Legalizing Pigs as Pets

Summary:  Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs and miniature pigs have been in the United States since 1985.  Currently, many pet pig owners are forced to fight their municipal government in order to keep their pet pigs because of zoning laws that were promulgated to keep agricultural animals outside of city limits.  They were created long before the advent of pet pig ownership in the US and do not reflect the reality of the proliferation of companion pigs in recent years. 

The Ask:  Please consider supporting legislation that would allow the statewide keeping of these specific types of pigs as pets.

Talking Points: Current laws treat all pigs as livestock, a situation that does not reflect the real difference between species suited for companionship and domestic residence and their much larger cousins.  By enacting thoughtful regulations, Arizona can ensure that its citizens are educated and equipped to keep Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs and miniature pigs as animal companions. A current amount of pet pigs in Arizona 3, 387.   The importance of allowing pet pigs as pets: many pet pig owners are forced to fight their municipal government or surrender them to animal sanctuaries or pig rescues.  Additionally, pet pig rescues are inundated with potbellied pigs and miniature pigs who have been surrendered after the owners could no longer care for them.  Potbellied pigs and miniature pigs are native to Southeast Asia.  Each pet pig has their own personality.  Potbellied pigs and miniature pigs have hair, not fur.  For children and adults with allergies, these pigs can provide necessary companionship without affecting their health.  They can indeed make great pets for the right people.

The Importance of Allowing Pet Pigs as Pets:

* Many pet pig owners are forced to fight their municipal government or surrender them to pig sanctuaries or pig rescues.

* Additionally, pet pig rescues are inundated with full-sized potbellied pigs and miniature pigs who have been surrendered after the owners could no longer care for them.

*Potbellied Pigs and Miniature Pigs are native to Southeast Asia and since 1985 have been imported into the United States as pets.

*In fact, they are highly intelligent, social and playful who require mental stimulation and an appropriate living environment for optimal well-being.  As Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs and Mini Pigs become widely accepted as pets, many towns, cities and municipalities throughout the United States have enacted laws to permit the keeping of Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs and Mini Pigs as pets.

*They have the ability to form bonds with their humans and are very affectionate and playful.  Each has their own unique personalities.

*They can indeed make great pets for the right people with the right expectations. 

JUSTIFICATION:

Over the years, pet pigs have gained popularity and recognition as great pets due to the combination of their unique traits such as cleanliness, diminutive size, friendly disposition, and intelligence.

As pet pigs are becoming widely accepted as pets, in many towns, cities, and municipalities throughout the United States have enacted laws, ordinances to permit the keeping of pigs as pets.

We are asking you to please join us in advocating for this cause by signing our petition.