I did talk to the lady who wanted to get and breed pigs, over IM. We started out somewhat adversarial, but I told her I wanted to make sure she wouldn't breed lethals. She's actually a decent pet owner, willing to research before she even gets pigs, and keep them in a good environment--large cage or free range, with a good diet, and a good vet available. I explained that guinea pig pregnancy is probably completely different from sugar glider pregnancy, since SGs are marsupials and have very small babies which they pop in their pouches, while as we all know, guinea pigs have a long pregnancy with huge babies. I asked if her vet was experienced at doing C-sections, which she might well need, and she said she didn't know and would make sure to get one before she started breeding. I am, of course, trying to get her to delay the start of breeding indefinitely
I think she's misinformed somewhat about breeder pigs. She seems to think that some breeders breed for health and/or lack of inherited problems (cancer, tendency towards cysts, bladder stone/sludge problems) and she was at least receptive to my mentioning those as having a genetic basis, unlike the moron on LJ who called me a Nazi for opposing the breeding and gassing of lethals. I pointed out that pigs from breeders are no more genetically healthy than pigs from rescues, and pigs from rescues are already treated for parasites and acute conditions like URIs, and bonded in non-breeding pairs. She wanted pigs without genetic problems because she thought she should deal with healthy pigs first, because it would be unfair for a newbie like her to try to handle a pig with problems. I think I may be able to sway her by pointing out that pregnancy is stressful and dangerous and it would be better for a newbie like her to have non-breeding pigs as her first pigs.
So, I'm hopeful that I can get somewhere with her. She has a lot of misconceptions (especially the "fulfillment" thing) but hopefully I can get her past those. Or even if she doesn't let go of that, maybe I can get her to just keep boars who can get all the "fulfillment" they might ever need by nannying baby boars.
02-26-05, 02:21 pm
The moderators apparently considered that a "personal attack" on the person I was replying to. 
