A special Christmas message:
Mini pigs should NOT be given as Christmas gifts!!!!
There are HUNDREDS, actually thousands, of unwanted pigs looking for the right family to adopt them now. For several months after Christmas, once the novelty wears off and the work begins, we are bombarded with rehoming requests for pigs purchased as Christmas gifts. Please don't be "one of those people".....if you are seriously considering adding a mini pig to your family AND you are prepared, educated, have a vet that will see pigs, we can help you find a pig that is just as good as one you'd pay a lot of money for. Please check out pig rescues and reach out to rehoming networks to see if there are any available pigs before spending a lot of money to get the same pig you could get for little to no money. Seriously, we go through this every. single. year.
So, this is the time of year where people think it's a good idea to give others an animal for the holidays. It's often done as a "surprise" and the recipient may be totally unprepared for the responsibility and commitment of being a pet parent. If it's not already too late, and the thought has crossed YOUR mind to gift someone with a pig and the 15-20 year commitment that comes with it, please consider these points, in no particular order.
• Have you or they TOTALLY done the research and know just what this entails? And "research" does NOT mean talking to breeders. Their job is to sell. 90% of pigs sold are dumped within the first 24 months...often multiple times! Has there been a SERIOUS discussion with experienced pig parents (5 years having a pig in their family or more) or sanctuaries who have no reason to mislead?
• Is it understood that THERE ARE NO MICRO PIGS??? NO TEACUP PIGS?? NO PIGS THAT STAY 35 POUNDS??? NONE, ZERO.
• Is the pig ALREADY spayed or neutered? This is CRITICAL.
• Is the pig being gifted at or after 8 weeks and properly weaned and eating well? Is there PROOF of age, such as dated photos and documentation? If a breeder is attempting to sell a "bottle baby" for ANY reason, run. Bottle babies are difficult to manage and care for and getting a pig at this age does NOT create a "better bond" or anything like that. As a matter of fact, bottle fed pigs tend to have MORE behavioral issues as they grow older and bigger.
• Has it been vetted and come with a written health guarantee? No mange, no heart murmur, no hidden issues or birth defects?
• Is the breeder willing to take it back AT ANY TIME if the need arises? Hmmm...what if you had it flown in? What then?? Will the breeder pay to have that, now 100 pound pig, flown back to them?
• Does the person have the means to care for this pig, financially and time-wise? Pigs are considered "exotics" and care may be costly. As social animals, they require a LOT of time, as the humans become their family. In nature they live in family GROUPS, not as singles.
• Does the person rent or own the home? What happens when the lease is up, the landlord discovers the "secret" pig or there's a job change and relocating is necessary?
• Is the property ZONED for "livestock"? Is that in writing from the zoning board? Is there an existing ordinance that allows "mini pigs" to reside within city limits? While we do not consider our companion pigs to be livestock, most govermental agencies do.
• Does the recipient like to travel? Because if so, those days are OVER...no more spontaneous weekend getaways, no more week long vacations...pig sitters are hard to find and pigs don't do well in dog boarding kennels.
• Is there a securely fenced yard that will allow this animal the freedom to "do his/her own thing" without being tied or on a leash?
• Pigs root. Is that going to be a problem??? If a nose ring is your answer, it IS a problem and a pig is not for you.
• Does the "recipient" have a knowledgeable veterinarian that can provide the necessary medical care for a pet pig?
• Does this person have the means to transport their sick pig when it weighs 150 pounds? It's gonna happen regardless of what you may have been told.
• Is the recipient a young person who will soon be heading off to college, a job, a place of his/her own? If so, is the pet going to be abandoned when the parents become responsible for the care...just when THEY think they'd like to travel and enjoy the freedoms an empty nest brings?
• Is the pig going to be crated/banished/exiled when it becomes bored and starts to exhibit destructive behaviors like chewing walls, ripping up carpeting and linoleum flooring, tearing down curtains to make a bed...? What about removing cupboard doors to access food? Will that be an issue??
• What will happen when at about 18 months the pig starts to come into his/her own and wants to vie to the "top hog" position? Way too many are dumped then because owners cannot understand "why" their pig has "suddenly become aggressive". It didn't happen suddenly. It happened in tiny increments because the humans were oblivious to the signs and failed to correct the behavior when it first started. (Behavior can be corrected at any age, but most people become frustrated and no longer want a pig if/when behavioral issues appear)
• What will become of the pig when the already overflowing sanctuaries are unable to take it in because it's one of the 90% or more that are dumped? Let's be perfectly clear. There is NO ROOM. Sanctuaries are overwhelmed. Will this once loved little guy end up on Craigslist, be offered "free to a good home" but actually go for slaughter, be used as dog bait, be dumped to fend for himself? What's the plan??
• And speaking of dogs...does the recipient have a dog and understand that on a regular basis pigs are maimed or killed by the dog who the family insisted "loved" it? Or by the stray dog because a SECURELY fenced yard was not provided?
• Is it understood that a small chain link dog kennel (say 10 x 10) is NOT large enough for an intelligent, social being who would naturally spend much of the day rooting, foraging and exploring?
All of the above comes from voices with years, even DECADES, of experience in rescuing. We cannot continue to mop up after irresponsible buyers and the greeders who joyfully sell to them. While those greeders are celebrating every sale and putting money in the bank, sanctuaries are supporting THOUSANDS of unwanted formerly "loved" pets. Many of us are private and don't solicit funding. Our money goes OUT the door. It is critical that anyone considering gifting a piglet honestly and thoughtfully consider the LONG TERM consequences for that cute little being who in almost no time will very likely outgrow his welcome and cuteness and become an unwanted burden. Don't be one of those people who contribute to this vicious cycle. Be responsible. Educate, don't manipulate.
• Have you or they TOTALLY done the research and know just what this entails? And "research" does NOT mean talking to breeders. Their job is to sell. 90% of pigs sold are dumped within the first 24 months...often multiple times! Has there been a SERIOUS discussion with experienced pig parents (5 years having a pig in their family or more) or sanctuaries who have no reason to mislead?
• Is it understood that THERE ARE NO MICRO PIGS??? NO TEACUP PIGS?? NO PIGS THAT STAY 35 POUNDS??? NONE, ZERO.
• Is the pig ALREADY spayed or neutered? This is CRITICAL.
• Is the pig being gifted at or after 8 weeks and properly weaned and eating well? Is there PROOF of age, such as dated photos and documentation? If a breeder is attempting to sell a "bottle baby" for ANY reason, run. Bottle babies are difficult to manage and care for and getting a pig at this age does NOT create a "better bond" or anything like that. As a matter of fact, bottle fed pigs tend to have MORE behavioral issues as they grow older and bigger.
• Has it been vetted and come with a written health guarantee? No mange, no heart murmur, no hidden issues or birth defects?
• Is the breeder willing to take it back AT ANY TIME if the need arises? Hmmm...what if you had it flown in? What then?? Will the breeder pay to have that, now 100 pound pig, flown back to them?
• Does the person have the means to care for this pig, financially and time-wise? Pigs are considered "exotics" and care may be costly. As social animals, they require a LOT of time, as the humans become their family. In nature they live in family GROUPS, not as singles.
• Does the person rent or own the home? What happens when the lease is up, the landlord discovers the "secret" pig or there's a job change and relocating is necessary?
• Is the property ZONED for "livestock"? Is that in writing from the zoning board? Is there an existing ordinance that allows "mini pigs" to reside within city limits? While we do not consider our companion pigs to be livestock, most govermental agencies do.
• Does the recipient like to travel? Because if so, those days are OVER...no more spontaneous weekend getaways, no more week long vacations...pig sitters are hard to find and pigs don't do well in dog boarding kennels.
• Is there a securely fenced yard that will allow this animal the freedom to "do his/her own thing" without being tied or on a leash?
• Pigs root. Is that going to be a problem??? If a nose ring is your answer, it IS a problem and a pig is not for you.
• Does the "recipient" have a knowledgeable veterinarian that can provide the necessary medical care for a pet pig?
• Does this person have the means to transport their sick pig when it weighs 150 pounds? It's gonna happen regardless of what you may have been told.
• Is the recipient a young person who will soon be heading off to college, a job, a place of his/her own? If so, is the pet going to be abandoned when the parents become responsible for the care...just when THEY think they'd like to travel and enjoy the freedoms an empty nest brings?
• Is the pig going to be crated/banished/exiled when it becomes bored and starts to exhibit destructive behaviors like chewing walls, ripping up carpeting and linoleum flooring, tearing down curtains to make a bed...? What about removing cupboard doors to access food? Will that be an issue??
• What will happen when at about 18 months the pig starts to come into his/her own and wants to vie to the "top hog" position? Way too many are dumped then because owners cannot understand "why" their pig has "suddenly become aggressive". It didn't happen suddenly. It happened in tiny increments because the humans were oblivious to the signs and failed to correct the behavior when it first started. (Behavior can be corrected at any age, but most people become frustrated and no longer want a pig if/when behavioral issues appear)
• What will become of the pig when the already overflowing sanctuaries are unable to take it in because it's one of the 90% or more that are dumped? Let's be perfectly clear. There is NO ROOM. Sanctuaries are overwhelmed. Will this once loved little guy end up on Craigslist, be offered "free to a good home" but actually go for slaughter, be used as dog bait, be dumped to fend for himself? What's the plan??
• And speaking of dogs...does the recipient have a dog and understand that on a regular basis pigs are maimed or killed by the dog who the family insisted "loved" it? Or by the stray dog because a SECURELY fenced yard was not provided?
• Is it understood that a small chain link dog kennel (say 10 x 10) is NOT large enough for an intelligent, social being who would naturally spend much of the day rooting, foraging and exploring?
All of the above comes from voices with years, even DECADES, of experience in rescuing. We cannot continue to mop up after irresponsible buyers and the greeders who joyfully sell to them. While those greeders are celebrating every sale and putting money in the bank, sanctuaries are supporting THOUSANDS of unwanted formerly "loved" pets. Many of us are private and don't solicit funding. Our money goes OUT the door. It is critical that anyone considering gifting a piglet honestly and thoughtfully consider the LONG TERM consequences for that cute little being who in almost no time will very likely outgrow his welcome and cuteness and become an unwanted burden. Don't be one of those people who contribute to this vicious cycle. Be responsible. Educate, don't manipulate.
Below is one of my favorite videos of all time. It's similar to what it's like to have a pet pig and know nothing about them or how to take care of them. I thought I knew more than I actually did. Even when you "research" pigs and make the decision to add one to your family, no matter how "prepared" you think you are...YOU'RE NOT PREPARED ENOUGH. Essentially, something will happen that you're not expecting, perhaps a potty accident, a broken cabinet door, or even a fencing issue you didn't know you had will surface as your pig is settling in. I cannot think of one single person that has literally never had any kind of challenge with their pig, whether it was the first one or fifth one, at some point, all of us have been surprised by something our pig has done, gotten into, gotten out of, the way they were acting, etc.