Micro-Pigs Take Over the UK
Teacup pigs are all the rage in Britain right now. These micro-pigs are much smaller than a standard farm pig and weigh 9 oz., making them the size of a teacup when they're born. The adorable pets are sold for up to $1,125 (£700) each.
Geoff Robinson Photography
The trendy pigs, which grow to just 14 inches tall, have become nearly impossible to get hold of in the UK!
Geoff Robinson Photography
Jane Croft, breeder of the teacup pigs, now devotes all of her time to breeding the UK's newest obsession. "Demand for micro pigs is soaring and we are inundated with inquiries every day," Croft told UK's Daily Mail.
Geoff Robinson Photography
The irresistible little piggies are even being snatched up by celebrities, including Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint.
Geoff Robinson Photography
"It's amazing how popular they have suddenly become and just how many people want pigs as pets," Croft told the Daily Mail.
Geoff Robinson Photography
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I feed feral cats, trap them and get them spayed/neutered, and free them afterward. They are healthy and happy where they are and we don't get rats from the river not far away - not because they kill the rats but because rats don't go where cats are. I also have an inside dog and an inside cat. These little pigs are engineered and not a naturally occurring animal. What will happen when their owners get tired of them? They won't last till the water gets hot (sorry, no pun intended). But pot bellied pigs did fairly well, I believe--
In the U.S. there is no such thing a a teacup dog. Also there is no pocket poodle or tiny toy. There are only 3 sizes. Toy the smallest, miniature the medium size and standard which is the largest for poodles. You measure them from the shoulder down to get the inches. Also, stop breeding mixed breeds to sell for hundreds of dollars when there are soooo many dogs and cats in the shelters that are just as loving that cost only an adoption fee, which is very small. Save a life, adopt and then make sure you fix them to prevent unwanted litters. Thank you!!
I totally agree to adopt from a shelter.. PLEASE!! And have your pet FIXED.. I have 14 and all of mine are fixed. Don't add to the over pet population. Adopt .. !!! And stop going for every little animal trend in the world.
Ken...
You are entitled how you feel....but so is everyone. You also must know that there are countless "shelters" for creatures other than the dog or cat. Most are run by fellow creature lovers who hate to see any living thing disrespected. I've got an associate who has an iguna rescue group...so not all of us think in convienient little boxes. My definition of a "pet" is any living creature you choose to share your environment and life with....plant, animal, microbe, whatever as long as it is cared for and respected for what it is. There is however a pretty clear definition in society as to what is a "household" pet...and thats cats, dogs, maybe goldfish. I don't agree but not everyone is as open minded. By the way self-rightousness is not just reserved for those who "bless" other creatures. To offer a blessing may seem self-rightous but prejudging based on what a post says is very shallow for an "open minded" person. Again my opinion.
OMG...I hate to admit this...but...I WANT ONE! I've always wanted a pig and these babies would be perfect! I mean...I probably would never get one because the dog would be jealous. I would have to stop eating pork as well. BUT...I would do it,...if it meant that I could be a piggy-mom! Oh....that didn't sound quite right now, did it??
As Gertrude Stein would say, "A pig is a pig is a pig."
Oh and another thing are we gonna sit still for F-ing Vick getting a reality show. Post your anger towards BET. How dare they and that Animal Murder get away with something as crappy as this. I HATE THAT MAN VICK !!!
Connie...
You said "can you get that from a tea-cup" pig? Don't ever underestimate the power of a cool wet snout and a pair of soulfull eyes. This dog lovers know well...being a cat person you may not. By the way I commend you for rescuing your kitties. I'm sure they are forever greatfull. Its just different animal...the compassion the owner feels is the same....be it a pig or a cat.
while i have nothing against shelter cats, (i've had 3 in
the last 20 years), i'm tired of being condemned by everyone for having 3 dogs i didn't get from a shelter. i don't think it makes me a bad person. it's not the responsible purebred breeder that is causing the problem. a responsible breeder won't breed a dog more than once a year. it's the backyard breeder that thinks their dog is so cute there needs to be 2 or 3 more litters from them every year that is causing the overpopulation of pets. the right pet for the right person would eliminate a lot of the problems with the shelters. too many people make a quick decision to get an animal without knowing what that breed is like. do research first and see if that animal will fit into your life. for heaven's sake, if
you live in an apartment, don't get a greyhound! we thought a
dalmation would fit our family, but after doing a lot of reading
about them and visiting some in shelters, we realized that that would not be the right breed for us. we ended up with a boston terrier, a chi and a japanese chin/papillion mix. not even close to a
dalmation! and yes.... all my dogs are spayed and neutered.
You animal lover people are Just a bunch of dumb hippies! Grow up and let the rest of us do what we want.
We adopted our dog and cat from our animal shelter. The shelter paid for their being spayed. They are both girls and we have raised them together. We would love to adopt a couple more but it does cost to feed them, get their shots, and make sure they are brushed as they both have long hair. Our cat is a house cat - she has been declawed on the front feet - and she has to have two ice cubes in her water dish every day as it apparently seems like a treat to her.
These sweet little pigs should only be adopted by people who will care for them and love them . It's such a shame that trends come about when someone gets a hair brained idea to make money knowing there will always be people who will buy anything that's "in".
I have been a pet groomer for over 25yrs and I love dogs and cats and spend 5 days a week 52 weeks a year caring for them. It's not just to make them pretty but also for health and sanitation reasons. What we are seeing is a HUGE rise in the "designer" pet industry. People are paying huge prices for mixes and mini pets only to find problems thier breeders forgot to mention. Reliable pure bred breeders spend years trying to eliminate genetic problems only to have thier breed mixed with another for a color to match the drapes or a size to fit in thier designer bag. Then they find out thier shedless dog DOES shed and oh yeah he mats real bad too. Or thier tiny little"poo" mix is hypoglycemic or has badly deformed legs. Look I'm not against mix breeds. I have one myself but like those little pigs, who knows what genetic problems some people are messing with.
So how many of these things would it take to make a decent BLT??
Old Smokey was abandon out in the cold by heartless owners who just drove off and left him 19 years ago. He is curled up here on the bed next to me right now. Yes it is a commitment and I have enjoyed every minute of it.
THEY ARE VERY CUTE!
WE HAVE THREE POT BELLY PIGS AND LOVE THEM TO DEATH.
WE HAVE ALSO HAVE ADOPTED SEVERAL CATS AND DOGS FROM SHELTERS AND THE HUMANE SOCIETIES THROUGH THE YEARS.
WE ARE IN OUR MID FIFTIES AND WILL NOT BE ADOPTING ANY MORE ANIMALS. I WANT TO OUT LIVE OUR ANIMALS.
OUR ANIMAL COMPANIONS ARE VERY SPOILED AND IT WOULD BE VERY STRESSFUL TO HAVE THEM GO TO A SHELTER IF WE DIED BEFORE THEM.
LOVE YOUR ANIMAL COMPANIONS WHILE YO HAVE THEM.
I wonder what will happen in a few months/years when the novelty wears off and a rescue has to be started for them because people want to be "cool" and have the latest fashion statement in pets. I can just see Paris Hilton carrying a little piggie around in one of her expensive bags!!!! Don't get me wrong I love pigs, but people have to use a little common sense. These little guys (or girls) need just as much attention as any dog or cat, so give it a little time and you'll be able to pick one up in one to the rescue shelters. Too bad. They are adorable.
These are the cutest pets in the world. My wife wants one so bad.
my wife now wants one too
A Pig is Still a Pig. All baby pigs are tiny when born. When we had baby pigs this small on the farm they were called runts. They still grew up to be BIG PIGS. Just like the Pot bellied pigs they were really adorable as babies but they don't stay tiny.
Most end up well over a 100 lb. That's a lot of Pig for a house pet!
Has anybody seen one of these Micro Pigs full grown? I think anyone considering having one should definately do their research and homework first. Otherwise down the road "This Little Piggy" will go to market too!!!!
Pigs aren't really suited as house pets though. They have different needs to cats or dogs: they're highly intelligent, willful, strong, and can be very destructive. And even micro pigs usually grow up to become decent-sized pigs. The problem is, much like when people adopt an inappropriate breed of dog for their lifestyle, the animal can develop psychological and/or physical problems, and these animals can often become dangerous. And yes, they end up in shelters, or euthanised, or abandoned. Most people are unsuited to owning pigs.