I am getting a piggie!!!

[IggyPop]

I plan on getting a pot belly pig for my girlfriend. They are her favorite animals. I dont' really know much about them but I am really good with animals and understand all the responsibilities that come along with them. I own an Iguana and that requires a lot of responsibilitie and knowledge. The pig will be staying with me and my Iguana in my apartment. Could you please give me some advice on diet and housing. I work 8 hours a day mon-fri. What should I do with the pig when I am at work? Could I just pig proof the bathroom and keep it in there? Also, if anyone is in the Philadelphia area could you please tell me of any places that sell pigs. Thank you?

[thorngirl]

Email me at thorngirl@sc.rr.com I have two babies left to sell.

[mypiglikestofu]

Make sure you research the piggies before getting one.
Pigs are very intelligent and do get bored like me and you do. They also can get pretty big. The bathroom will be fine place at first, maybe even use a child gate instead of closing the door so the piggy can see out. You can get a huge plastic sweater box for the litter box, best to get what they will use when they get bigger. The grow very fast. And if the litter box is not big enough they wont use it.
Look for a local vet for spay & neuter. And find a local feed store for your piggy pellets and worming pellets.
You will also need to child proof lock all cabinets, better to do it before they know they open. hehe
Lots of old phone books & baby toys with sounds when you press them for piggy to play.
You are a very nice boyfriend, I wish my boyfriend would let me have more piggies.
Let me know if you have any piggy questions.
I have an indoor piggy too.
And as to where to get one, I would adopt form a local sanctuary, so many pigs and not enough homes. Good luck!
check out http://www.petfinder.com
:8) ~Sam

[mypiglikestofu]

I found this sanctuary in PA for you,
also check farm auctions, you may be able to rescue a potbellied pig from slaughter.

Hog Heaven Rescue Farm, Inc
2681 Mallory Road
Cochranton , PA 16314
Phone & Fax: 814-425-1850
E-mail: hogheaven1@earthlink.net
Please Click To Visit Our Website: http://www.hogheavenrescue.org/
Problems with Our Pet Finder photo's or links please E-mail patszoo@earthlink.net

Hope this helps!
:8) ~Sam

[IggyPop]

Wow, thx a lot for all the info. It is greatly appreciated. I talked to a rescue that is close by. The lady I spoke with said that a pig may not be happy in my apartment. She said they need to be able to get outside and roam around. My girlfriend is really upset. She now wants a Pug since they look like a pig, kinda...

[mypiglikestofu]

Your welcome, I assumed you had access to outdoors like your own private lani or fenced area. Pigs are like children, you have to dedicate your life around your pig, like you would a child. Like , I never go out of town because he cannot come and I know he would be effected badly by this If I left him with someone, you can't do that like you can with a dog. Someone has to be there to feed them in the morning and take them outside to potty(after the litterbox days) and then in the afternoon they need the bellyrubs, communication, snacks and potty time again and then throught the day and at night. It goes on everyday and you have to be dedicated because they depend on you. They are adventurers and interested in learning about the world and a pig in the house will do things to keep himself occupied. Like go through cabinits and closets and chew stuff up and my pig opens the fridge all the time. But we communicate like 2 humans, like a small child who cannot talk yet, they are that smart. They can even have a battle of wits with you and be sneaky too. My pig shares his bed room with us and he goes in there when we go to work or school and he is on a schedual just like a toddler. He isn't in there long though because one of us comes home when the other is leaving and basicly my pig is spoiled rotten. I think a nice way to have the piggies even though you cannot own one is to let your girlfriend go and help at a pig sanctuary. This is very enriching for her and the pigs, and she will do something very special for them, a friendship that they too will remember. I think you made the best choice. Good luck picking out your new Pug.