This petition is in support of changing the Marion County Florida code on mini pigs from livestock to pets. 

Mini pigs came to the US in 1989 strictly for the pet market. This is still true today; mini pigs are only bred as pets. Thousands of mini pigs end up in rescues due to zoning laws.

According to Marion County FL zoning ordinances, mini pigs fall under the legal characterization of "livestock." Under this categorization, mini pigs are not permitted to be kept as pets within the city limits or residential zoned property. This petition aims for a reclassification of mini pigs as household pets, much more akin to dogs than their agricultural counterparts. Mini pigs are not a specific breed but an adjective used to describe them in comparison to their farm pig cousins. They should not have to be registered unless all dogs are required to be registered. There are several breeds of dogs bigger than the average mini pig. These include Saint Bernard, Bernes Mountain Dog, Irish Wolfhound, Leonberger, Mastiff, Anatolian Shepherd, Dogue de Bordeaux, Great Dane, Newfoundland, Otterhound, Alaskan Malamute, Australian Shepherd, Black Russian Terrier, Bullmastiff, American Staffordshire Terrier, Cane Corso and more. Mini pigs are very smart and clean. They are trained as therapy animals and are great Emotional Support Animals. The livestock classification is untrue and unjust. Let pet pigs stay at home with their owners. Thank you for your support.