I do agree that there is a pet-overpopulation problem. However, it is my opinion that PEOPLE should be more educated before they choose to buy or adopt ANY type of pet, including
GP's. If more people did their research, didn't give in to whiny kids, and didn't have such a disposable mentality, then
GP's could be purchased from pet stores, less would be dumped on shelters or rescues, less would be euthanized and so on. It would also help if there weren't tons of people who allow their
GP's to accidently breed and so on.
I may be wrong in this, but if every pet store ceased to stop sellling
GP's then what?? You could only adopt?? Well that would be great except without the pets coming from the pet-stores in the first place, then there wouldn't be any to adopt either (unless the rescues got their pigs from hoarders or small time breeders. Either way, the pigs won't be coming from a reputable place). One depends on the other. Should only a select few people be licensed to sell
GP with a spay/nueter contract?? How much would these rare
GP's cost?? Could a person get a wide array of colors/breeds/patterns?
I personally would rather get a baby
GP from a well-established pet-store with a health guarentee then from some "farmer" selling
GP's from his back-yard or from a flea-market or wherever (which is what would happen if all pet stores were banned from selling small animals) you would only see an increase in "hobby" breeders and still pigs would be over-bred.
There isn't a clear-cut answer. I believe it is the responsibility of the INDIVDUAL to educate themselves and not to breed for fun or dump a pig at the first inconvience. ALL of those things lead to pig overpopulation issues.
Where people GET an animal should be a choice. Otherwise
GP's will cost WAY MORE than most people would be willing to pay for an animal that lives 3-7 years at best.
I will step down now. I am not here to change your minds. I just think that other readers *might* want to here the "other side".