Sand Springs Woman Creates 'Hamalot' Haven For Potbellied Pigs

Leg-warmers, big hair and potbellied pigs. Those are three things which were very popular 30 years ago. The first two are pretty much gone, but the potbellied pigs - or at least their descendants - are still with us.

Many of them have landed in pig rescues like Hamalot in Sand Springs.

Tracy McDaniel and her family have operated Hamalot for 11 years. It's a haven for discarded and sometimes delinquent potbellied pigs.

She can name them all.

"OK, Booger's on the end, then there's Abby, this one on the front here is Freckles, there's Little Sister, this one's Mini-me, they call her Ma, this one is Buddy, and that there is Betty," said Tracy McDaniel, potbellied pig rescuer.

"I have placed 250 in homes. There are 26 living here now. The most that have been here is 66," she said.

In fact, in 2004 she and her husband Steve sold their house in town and moved out here to do this. I know what you're thinking - .and so does she - it's her mission.

"They are as smart as a 3-year-old human child," McDaniel said.

She says they can reason and solve problems like how to open doors and cupboards - or the refrigerator. That ability to reason is why most of them are here.

Tracy's granddaughter Gabby likes to help feed the pigs - and they like to eat.

The potbellied pigs are up for adoption.

"They are not the pet for everyone," Tracy said.

No, but every one of 'em needs a home.