Teacup pigs, also known as miniature pigs, have been all the rage for the last decade or so.  But… The problem is, there is no such thing as a teacup or miniature pig.  The closest a healthy potbelly pig can get to “miniature” size are Vietnamese potbelly pigs, and they typically weigh 100-200 pounds.  Not so teacup, right?

Breeders are taking these poor potbelly pigs, underfeed them so they don’t grow to their natural full size, and make sure the mom pig is not fully grown when they breed her.  This way, underfed, not fully grown pigs look a lot smaller.  But it is, of course, very cruel.  It also decreases these poor pig’s life expectancy.  And a lot of folks who are tricked into getting these pigs usually are upset when their new pet gets a lot bigger than planned so they give them up to shelters.

So now shelters are overrun with potbelly pigs who have been mistreated, malnourished, and looking for a loving home.  But, shockingly, there are not as many people looking to have a pig that weighs more than them.  If you are thinking of getting a new pet, though, please consider these wonderful pigs!

Pigs are super fun, friendly, and SMART!  I had the honor of working with the pigs at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, and those guys were picking up on the clicker training faster than any dogs I have worked with.  I can’t wait to get a pair of pigs myself!

To learn more about “teacup” pigs, and their plight, please visit Best Friends’ website here.

Thanks and Oink!

It is a crazy time, and I hope everyone is checking in with their friends and family so we can all feel connected during this isolating time.  A lot of people and businesses are going to suffer due to this pandemic, especially nonprofits, and especially animal welfare organizations.  While an outbreak of a new disease is occurring, people are panicking and leaving their animals at shelters… and the number of adoptions is going down (or is down to zero because the shelters are having to close).  This equals shelters being overrun with homeless animals.

There are several ways you can help, though!  Reach out to your local animal shelter and see how you can help them.  Want a quarantine friend for life?  Adopt!  Looking for a short term quarantine friend?  Foster!  Love animals, but can’t take one in right now?  Donate!  Animal shelters all over the world are hurting right now, and that means animals are going to be hurting, too.  Please, adopt, foster, donate… help however you can!

And do know, there is no proof that animals can transmit the virus to humans.  You can keep your pets and everyone will be safe.  And you can bring in new pets… you will all still be safe!  More information about that here from the CSU College of Veterinary Medicine.

Please help if you can.  And be safe – stay away from large groups, don’t go out if you really don’t have to.  And do check in on your friends and family, and those around you who may be at a greater risk.  We all need to step up and help each other to make sure the best outcome happens.

Go get a foster to snuggle with during all this, and cheers, friends.