A question of guilt

ohbrazil · #1 08-20-06, 06:47 pm

I understand the pro-adoption stance, and I have gone that way in the past. However, right now I have my heart set on finding myself a Skinny Pig. I've searched, and I cannot find any avalible in rescues or adoptions, or even classified ads. Is it a bad idea to buy one from a Skinny Pig breeder? Should I really feel guilty? Am I bad for wanting a specific type, rather than just adopting any pig from a shelter? I find all breeds adorable, but right now I am really wanting this one particular type. I don't know if I should just wait, hoping that someday I see one at a shelter and am able to jump on the chance? Feed back is appreciated, feel free to flame me for considering even purchasing a Skinny Pig.

**PiggieMom** · #2 08-20-06, 07:01 pm

I know what it's like to want a specific breed. But please don't purchase one! There are so many other pigs that need a home. Skinny pig breeders are, in my opinion, the worst. Skinnies were bred to be hairless so they could test certain skin products on them in labs. Because of this they have many health issues. They are frail and weak. Right now they are a fad, but once people have moved on to the next "cool" pet there will be hundreds in the shelters.

Instead open your heart to another homeless cavy, and keep your eye open on the rescue scene. If you were meant to have a skinny one will show up eventually. Look in a wider area too. Sometimes pippy trains can be set up across several states. I adopted three pigs from Canada, over seven hours from me.

**nonamian_girl** · #3 08-20-06, 07:03 pm

First of all, I would reccomend doing a lot of research. Skinny pigs are more delicate than regular pigs and have weaker immune systems, therefore can be harder to care for.

To answer your question, yes you should feel guilty if you go to a breeder. You would be fulfilling a selfish desire and ignore the thousands of regular pigs needing homes, AND continuing the horrible breeding cycle.

Your best bet would be to contact all shelters around you and asked to be put on a list in case a skinny comes in. Or, you can find one from another part of the country and see if you could arrange a piggy train.

Whatever you do, please stay away from breeders and pet stores.

ohbrazil · #4 08-20-06, 07:09 pm

I hadn't realized that they were fads, and most things I had read said they have been bred to be healthy and significantly improved imune systems through the generations, thanks for the heads up though. I'll just keep looking for adoptions, but I've always had a thing for hairless animals.

**CavySpirit** · #5 08-20-06, 07:09 pm

I hope you search this forum and especially GuineaLynx.info/forums and read ALL threads on skinnies. I hope you've got a lot of money to spend on vet bills. Getting this poor excuse of a gene pool animal directly from a breeder is pretty much criminal in my opinion. That's the short, cold truth in my book.

**CavySpirit** · #6 08-20-06, 07:10 pm

Sorry, we posted at the same time.

**salana** · #7 08-20-06, 07:31 pm

I think you need to reflect on why you want a Skinny pig, armed with the information from GL about their terrible immune systems and physical problems. What is the appeal of that breed in particular?

ohbrazil · #8 08-20-06, 07:44 pm

The appeal is purely aesthetic. I guess I am not fully aware of all the health problems. The general consensus from people I've talked to with Skinny Pigs is that the health problems aren't really there, that the immune deficincies have been bred out. Is this a HOUSE OF LIES??? I'll go check out GL.

**nonamian_girl** · #9 08-20-06, 07:53 pm

Well, if you're talking to breeders or people who associate with breeders, they'll only tell you what you want to hear or what they want you to think so that you support their twisted operation.

**PiggieMom** · #10 08-20-06, 07:59 pm

From the few people I have spoken to on GL and here skinnies have many health problems. Please do read about them on these two boards. It's very sad. The breeders are never going to discredit their "product".

ohbrazil · #11 08-20-06, 08:13 pm

Okay I guess you all talked me out of buying one, but if I see one at the shelter I am still going to adopt it. Thank you for the information though, I guess I should have been more skeptical. Breeders are all selling them for $65 + so I can see why you call it "criminal".

**Jennicat** · #12 08-20-06, 09:22 pm

Skinnies are a popular breed for breeders because they're "rare" and they can get a lot of money for them. Poor little skinny pigs. They do have a slew of health problems. I'm glad you decided against buying from a breeder! Keep an eye on petfinder, they do show up occasionally!

**PiggieMom** · #13 08-20-06, 09:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ohbrazil

Breeders are all selling them for $65 + so I can see why you call it "criminal".

It's not the price their charging that is criminal, it's their contribution to the overpopulation problem and the death of many homeless animals.

**fairysari** · #14 08-20-06, 09:48 pm

Where there are skinnies for sale, there will be skinnies in shelters.

I bought my first one from a pet store before I found this site. I would never buy from a pet store again. When I did find this site, after having my boar treated for a URI, I decided to adopt a second pig as a buddy, and went to the Toronto Humane Society. I filled out the adoption application, but they did not have a single boar up for adoption, so I left my phone number and email address, and asked if they would let me know if they got a single boar. A week or so later, I got an email from them, and they had a skinny boar for me - and I hadn't even mentioned skinnies ot them at all. It worked out well. So basically, I agree with PiggieMom, if you are meant to have a skinny, it will happen. It may take time, but you will feel so much better knowing that you saved a life rather than dooming more pigs to suffering.

**Sabriel** · #15 08-20-06, 10:40 pm

No matter what anyone tells you common sense would dictate that if you breed something that should have fur without it that the poor creature will have issues.

Besides being sensitive to respitory illnesses and melonoma (not found in furry pigs) the fact that they have sensitive skin exposed to the elements would cause problems. Scrapes and scratches happen often. Not to mention the psychological factor. They know they are different. The other pigs know they are different, and unless the pig is young enough to get past that you are in for some interesting introductions. I am not the only skinny owner I know to experience this.

Please don't support the skinny pig breaders. They will stop at nothing to make a buck. My poor Lina was shipped across the country to her previous owner. And here I get all antsy taking her across the city to see the vet!

**CavyKind** · #16 08-21-06, 05:26 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennicat

Skinnies are a popular breed for breeders because they're "rare" and they can get a lot of money for them.

Yes, it appears many of the UK backyard breeders are clamouring for them. You can almost see the £ signs in the messages they post saying how much thery would love a "skinny pig" or two. Horrrible.

**suzilovespiggie** · #17 08-21-06, 12:50 pm

My daughter was given a pair of skinny rats. One died at 6mths the other a year. We were in and out of the vets all the time for resperitory illness's. They were on meds more than they were off meds. We couldn't house them with the other rats as the other rats hurt them. She loved those rats but was heartbroken over their early deaths.
Please adopt. If you find a skinny in a shelter by all means adopt him/her.
Where they are being sold, they will show up in a shelter.

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