A tiny piglet weighing less than a bag of sugar found after he was thrown out with the rubbish is starting a new life after being adopted by a pug.

The 12-week-old porker is believed to have been thrown away by a factory farm as dead but was rescued by animal rights activists in Weilrode, Thuringia state, central Germany.

Now the piglet – named Jonah – is starting a new life at the Heile Seele animal shelter with its new pal Maya the pug pup.

Shelter boss Ann-Christin Pabst, 36, said feeds every three hours and some canine love have pulled the piglet back from the brink.

She said: “He’s already put on more than 300g. He really is a fighter.”

She added that the fact that Maya is paying such careful attention to the piglet was part of the reason he is doing so well.

She said that they were all surprised by the dog’s reaction saying: “Actually, she is usually a little diva, and prefers to be the centre of attention herself.”

The piglet and the dog had bonded from the first second.

The shelter has around 150 animals living on the farm, including a former battery chicken named Lola, who lives in a wheelchair and an almost blind horse that wears ultraviolet safety goggles.

Donations can be made on the organisation’s website page www.fuertieresprechen.de

Pictures were shared by the organisation on their Facebook page with the message: “Put away like a piece of garbage. When this little one was brought to us on Christmas Eve with just 700g, it was unclear if he will make it.

“A week later today, little Jonah has already gained 300g and is keeping everyone on their toes By now we are sure that he will come through and are happy to welcome him into our family. Jonah is still looking for godparents and we are also happy about one-off donations.