Target: Tom Vilsack, Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture
Goal: Ban breeding and marketing practices that cause suffering and death of countless teacup pigs.
A pig who was once the pet of social media influencer Logan Paul was discovered in dire condition by a California animal rescue organization. The group posted that the pig, named Pearl, “came to us with tattered ears and a potentially life-threatening infection in her uterus that has since been healed. She’s clearly been through so much trauma that we can’t begin to imagine.” Another deceased pig was found alongside Pearl. Paul claims he had rehomed the animal before she was found abandoned, but the tragedy highlights an increasingly dangerous trend.
Pearl is a so-called teacup pig: a potbellied pig bred and marketed for her small size. Individuals who take in these animals are often falsely led to believe that they will maintain their tiny stature. Supposedly cute photos and videos feed this belief. When the pigs grow to their normal size, however, caretakers are overwhelmed, leading to the type of horrific incident that nearly cost Pearl her life. Worse yet, breeders routinely utilize inhumane practices like malnourishment and inbreeding to stunt the growth of these animals. As a result, the lifespan of teacup pigs on average is half the lifespan of a typical pig.
Sign the petition below to demand the Department of Agriculture crack down on these cruel and deadly breeding practices.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Secretary Vilsack,
The discovery of a badly hurt and suffering teacup pig recently attracted national attention because of the pig’s association with a well-known social media personality. But Pearl’s plight is representative of an all-too-commonplace reality for these exploited animals. Tragically, many are never saved from their lifetime of misery and suffering.
The lives of teacup pigs often end at abandonment and death, but they begin with inhumane breeding and neglectful care. Behind the “cuteness” is a legacy of starvation, inbreeding, and social isolation for these highly social animals. Please be an advocate for these vulnerable living beings.
Work for a ban on the breeding and heinous marketing of this animal cruelty.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Jiri Mikolas
