Adoption Beliefs

Adoption Procedure

Potbellied pigs are exotic animals and require special care. Most do not do well exclusively as house pets. All pigs are farm animals. They require much time outdoors, a very large well fenced area, a place to root, a pool or mud hole to cool in, and grazing. If they do not get these things, they will turn a small yard into a desolate dirt lot, root up carpet and linoleum and tear through drywall.

These highly intelligent animals are incredibly loyal to their friends and family. Mother pigs, piglets, mated pairs, and siblings develop relationships that will last a lifetime. Uprooting them from their homes, friends and families is a very traumatic event in the life of a pig. Unless you are prepared to provide a suitable, enriched environment for their life span (up to 18 years), it is not fair to consider bringing a pig into your family.

Potbellied pigs must be spayed and neutered by trained veterinarians. They cannot be spayed in the same manner as a dog or cat and cannot survive being neutered in the same manner as a typical farm pigs. Males are totally unsuitable as pets if not neutered. They have a musky smell and are amorous every minute of every day. Females come into heat every 21 days and suffer from PMS and are equally determined to find a mate. Two unaltered pigs can become hundreds within two or three years if left to breed unchecked. Every sanctuary for potbellied pigs in the United States is full from pigs purchased by people who were unaware of what they were getting into. It is virtually impossible to find a GOOD home for a grown potbellied pig.

Potbellied Pigs require veterinarians trained in their care. Most vets will not even touch them. Every pet pig MUST have an experienced vet to care for them and a way to transport the pig to the vet. Even the best mobile vet often refers animals to Universities and animal hospitals in order to save their lives or prevent suffering.

Many localities have zoning ordinances against pigs or very strict standards on size and weight. Many of the breeders selling pigs fail to mention this to their buyers.

Potbellied pigs require special food, NOT that sold as commercial hog feed, intended for animals not meant to live over six months of age. Keeping them at the correct weight is challenging for even experienced pig owners. Overweight pigs become blind. Underweight pigs fed the wrong or insufficient diet die at an early age and suffer from joint disease such as rickets.

Potbellied pigs are herd animals and require another pig to remain content and peaceful. The only study conducted on aggression in miniature pigs concluded that having a single pig in a household is the only common contributing factor that could be determined to be the cause of the aggression.

Potbellied pigs have 44 sharp teeth and should never be left unattended with young children who may have sticky and yummy substances on their fingers or mouths!

Potbellied pigs must never be left alone with dogs that may kill or maim them if there is any altercation over food. Pigs are prey animals and even dogs that have been friendly to them for years have been known to kill them with no apparent provocation, probably because something triggered the predator/prey drive between the two species.

Education prior to acquiring an animal is paramount to a successful placement. The unique requirements of any animal and a person's ability to fulfill those requirements must be considered first and foremost. Potbellied pigs are unusually susceptible to the tragic scenario of the impulse buy of a cute piglet or the urban myth that these animals are the perfect apartment or house pet. The unusual needs of miniature pigs make them unsuitable as companions to all but the most prepared and educated of people. Please research fully and go visit a nearby sanctuary or educated pig household before making a decision. There are many older pigs literally dying to find a good home--please consider adopting one of them. Their personalities and size are clearly visible. Many sanctuaries offer sponsorships for people who love pigs but know that they cannot offer them what they truly need to be happy--a win/win situation for all.

Photos: Holly is proudly sponsored by Chaney and Grace K (title photo). Seventeen year old Pugsley is sponsored by Becky and Bob B (bottom photo).