Pitiful plight of Gilbert, a GROWING piglet
By Hu Min |
May 21, 2013, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
GILBERT, a four-month-old, seven-kilogram piglet, is nestled on a sofa, intently watching television next to his owner Alex Hao, who has tied a red ribbon and bow around his neck and calls him her "dear friend."
Sadly, there won't be many more TV nights and cuddles in Hao's small apartment near Shanghai Library. Fortunately (perhaps), Gilbert will soon be frolicking on a farm in Pudong - or so Hao has been told.
Chinese people are especially fond of pork, so Hao had to carefully vet prospective carers.
Gilbert had been abandoned on a film-shooting site, rescued by a friend and given to Hao in February.
"The first time I saw the little creature, I decided to care for it, since it was so cute. I loved it at first sight," Hao says.
At that time the piglet weighed less than a kilogram but it gained weight quickly and after a week it weighed two kilos, Hao says. Pigs do like to eat.
"Gilbert is active, naughty, clean and playful," Hao says, adding that he has beautiful black-and-white markings. He has a black face and the tip of his snout is pink.
"I asked him not to grunt, and he listened and kept quiet. He even watches TV with me on the sofa," she says.
When a vet told her Gilbert could weigh 60 to 80 kilos, Hao decided that sweet Gilbert needed a new home. The veterinarian recommended a farm.
"Gilbert has become a good friend," says Hao, adding that parting will be difficult.
Great pets
Miniature pigs can make great pets - pigs are clean, smart, affectionate, sociable and loyal - but some unscrupulous business people sell ordinary piglets that naturally grow to be quite large.
Some owners looking for small novelty pets later abandon their porkers, who are sensitive homebodies and suffer separation anxiety.
Vietnamese pot-bellied piglets, a relatively small breed, used to be all the rage in the West, but they fell out of favor since they grew rather large.
Gilbert is an ordinary farm pig, but there are specially bred pint-sized porkers that are used for medical research and have become popular in the West as novelty pets.
Known as micro pigs or teacup pigs, they really are tiny at birth and photos show them next to or inside teacups. Adults stand 30-40 centimeters high and weigh 40-65 kilograms, like a medium-size dogs.
Piggy trend
Today, little pigs are becoming a pet trend in China, though there are not many. Unethical breeders or farmers sell ordinary farm pigs as miniature breeds and it's hard to find an authentic miniature.
No one knows how many pet pigs make their home in China, but recently a woman was spotting walking a black pig and golden retriever on leashes at Huaihai and Jiashan roads.
In one Beijing residential community, a man walks his pet pig every day, and the sociable porker has become a neighborhood star.
Still, many people are unprepared for the growth of adorable piglets - some were duped by sellers - and abandon them on the street. Some seek new homes for them.
In praise of pigs
Like dogs, pigs bond with their owners. The right-sized pig makes a delightful indoor-outdoor pet; apartment dwelling is not ideal. They are easily trained and can use litter boxes - they are smarter than some dogs.
Pigs are curious, affectionate and playful. They are odor-free and usually non-allergenic. They don't bark or meow.
Pigs are sensitive and can be headstrong. Without appropriate stimulation, they easily become bored and can become destructive or aggressive.
They do like food and can learn to open the fridge and cupboards, says Hao who feeds Gilbert vegetables and oatmeal.
"Few people raise pet pigs in Shanghai since there's no space and it's hard to buy authentic small pigs," she adds.
There's no animal welfare law that prohibits abandoning any animal in the city. Animals are banned in public venues, but it's okay to walk your pig on a leash.
Hao is not the only pig lover looking for a home for a growing piglet. An Internet user in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, is seeking a new home for her piglet Rourou and has posted photos.
"Rourou is a smart and cute child and we love it very much. But it now weighs 100 kilograms and we cannot care for it because my apartment is too small," writes Yidanjun on Sina weibo.
"I beg for your help. I will pay money and give any support to a place that would provide Rourou a good home. Rourou can barely turn around in the spot where he sleeps and there's no room for activity," the owner writes.
Pig's plight
The piggie's plight generated considerable comment, some saying unscrupulous businessmen should be held responsible for selling ordinary pigs as miniatures.
"Is it possible to help it lose weight?" joked Internet user Tangbamiao.
In Foshan, Guangdong Province, the animal protection association advised Yidanjun to keep raising it. "The pet is accustomed to living in your home and it will feel pain if it leaves you. You two have established deep trust. Pigs are smart and they are no less loyal than dogs and cats. Please conquer your difficulties and try to raise it until it dies."
"I feel I was cheated by sellers because it weighed less than 1.5 kilos when I bought it," Yidanjun says.
Breeders and sellers must be ethical and prospective buyers should first educate themselves about pigs, says Dr Sun Quanhui with the China office of World Society for the Protection of Animals, an international non-profit animal welfare organization.
Responsible pig owners should care for their pets throughout the animal's life, Sun says. Miniature pigs live to be 15 to 20 years old.
"They should not abandon them. If they cannot raise them they should contact animal rescue centers or animal protection organizations to ensure the health of the animals."
Sadly, there won't be many more TV nights and cuddles in Hao's small apartment near Shanghai Library. Fortunately (perhaps), Gilbert will soon be frolicking on a farm in Pudong - or so Hao has been told.
Chinese people are especially fond of pork, so Hao had to carefully vet prospective carers.
Gilbert had been abandoned on a film-shooting site, rescued by a friend and given to Hao in February.
"The first time I saw the little creature, I decided to care for it, since it was so cute. I loved it at first sight," Hao says.
At that time the piglet weighed less than a kilogram but it gained weight quickly and after a week it weighed two kilos, Hao says. Pigs do like to eat.
"Gilbert is active, naughty, clean and playful," Hao says, adding that he has beautiful black-and-white markings. He has a black face and the tip of his snout is pink.
"I asked him not to grunt, and he listened and kept quiet. He even watches TV with me on the sofa," she says.
When a vet told her Gilbert could weigh 60 to 80 kilos, Hao decided that sweet Gilbert needed a new home. The veterinarian recommended a farm.
"Gilbert has become a good friend," says Hao, adding that parting will be difficult.
Great pets
Miniature pigs can make great pets - pigs are clean, smart, affectionate, sociable and loyal - but some unscrupulous business people sell ordinary piglets that naturally grow to be quite large.
Some owners looking for small novelty pets later abandon their porkers, who are sensitive homebodies and suffer separation anxiety.
Vietnamese pot-bellied piglets, a relatively small breed, used to be all the rage in the West, but they fell out of favor since they grew rather large.
Gilbert is an ordinary farm pig, but there are specially bred pint-sized porkers that are used for medical research and have become popular in the West as novelty pets.
Known as micro pigs or teacup pigs, they really are tiny at birth and photos show them next to or inside teacups. Adults stand 30-40 centimeters high and weigh 40-65 kilograms, like a medium-size dogs.
Piggy trend
Today, little pigs are becoming a pet trend in China, though there are not many. Unethical breeders or farmers sell ordinary farm pigs as miniature breeds and it's hard to find an authentic miniature.
No one knows how many pet pigs make their home in China, but recently a woman was spotting walking a black pig and golden retriever on leashes at Huaihai and Jiashan roads.
In one Beijing residential community, a man walks his pet pig every day, and the sociable porker has become a neighborhood star.
Still, many people are unprepared for the growth of adorable piglets - some were duped by sellers - and abandon them on the street. Some seek new homes for them.
In praise of pigs
Like dogs, pigs bond with their owners. The right-sized pig makes a delightful indoor-outdoor pet; apartment dwelling is not ideal. They are easily trained and can use litter boxes - they are smarter than some dogs.
Pigs are curious, affectionate and playful. They are odor-free and usually non-allergenic. They don't bark or meow.
Pigs are sensitive and can be headstrong. Without appropriate stimulation, they easily become bored and can become destructive or aggressive.
They do like food and can learn to open the fridge and cupboards, says Hao who feeds Gilbert vegetables and oatmeal.
"Few people raise pet pigs in Shanghai since there's no space and it's hard to buy authentic small pigs," she adds.
There's no animal welfare law that prohibits abandoning any animal in the city. Animals are banned in public venues, but it's okay to walk your pig on a leash.
Hao is not the only pig lover looking for a home for a growing piglet. An Internet user in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, is seeking a new home for her piglet Rourou and has posted photos.
"Rourou is a smart and cute child and we love it very much. But it now weighs 100 kilograms and we cannot care for it because my apartment is too small," writes Yidanjun on Sina weibo.
"I beg for your help. I will pay money and give any support to a place that would provide Rourou a good home. Rourou can barely turn around in the spot where he sleeps and there's no room for activity," the owner writes.
Pig's plight
The piggie's plight generated considerable comment, some saying unscrupulous businessmen should be held responsible for selling ordinary pigs as miniatures.
"Is it possible to help it lose weight?" joked Internet user Tangbamiao.
In Foshan, Guangdong Province, the animal protection association advised Yidanjun to keep raising it. "The pet is accustomed to living in your home and it will feel pain if it leaves you. You two have established deep trust. Pigs are smart and they are no less loyal than dogs and cats. Please conquer your difficulties and try to raise it until it dies."
"I feel I was cheated by sellers because it weighed less than 1.5 kilos when I bought it," Yidanjun says.
Breeders and sellers must be ethical and prospective buyers should first educate themselves about pigs, says Dr Sun Quanhui with the China office of World Society for the Protection of Animals, an international non-profit animal welfare organization.
Responsible pig owners should care for their pets throughout the animal's life, Sun says. Miniature pigs live to be 15 to 20 years old.
"They should not abandon them. If they cannot raise them they should contact animal rescue centers or animal protection organizations to ensure the health of the animals."
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