Hog Panels Going to SCAMPP.org

Farm Hogs
Note the height of the larger pigs in the photograph, in comparison to the height of the man.
These are nearly grown hogs.  Many are much larger than these. 

Some of the people from S. C. A. M. P. P., (Southern California Association for Miniature Potbellied Pigs) are coming to get several hog panels which will be used for rescued Pot Bellied Pigs, as well as other rescued pigs that are taken in from animal shelters, as well as from people who were taken in on scams, getting tiny piglets under the misinformation that they will never get larger than from twenty to fifty pounds.  Many unscrupulous breeders sell these tiny babies, telling people that they are about a month old, when in reality they are usually only a week or two old.

Miniature pig with two piglets which
are about two months old

Miniature pigs of many breeds do exist, but there are precious few that never grow larger than fifty pounds, with most of them maturing in four to five years at closer to one hundred fifty pounds, and some even larger.  You may wonder why anyone would call an animal a miniature when they get about the size of a lager Rottweiler.  Actually, when compared to a fully grown farm hog, or as some call them, market hogs.  A fully matured farm hog can easily weigh in at seven hundred pounds, to as much as half a ton.  All thing being relative, a one hundred fifty or even a two hundred pound hog is a miniature when compared to their half ton cousins.

Fully matured Miniature Potbellied Pig
She weighs about 200 pounds

This pet pig was rescued when her owner was no  longer able to keep her, due to local ordinance did now allow what they considered farm animals.  Some localities are slowly changing their laws to allow people to have their pet pigs if they are spayed or neutered, while others only allow pets pigs if you have at least half an acre or more.

If anyone tells you that they are breeding "Tea Cup Pigs," or "Micro-Mini pigs," don't believe it, not for a second.  All pig rescue organizations will tell you the truth, that all pigs grow for up to five years, and while they are absolutely tiny at birth, they do grow, and they don't stop until they
 reach their genetically full size, with some getting larger than others.  Adopt, if you really are certain that you can manage a pet pig, and are dedicated to keeping it for it's lifetime, which can be up to seventeen years, or possibly even a bit longer.

Teaching school children about Potbellied Pigs

A pet pig also needs its hooves trimmed, as well as its tusks (if its a male). They also need vaccinations, and a veterinarian qualified in caring for pigs.  Pigs are also very intelligent, and if allowed to be bored, they can get into trouble.  Pigs need mental stimulation, toys and games are readily accepted.  You can easily teach a pig to dance, shake your hand, and even give kisses.  Actually, pigs are second only to the whale in intelligence.  They can learn and understand several hundred words and commands, too. Pigs thrive on attention and love, and can quickly become part of the family, including the family pets.

Josh, a four month old rescued Potbellied Piglet
recovering from surgery to neuter him.
He was just one of the several hundred pigs
which were rescued, hand raised and placed in
forever homes. 

The photo on the left is just one of some three hundred Potbellied Pigs which were rescued from certain death, when a local man, out of love for animals, took in a few pet pigs which some people were no longer able to keep.  They were not spayed or neutered, and he ended up with more than three hundred adult pigs, and more than one hundred little ones, which were all finally placed in private homes.  The adults which were not pets, were also spayed or neutered, and while some were placed with families, many were placed in sanctuaries, all across the United States, from  Washing to New York, and from California to the Canadian Border.

I actually was involved in this rescue effort, hand-raising about one hundred newborn piglets, which, I am happy to say, were all placed in wonderful homes of pig lovers located across the length and breadth of California.

One happy piglet, which is
about three months old.

See, under the right circumstances, pigs can be wonderful pets, or they and the uneducated owners of pigs can all be miserable, depending on love, dedication, and accurate knowledge, as well as the ability to properly care for and train a pet pig.

Now, about these hog panels which are being donated to S.C.A.M.P.P. (Southern California Association for Miniature Potbellied Pigs).  The hog panels are fencing materials which are specially made to contain pigs of various sizes.  They are very sturdily constructed and welded and are very durable.  Pigs, you see, are not only smart animals, but, being pigs, they root, using their snout. It's just what pigs do.  They can disassemble a chain link fence easily, while hot panels are rigid and don't give like chain link fences.  If pigs are on suitable terrain and have plenty of area where they can play, sleep, and root into the soil, following their noses, so to speak, they dig up bugs, roots, and eat just about anything they find there.  This is another reason to keep your pet pig contained when it is outside.

If you are proud of your landscaping, and want to keep in intact, then you certainly don't want to leave your pig on its own in that area, as it will soon destroy the whole area, searching for yummies here and there.

Sow and piglets, happily munching out, and rooting for nibbles

Pigs also need a place to wallow in mud and/or a pool with cool water in which to cool of in the summer time, as pigs do not have sweat glands, so cannot perspire cool itself and can easily die from overheating if not provided with shade and a way to cool off.

"One Cool Pig"