Pigs are not "fads" or something to be used just to get attention.

It really bothers me when people buy animals, just because they think its "cool" to have one and are just basically looking for attention and really don't care about the well being of the animal.   Sad to say there are many people like that who will continue to buy from breeders.  This whole mini/micro pig situation is just sad.  Just the fact that Paris Hilton has one should say a lot.  Apparently when she went shopping that week, they didn't have any accessories she liked, so she bought a pig.  

There are many animal lovers who are fooled into thinking that the pigs will stay tiny and then when they grow to be a lot larger than they expected, they end up in Sanctuaries.  I would like to put all the blame on the people who buy these pigs, but I don't think thats the case.  I made the mistake, 12 years ago, of believing the Royal Dandies were tiny pigs.   Until I had pigs, I was never in touch with other pig people so really didn't have any of the information that I do today.  I saw something about them on the web, got excited about it and went ahead and contacted the breeder.   Knowing what I do today, I am really angry with myself for doing that. 

When I buy a new appliance for my home, I research it before I buy, yet I was stupid enough back then not to do that for a living being.   I love my Royal Dandie and it didn't matter how big he grew,  he's 12 now and about 120lbs and I love him as much, if not more, than I did when he was 10lbs.  But it does matter to a lot of people.  Many because they just don't have the space and many because they can't carry around such a large accessory.

I feel badly for the people who genuinely love their pigs but can't keep them.  I have no sympathy whatsoever for those who see them as an accessory or a way to get attention. 

Thankfully, today there are way more resources out there for people to get information.  Back when I bought my Royal Dandie, doing a search basically only showed up pigs for sale.  However, I'm not using that as an excuse for supporting a breeder who lied.  I should have taken more time and contacted other pig people and got the entire story.   I really hope that with all the resources out there today, people will take the time to learn as much as they can.

Teacup Pigs? NOT!!

Anyone interested in adopting or purchasing a pet pig should first know that there is no such thing as a micro-pig or teacup pig.  THERE IS NO SUCH THING! 

Unscrupulous people are selling these fantasy animals for big bucks and ripping off folks thinking they'd like to spend a cold winter's night curled up with a pig the size of a soup can next to them in bed.  These so-called teacup pigs are, in actuality, baby pot-bellied pigs.  Some are being taken from their mothers and sold at the young age of three months.  And, yes, at three months, these pigs are quite tiny.  But pet pigs reach full body size at three years of age.  It is no wonder, then, that those duped into purchasing a tiny animal for a huge price, find themselves living with a 150 pound pig in two and a half years or so.

Please don't allow yourself to be fooled and be parted with your money by people trying to make a dollar selling baby pot-bellied pigs.  Do your research, and ask for references.  Go to organizations like Pig Placement Network, a good, solid organization that has been rescuing pot-bellies for many years, and ask them for advice on micro or teacup pigs.  Educate yourself first before diving into the trap these profiteers set for you.
--article by Gay L. Balliet. http://www.gayballiet.com/ and http://www.adventureswithanimals.blogspot.com/.