'The
First Registry
for All Pet Pigs'™
UPPR™,
Inc.
PO Box 60635
Reno, NV 89506
Contact Info
TRAINING ARTICLES | PET PIG ZONING INFO | PIG PICTURES | UPPR™ INFO & GOALS
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'The
First Registry UPPR™,
Inc.
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| MAIN
PAGE | REGISTER YOUR PIG | REGISTRATION
CRITERIA | UPPR™ SHOW INFO | HEALTH
ARTICLES TRAINING ARTICLES | PET PIG ZONING INFO | PIG PICTURES | UPPR™ INFO & GOALS |
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ZONING
AND YOUR PET PIG by Maryann Miller, UPPR™ Zoning Chairperson |
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Potbellied pigs are commonly accepted house pets in this country and around the world, especially since the import into the United States in the early nineteen eighties. Happily they are welcomed as house pets in most places. There remain to this day some places where the keeping of these animals is prohibited by law. In other cities and municipalities the wording of the zoning ordinance is vague, obscure and open to interpretation by the town officials. Often times the officials are against the keeping of pigs as pets despite all proof presented that they are accepted elsewhere and pose no problems to animal control or to the health and well being of the public. Preparation and prevention of zoning mishaps is the responsibility of each potential potbelly pet pig caregiver in advance of bringing their pet home. The first thing that must be done before considering a pig as a pet is to check with the city you live in and inquire about the animal control ordinance on potbelly pigs in residential settings or as house pets. You should document names, dates, and obtain a copy of the ordinance as it is written in the long form. Are there conditions to comply with such as acreage, fencing, spaying or neutering, licensing fees, registry papers, weight limits (not imposed on any breed of dog or cat at this time), number of animals allowed, time spent out of doors, wearing of license tag, inoculations, identification (microchip or tattoo) and housing requirements? You might be lucky and find that the ordinance simply accepts potbellied pigs as commonly kept house pets, they may call them exotic pets, they might require a license fee. Most times the pet pig is simply counted as one of the allowed number of common house pets per family. This must also be done each time you relocate or move with your family and pets. Finding a community receptive to pet pigs is important. For this task enlist the aid of relocation companies, real estate professionals and other pet pig owners in that area. Fortunately there are far more places that welcome pigs as pets than forbid them. Luckily too, most are in urban areas, major cities, and other desirable people type places. In all cases I am addressing the needs of the family house pet pig and not those who choose to rescue, board or house more than one or two pet pigs and share their homes and lives with them. The number of animals and the manner in which they can safely be housed necessitates housing other than shared people housing. Out buildings, barns, coops as well as adequate acreage and fencing would than be a consideration for people wanting to house a number of animals out of doors. A rural location generally would be needed although many residential properties have "horse privileges" and permit the keeping of animals while in close proximity to other homes and in a residential setting. However just because a place is in the country and has acreage do not assume that pet pigs, even one, would be welcome. |
It is always necessary to check with town hall whether it is one pig and one house or one pig and plenty of acreage or even a dozen pigs. Home Rule is a very strong issue and zoning can be an emotional matter for old timer town officials who view pigs as less than welcome and certainly not worthy of pet status in their opinion. As a house pet pig person I can only address the needs of the same and relate experiences in single family home, condo, town house, house boat, apartments and with community associations and deed restricted properties. The second line of defense in protecting your pet is to register him or her with a pet only pig registry such as United Pet Pig Registry™. Often times the simple presentation of this certificate assures the town officials that you are truly a responsible pet pig caregiver and your pet is cherished and not a public nuisance or health risk to the community. Many pet pigs have safely and happily lived with their caregivers for many years until almost by accident their presence is reported by a disgruntled neighbor or city employee. This is the worse type of loss for the pet pig, to be forced out of the only home he has ever known and to be removed from his people. In some cases the pet pig certificate from UPPR™ is enough to satisfy the town that pigs are indeed commonly kept house pets and they simply count them in with the number of other pets in the household at that time. In other instances if the town is opposed to the keeping of pigs as pets in residential settings, trying to prove after the fact is a very difficult undertaking. Understand that if zoning forbids the keeping of pigs in residential settings to be in noncompliance forces the town into an adversarial position to enforce their own codes. Most times this is a no win situation for the pet pig and the homeowner. All the proof
in the world of the pet's status is not enough to change the facts at
that late time. All the pet pig person can do is try to work within the
system if the issue is noncompliance and hope that the officials are reasonable
and receptive and perhaps either "grandfather" their pet in
or issue a variance. A responsible pet pig caregiver must do what ever is necessary in advance to prevent both themselves and their pet from getting into such a situation. The best approach is to be prepared before bringing a pet pig into your life. By doing this many tragic and traumatic zoning issues can be prevented. A responsible pet pig caregiver will research before bringing a pet home as well on subsequent moves to new locations in the future. Maryann Miller
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