PIGS ARE PETS

Those of you who know our family well know that we have a HEART for animals. Unfortunately, our most recent pot belly pig rescues, Zoey & Bonnie (weight roughly 60lbs), do not meet the approval of one of our neighbors, so we’ve been given 30 days to find them a new home. We are brokenhearted, to say the least, at the possibility of losing our beloved pets that have become family members.

 

Also near and dear to our hearts is the city of Germantown. It is our home. My mom has either lived or worked in Germantown for over 45 years, and all of my three siblings and I have graduated from Germantown or Houston High School. I currently work at Houston High School, where I teach special education. We love being a part of the Germantown community and are calling on you now for support.

 

We have owned pigs as pets for over eight years at our Germantown home. Recently, without prior warning, the City received a complaint from someone who lives nearby regarding our pigs. Residents of the houses near ours have never indicated any concerns surrounding our pets, nor has the City previously expressed an issue. Prior to receiving the official notice of complaint from the City, ownership of pigs at our home has never been a concern for anyone living around us. 

 

According to the City of Germantown website, pigs are considered domestic animals, and according to the state of Tennessee, pigs, both mini and pot-bellied, are recognized as pets. Contrary to popular belief, pet pigs do not pose a threat to public health or safety. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been no reported cases of swine flu transmission from pet pigs to humans in the United States. 

 

Our pigs receive the love and attention they otherwise would not if they lived on a large-scale farm or in a sanctuary, and they cause no harm to those around them. Our pet pigs are spayed, vaccinated, potty trained, and registered as pets through the American mini pig association. When our pigs are not outside in their backyard oasis, they live inside our home. Furthermore, their time spent indoors accounts for more than half of a 24-hour day. These pigs genuinely meet the definition of pets and serve as members of our family.

 

Millions of families across the United States have pigs resembling ours as pets. Our family and close friends are incredibly disappointed that the City of Germantown chooses to consider all pigs as  “livestock” despite the circumstances of their living arrangements. This means that families who wish to keep a pig as a companion animal in Germantown are unable to do so without facing legal repercussions. We believe this ban is unfair and should be lifted. Pigs are intelligent and social animals who can form strong bonds with their human caretakers. 

 

Pigs are often kept as pets in other parts of the country, and there is no reason why they should not be allowed in Germantown, provided they meet the criteria set by the City. Many cities across the country allow residents to keep pet pigs with certain restrictions in place, and Germantown should be no different. For example, Los Angeles permits miniature pot-bellied pigs weighing less than 120 pounds as pets.

By lifting the ban on pet pigs in Germantown, we would be joining other progressive cities that recognize the value of these unique animals as companions. We urge city officials to reconsider this outdated policy and allow responsible pig owners to provide loving homes for these intelligent creatures.

Sources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Swine Influenza (Flu)
• - City of Los Angeles Department of Animal Services: "Pot-Bellied Pigs"
• - City of Germantown, Tennessee City Ordinances