animals in a school environment, fostering a relationship only to send the animal to slaughter is barbaric and the emotional impact on children can be devastating."

They added: "Teaching children where meat comes from by having a few chickens or pigs at the school, being treated well and living comfortably is in stark contrast to the harsh reality."

Viva! is petitioning on the Secretary of State for Education, Kit Malthouse, to instigate a ban on schools housing farmed animals.

The charity's founder and international director, Juliet Gellatley, said: “Schools need to be at the forefront of protecting children’s futures. Encouraging meat consumption is doing the opposite.

"The factory farming of billions of animals worldwide is destroying the environment, killing wildlife and producing huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions that are driving global warming.

"Three in four new and emerging diseases come from animals and factory farms pose a pandemic risk. The suffering of sentient beings should not be encouraged, in schools or anywhere.”

Rhi Swain, who helped rehouse Boris, said: “In June we took Boris in and immediately fell in love. He’s basically a big puppy.

"He’s so playful and intelligent. He knows his name and when we arrive home his ears prick up. He’s there waiting for us.

"Our family are sad to see him leave, but we’re happy knowing he’s going to a sanctuary where he can thrive with other pigs. I’m thrilled to see Viva! taking action to prevent pigs being farmed at schools. All animals deserve the right to enjoy life like Boris.”

READ MORE: Boris the Pig saved from the abattoir.