'Ride them like a horse': Dismayed buyers surrendering 'teacup' pigs weighing up to 300kg
By
James Paras
, ABC News
The RSPCA says some breeds of pig can grow as large as 300kg.
Photo:
ABC / James Paras
Q: What do "teacup" pigs and unicorns have in common? A: Neither exist, even if we really want them to.
Teacup pigs are promoted as perfect for kids and suburban homes. But these little pets can become a big problem, as Tayla Anderson knows all too well.
Anderson admits she may have naively bought into the mini-pig fallacy when her mother surprised her with two piglets. She said they were told the pigs would stay miniature for their whole lives.
"We never owned pigs before but we assumed we were being told the truth … we didn't know any better," Anderson said.
"They grew to about thigh height, and I could almost ride them like a horse."
Anderson said it was lucky she lived on a small farm in Victoria at the time and was able to give her bigger-than-expected pigs a home.
"I've been to a lot of properties and I've never seen a small pig," she said.
University of Queensland pig health expert Dakota Leschke, who works with large animals on farms and sanctuaries, said he regularly heard from owners who thought they had bought a miniature pig.
"Mini pigs are an umbrella term and they are generally smaller than a commercial pig," Leschke said.
"The smallest pig I have ever seen is 100 kilograms, but I have seen mini pigs up to 250kg.
"Teacup pigs are more of a myth, not everything is truthful online."
RSPCA senior manager of animal care Georgie Casper said miniature pigs were not a recognised breed in Australia.
"A commercial pig, for example, will reach about 250-300kg, but that won't happen for four to five years," she said.
Kathy Anderson, who is not related to Tayla, has more than 120 pigs on her rural property, just outside Tenterfield in North West NSW.
The Contented Pig Inn has become a haven for pigs of all shapes and sizes. Some arrived sick or injured, others had nowhere else to go.
Anderson said some owners surrendered their pets after what they thought was a tiny pig turned into a 300kg hog.
"We have had incidences of kids who wanted pigs, they're sold a piglet and then they are surrendered because the parents freaked out," she said.
"I don't know what the thought process is. There are breeds of dogs like little terriers that stay small, but that's not pigs."
Belly was sold as a mini pig but ended up at Anderson's property after its owners realised they were drastically unprepared.
"She was so skeletal, she was in pain, so thin," she said.
"Belly was kept on an odd diet to keep her small, probably chicken feed.
"Breeders do that to keep the pigs small."
Belly now weighs in at 200kg.
Kathy says Belly was sold as a miniature pig but is now close to 200kg.
Photo:
ABC / James Paras
South Australian pig breeders Rachel and Joel Redford said they were approached regularly by buyers looking for teacup pigs.
"Teacup pigs are completely false, the term shouldn't be used," Rachel said.
"We constantly turn people away who want to have a pig for their apartment."
Despite the breed not being recognised in Australia, the Redfords do advertise miniature pigs for sale.
Rachel said 15to 20 years of breeding had allowed them to produce a pig that might only grow to weigh 70kg.
"These pigs have been chosen for their characteristics," she said. "Some of them are 30-centimetres tall. We don't feel there are many reputable local breeders."
RSPCA NSW said its inspector had not reported any major issues from pig owners recently.
But Casper said misinformation about pigs was common.
"You need to understand what their needs are," she said. "They are very sensitive, intelligent and curious animals. If you're interested in owning a pig, you need to be able to provide them with adequate nutrition, shelter, transportation [and] veterinary care."
According to the NSW DPI, keeping pigs - including free-range pigs - is classified as intensive livestock agriculture and is prohibited in some land-use zones.
-
ABC News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
'Ride them like a horse': Dismayed buyers surrendering 'teacup' pigs weighing up to 300kg
By James Paras , ABC News The RSPCA says some breeds of pig can grow as large as 300kg. Photo: ABC / James Paras Q: What do "teacup" pigs and unicorns have in common? A: Neither exist, even if we really want them to. Teacup pigs are promoted as perfect for kids and suburban homes. But these little pets can become a big problem, as Tayla Anderson knows all too well. Anderson admits she may have naively bought into the mini-pig fallacy when her mother surprised her with two piglets. She said they were told the pigs would stay miniature for their whole lives. "We never owned pigs before but we assumed we were being told the truth … we didn't know any better," Anderson said. "They grew to about thigh height, and I could almost ride them like a horse." Anderson said it was lucky she lived on a small farm in Victoria at the time and was able to give her bigger-than-expected pigs a home. "I've been to a lot of properties and I've never seen a small pig," she said. University of Queensland pig health expert Dakota Leschke, who works with large animals on farms and sanctuaries, said he regularly heard from owners who thought they had bought a miniature pig. "Mini pigs are an umbrella term and they are generally smaller than a commercial pig," Leschke said. "The smallest pig I have ever seen is 100 kilograms, but I have seen mini pigs up to 250kg. "Teacup pigs are more of a myth, not everything is truthful online." RSPCA senior manager of animal care Georgie Casper said miniature pigs were not a recognised breed in Australia. "A commercial pig, for example, will reach about 250-300kg, but that won't happen for four to five years," she said. Kathy Anderson, who is not related to Tayla, has more than 120 pigs on her rural property, just outside Tenterfield in North West NSW. The Contented Pig Inn has become a haven for pigs of all shapes and sizes. Some arrived sick or injured, others had nowhere else to go. Anderson said some owners surrendered their pets after what they thought was a tiny pig turned into a 300kg hog. "We have had incidences of kids who wanted pigs, they're sold a piglet and then they are surrendered because the parents freaked out," she said. "I don't know what the thought process is. There are breeds of dogs like little terriers that stay small, but that's not pigs." Belly was sold as a mini pig but ended up at Anderson's property after its owners realised they were drastically unprepared. "She was so skeletal, she was in pain, so thin," she said. "Belly was kept on an odd diet to keep her small, probably chicken feed. "Breeders do that to keep the pigs small." Belly now weighs in at 200kg. Kathy says Belly was sold as a miniature pig but is now close to 200kg. Photo: ABC / James Paras South Australian pig breeders Rachel and Joel Redford said they were approached regularly by buyers looking for teacup pigs. "Teacup pigs are completely false, the term shouldn't be used," Rachel said. "We constantly turn people away who want to have a pig for their apartment." Despite the breed not being recognised in Australia, the Redfords do advertise miniature pigs for sale. Rachel said 15to 20 years of breeding had allowed them to produce a pig that might only grow to weigh 70kg. "These pigs have been chosen for their characteristics," she said. "Some of them are 30-centimetres tall. We don't feel there are many reputable local breeders." RSPCA NSW said its inspector had not reported any major issues from pig owners recently. But Casper said misinformation about pigs was common. "You need to understand what their needs are," she said. "They are very sensitive, intelligent and curious animals. If you're interested in owning a pig, you need to be able to provide them with adequate nutrition, shelter, transportation [and] veterinary care." According to the NSW DPI, keeping pigs - including free-range pigs - is classified as intensive livestock agriculture and is prohibited in some land-use zones. - ABC News
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Covid-19 isolation and testing rules in 2025: What you need to know
Do you still have to isolate if you get Covid? Photo: FANATIC STUDIO / SCIENCE PHOTO L Explainer - We know, nobody wants to think about Covid these days if you can help it. However, it's still out there, and a recent surge in cases and a persistent new variant are driving a new wave of concern. We're a long way from lockdowns and mandates, but are you still required to isolate and how can you do testing? RNZ is here with what you need to know. Nope, and with winter weather and influenza as well, it's a good time to remember how to take a few precautions for yourself and others. There has been a sharp jump in Covid and other respiratory infections including influenza in the past few weeks. Yet another new variant, NB.1.8.1, has also developed and become the dominant strain in Asia and is rising quickly in Australia and New Zealand. It has been about a year since the last large wave of Covid cases, and University of Otago epidemiologist Dr Amanda Kvalsvig said many people have become complacent. "To those of us watching the Covid evidence closely, it's clear that NZ is under-reacting to this virus and unprepared for a winter wave," she said. It is still strongly recommended to isolate for at least five days if you test positive, even if your symptoms are mild. "This is to prevent spreading Covid-19 to other people," Health New Zealand says . "You would start your isolation at Day 0 - this is the day your symptoms started or when you tested positive, whichever came first." University of Otago epidemiologist Dr Amanda Kvalsvig. Photo: Amanda Kvalsvig Dr Kvalsvig said a New Zealand study in 2023 estimated that even with a five-day isolation period, around two in five people were still potentially infectious at the end of that time. "So five days of isolation is really an absolute minimum. To protect those around us, we should all take extra precautions for a few more days, such as wearing a mask and delaying visiting friends and family members who might be vulnerable." All legal mandates to isolate were dropped in 2023 , but there are still strong recommendations in place. "I do think people are less cautious now regarding the Covid-19 virus," said Dr Joan Ingram, medical advisor at the University of Auckland's Immunisation Advisory Centre. "To an extent that is to be expected now that most of us have some hybrid immunity from both immunisations and previous infection with the virus." Still, Covid remains a serious illness for many, she said. "So it is sensible and considerate for those with Covid-19 to stay away from others, especially for the first few days of the illness when they are more likely to spread the virus." "When I have Covid-19, I stay in a room away from others and stay home until my tests are negative. "We also need to recommend this for other respiratory infections, such as influenza. Think of others and keep your infections away from others if possible. Going to crowded, poorly ventilated settings when you are coughing and sneezing is unhelpful and inconsiderate. Consistently wear a mask if you do have to be near others." RAT tests are no longer free but still widely available. Photo: AFP You do not need a negative RAT result to return to work or school, but use common sense and talk with your employer before rocking up sneezing and coughing. "Employers should support employees to isolate in line with health guidance," Employment New Zealand says . "Asking a worker to come to work while sick could put the health of other workers at risk, and result in further disruption." For many families who are struggling, staying away from work may be difficult but a good employer can help, Dr Kvalsvig said. "Employers that ensure good indoor air quality, provide test kits for their employees, and support staying home when sick are likely to see multiple benefits with reduced levels of sickness absence and Long Covid." The Covid-19 leave support scheme, which helped employers pay employees who had to self-isolate due to the virus, ended in August 2023 . "Many still aren't well enough to be at work or school when their five-day isolation period is over," Dr Kvalsvig said. "Resting well is an important part of recovery from Covid and it would be good to see employers and schools supporting people to take an appropriate amount of sickness absence." Unfortunately, free rapid antigen tests (RATs) provided by the government ended in September 2024 . The typical cost of a RAT test is around $5, or multipacks of 5 can be had for under $20 at pharmacies and other markets. When the free tests were dropped there were concerns the move would hit low-income people harder. Many people may still have stockpiles of expired RAT tests in their cupboard. Ingram said it is best to get an unexpired test, but one can check the American FDA's website for an idea of the total shelf life of certain tests. Photo: Supplied / ESR Reported case numbers dropped starting in 2022 and "it's never really recovered," Dr Kvalsvig said. "Unfortunately, people were not testing or reporting much even when RAT tests were free," Dr Ingram said. "It would be good if they were still freely available, but I am not sure how much it would change the reporting." However, wastewater testing by crown research institute ESR has shown a large leap in SARS-CoV-2 traces in recent months. Its figures show a dramatic rise in the past month in wastewater testing samples compared to reported case numbers. The Auckland region shows an even more dramatic spike in wastewater levels. Photo: Supplied / ESR "Wastewater levels are currently the best indicator we have of community cases," Dr Kvalsvig said. "We're very lucky that the team at ESR are providing this vital information and there's a huge amount of hard work going on behind the scenes to analyse the variants and make sense of the data. We would be in a very difficult situation without this information, with no early warning of Covid waves and no idea about what variants might be spreading." New Zealand still needs more community-driven reporting, such as the Well Kiwis studies, she said. You can still report your own RAT test results through . Yes, Covid vaccines are available free for everyone aged 5 and over. However, if you've already had a vaccine and booster, as most people have by now, generally only those over age 30 are able to get multiple boosters, at least 6 months apart. Younger people can get additional doses if they are at risk of severe illness - see Health NZ's website for the full rundown. Influenza also remains a big concern and people should get their annual vaccinations, Dr Ingram said. "The US had more influenza hospitalisations over their recent winter than they have had since the 2010-2011 season, so I urge all people (including children) to have an influenza immunisation even if they are healthy." Flu vaccines are free for people aged 65 and over , pregnant women and those with some pre-existing conditions. Otherwise the vaccine runs between $25 to $45, Health NZ says. Covid is likely here to stay in some form, epidemiologists have said. But as always, the disease remains changing. "Covid is more manageable now and we have better strategies and tools in the toolbox: we just need to use them," Dr Kvalsvig said. "Aside from staying home when sick, clean indoor air and good quality masks are highly effective protections that NZ has been really slow to pick up. Once we do, we'll never want to go back to the same level of sickness we experience each winter." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Sunscreens fail to meet SPF claims
business health 27 minutes ago Research out of Australia has revealed that 16 out of 20 sunscreens, many of them sold in New Zealand, do not meet their SPF claims. One product, which sells in New Zealad for around 50 dollars, claimed to provide SPF 50 protection, but was found to have an SPF of just four. Aussie consumer group Choice tested 20 sunscreen products from household brands, including Banana Boat, Nivea and Neutrogena. Their research tallies with previous testing carried out by Consumer NZ. Consumer NZ research writer Belinda Castles spoke to Lisa Owen.
