Checklist  before adding a  family member with an oink!..

   Before you get a pig, here is a 10 point Q&A  of things  to think about.  Please  read it thoroughly and think about your answers.. Remember, we are a non-profit organization that has rescued thousands of miniature pigs for nearly 20 years now and we DO NOT want you to get into something that will not work, may harm your family members or result in yet another homeless pig. We have only the welfare of the pig and you in mind. We do not sell or barter in anything and have nothing to gain or lose by providing this information, except to prevent more tragic pig / people mismatches.

Miniature pigs, teacup minis, micro-minis and Vietnamese miniatures are all the same pig. There are a few subspecies but in terms of size and behavior they are all similar.

     1)  Do I know how big this pig will get?        Pigs at adulthood will weigh 80-200 pounds if properly fed and get plenty of exercise. Understanding that this is normal is a first step. People who try to sell you (or give you) a pig and tell you that it will stay under 50# are not telling you the truth about pigs. They are in the business of selling pigs, not caring for pigs for their lifetimes. Perhaps they really don't know.. since most destroy their breeding stock before they ever reach adulthood.

    2)  Do pigs need to be outside a lot of the time? I have been told they can live inside.     Pigs are designed to be outside rooting in the earth and living in herds. It is not mentally or physically fair to house a pig indoors  Yes, you can offer it indoor/outdoor living, but a pig needs at least a minimum of 4 hours outside with a large  fenced in area to dig up if it wants. These are pigs-not dogs or cats. Grazing is not a luxury but a health necessity, it builds their immune system and keeps their digestion working. Pigs who don't go outside every day become unhealthy and very bored and frustrated and the ramifications are to root up your carpet, linoleum, chew holes in the walls and become frustrated towards  the human household.

    3) Can I keep my pig with my dogs or other animals?  Not in most cases.  Dogs will naturally attack and kill pigs. That is the normal predator (dog)/prey (pig) relationship. It doesn't matter how well they seem to get along. In time the dog will naturally attack the pig. Please go to www.pigpals.com and click on the educational links page for more information regarding that subject. Here is a picture of one of the dozens of pigs we have who was attacked. Most have ears, feet and rectums chewed off when its a dog attack, while horses and any other equines (donkey, llama, burro)  will break the neck of a pig or rip its back off while trying to do so. . Horses have an innate fear/hatred for pigs. I have yet to hear a good explanation but have seen many fatally wounded pigs from the incidents. . Pigs can make friends safely with cats and rabbits and many do well with herds of cattle in open spaces where they aren't likely to get stepped on. .

    4)    How old do these pigs get? The lifespan of a miniature pig is 15-20  years.  Pigs form very strong relationships with people and the loss of their family is devastating. Keeping pigs in pairs or small groups can help alleviate the grieving over the years as changes occur.. Never give a young pig  to a senior.. they are far too difficult for older people to handle and chances are they will be left grieving when their human dies or becomes too aged to continue to care for them.

    5) What does it cost per year to keep a pig?

6) Who will do the vet work? Finding an experienced pig vet is very difficult. Only 2 universities even teach pig medicine so there is hardly any training for vets. A dog and cat vet will not usually treat the pig. Best bet is a farm animal vet and you need to be very sure he knows what he is doing. You will need a chute, ramp and means to transport him to the vet. You won't be lifting him when he is full grown. Check with your closest vet school.. For most pig people an experienced pig vet is a 4 to 8 hour drive away. Ask at the vet schools for a recommendation closer to where you live but be prepared to travel great distances to find quality care. .

7. Am I zoned for a pet pig?  Pigs are considered 'livestock' animals by the Dept of Agriculture and are not allowed within certain cities/town to live in many states. You need to check with your specific zoning ordinance of your city/town to see if they allow miniature pigs . Also, check with any home association that your house may be a member of as they may have specific covenants against pigs. Even your deed may have a "no swine" covenant from 100 years past.

8) Are there other restrictions or regulations about pigs? Yes, and they are federally enforced. Pigs are one of the animals regulated by the new NAIS system of identification currently being implemented across the country.  Your pig will be issued an ID number and need to be permanently ID'd by microchip. He may not be moved from the home without filing a request with NAIS. Until NAIS is fully implemented the paperwork and blood testing si all done by the state USDA.  Pigs carry diseases that are economically devastating to the farming business so their movements are strictly curtailed by the state and federal agencies. Moving a pig without the state issued  papers can result in him being confiscated and killed. .

9) What will I do with my pig if I have to move, get a divorce or for some other reason cannot keep him?  Chances are he will have to be put down or placed in a risky situation where he will not be safe. The sanctuaries are all full. When people get pigs for pets they seldom see a list like this or get a chance to understand what they are getting into.. so many get them without full information and then cannot keep them later.. and the places for them to go are few and usually full.  If you go to our placements page you can read about the risks in our part of the country when trying to place a pig in a good home.

10)  I want to have my pig be an only pig, stay inside  and be very bonded to me. How do I make that happen?  If you think this through you will soon realize this is NOT really what you want at all..  For the pig it means a lifetime of separation from his kind, the only creatures on the planet who speak his language and feel his feelings. For you it means a demanding and whiney companion who will destroy the house, bite everyone that comes near him  and eventually even back you down as he establishes his role as "boss hog". He will be unhappy and frustrated in his life and you will pay dearly for it. Approx.  96% of pigs who become homeless are from single pig households. What starts with a tiny cute and agreeable piglet ends tragically with a 180 pound pig with long hooves and tusks that no one can trim until he is crippled and dies or he attacks the wrong person and is killed.. Pigs frequently attack toddlers and older family members. Why blame the pig? He is simply angry at being held captive in the "prison" you created..

OK.. so maybe a pig isn't in my future but I don't like dogs and can't have a horse on my small property.. what makes a good pet? Maybe consider a cat or a rabbit or both. They get along well and are both litter trainable.. and a small outdoor yard with lots of grass is a delightful place for Mr Bunny to take his afternoons.. Smaller spaces needed, less damage, less danger to family and there is a great need for homes for these pets too.