skinny pigs in rescue

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breeze

breeze

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ok probably a random question but do rescues ever get skinny pigs in?iv always dreamed of owning one but i refuse to pay the stupid amount people ask when i could pay that amount to a rescue if one was available?
 
Skinny pigs are basically hairless guinea pigs :)

They do go into the rescues they just aren't as common :)
 
Skinny pigs are basically hairless guinea pigs :)

They do go into the rescues they just aren't as common :)
 
I feel sorry for the poor little things. They're very inbred and they're not bred that way for the benefit of the piggie. And I can't see that you wouldn't be allergic to hay if you were allergic to piggie fur, so it's cruelty.

Paula
 
paulag said:
I feel sorry for the poor little things. They're very inbred and they're not bred that way for the benefit of the piggie. And I can't see that you wouldn't be allergic to hay if you were allergic to piggie fur, so it's cruelty.

Paula
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Skinny pigs do still have some hair, but speaking as someone who IS allergic to guinea pig fur (and just about every other animal - furry and non furry!), its more often the skin cells that cause the allergic reaction, rather than the actual fur. I'm equally as allergic to hairless guinea pigs and hairless cats and hairless dogs as I am to the fully furred ones, as are most other animal-allergy sufferers, so the whole allergy argument is a bit lost on me to be honest!

Not sure about other allergy sufferers, but I'm also allergic to their saliva too!
 
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paulag said:
They're very inbred and they're not bred that way for the benefit of the piggie.

Paula
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That is a common misconception - Today's Skinny pigs are no more inbred than other breeds of cavy, healthy, and continuing to thrive under the supervision of experienced, and knowledgeable individuals!
 
breeze said:
ok probably a random question but do rescues ever get skinny pigs in?iv always dreamed of owning one but i refuse to pay the stupid amount people ask when i could pay that amount to a rescue if one was available?
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My skinny pig Willow(RIP) was from a rescue. It seems to be very uncommon to find skinny pigs in a rescue though.

amberannielola said:
excuse my ignorance cos I'm new but whats a skinny pig
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Someone else already explained, but have a look at my avatar picture for a visual on what a skinny pig looks like :)
 
Guinea-pigGaga said:
That is a common misconception - Today's Skinny pigs are no more inbred than other breeds of cavy, healthy, and continuing to thrive under the supervision of experienced, and knowledgeable individuals!
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Do you have experience with skinny pigs? What are your thoughts on the prevalence of oedema or the early deaths often associated with gut problems? I can send you some links for info so you can investigate further if you are interested. It would be good to get another perspective as I do not have the time for indepth analysis as I have the rescue to run.

Suzy x
 
I have been researching Skinny pigs for a number of years, am very much aware of associated health concerns, and would be very happy to read any information you have available on the breed, Suzy! ;)
 
Going back to the original question, they very occassionally turn up in rescues. Being held onto by some rescues who think that everyone else would exploit the pigs in question. Sadly due to the inflated prices some are exploited that's true but one thing rescue work has taught me is that ALL pigs are at risk of exploitation and some of the places I have seen many many hairy pigs are exploited for money and kept in overcrowded filthy conditions with inadequate food and no medical treatment given for conditions. I have only ever witnesses one exploitation of skinnies which was no where near as bad as the hairy ones I have been in - but it still wasnt right.

I think you would be very unlikely to find one in a rescue.

As for inbreeding - again I have seen so many inbred pigs and been in many situations where 2 hairy pigs have become 60, totally inbred pigs. I have one here who is a complete mess having been inbred to get certain ears and nose for showing - a hairy pig who has suffered her whole life.

As guinea pig gaga has stated the majority of skinny pigs being bred around the UK are strong, NOT inbred and the breed has moved on hugely from the genetic mess it was when they first came about - I for one am grateful for that.
 
Lisajazz said:
As guinea pig gaga has stated the majority of skinny pigs being bred around the UK are strong, NOT inbred and the breed has moved on hugely from the genetic mess it was when they first came about - I for one am grateful for that.
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As am I - I have witnessed the incredible transformation of this breed over the last several years, and am absolutely amazed by the progress that has been made by a handful of dedicated individuals! However, I will not deny that I fear for the breed's future!
 
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