So if you have been following my blog for a while, you remember that back in August of 2010, my husband bought me an adorable teeny pot-bellied pig. We call him Ollie. At almost 2 years old, Ollie is now as tall as a Labrador and WAY heavier. Well over 100 pounds. Now, I think he is just the most handsome pig in the world, but most of our friends and family are shocked at how big he has gotten. He even has some nice tusks, to boot! I meet people all the time who want a pig when they find out that I have one, they see videos on YouTube of a sweet little football-sized piggy doing tricks. It is a myth that even the famed "teacup" pigs stay really small...a mini potbelly can get up to 200 pounds! And SO, this is the problem with fad pets. Fad pets are pets that suddenly become popular and everyone "has to have one". The problem is that many folks will acquire a fad pet and not think about how much work it is to take care of one. For example, even our yard has to be pig-proof. Ollie will tear up trash if it is left around. He needs to be fed and watered regularly. He needs a pool of water and a warm, dry bed. He even has his own pig house, and comes inside often during the cold months. These reasons contribute to why so many fad pets end up in sanctuaries or abandoned. People just do not educate themselves. If you have the time and the patience, a mini potbelly is a great pet. If you like your yard hole-free, your furniture upright, and your time to yourself, it is not a good choice. Of course, you can say that about most pets. If you are not willing to love them unconditionally, perhaps you should reconsider owning a pet. If the demand goes away, the population of these animals will naturally go down over time because humans will stop intentionally breeding them to sell as pets.
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