Pets- News and information about the caring of pets

"It's amazing how a little pig can change the world." No, this isn't a quote from Charlotte's Web. It's a quote from Amy Twyman, executive director of SharonBrooke assisted-living community in Newark, NJ.

Residents at SharonBrooke recently selected a 16-pound teacup pig named Roger to be their pet. And Roger is working wonders.

Roger is reported to have a therapeutic effect on many residents who spend hours with him. He also has a knack for drawing the withdrawn residents out of their rooms.

Teacup pigs like the one in the photo grow to be 25-30 pounds when full-grown, and average around a 20 year lifespan.

Read more from the Newark Advocate.

Image source: dec18girl

Paris Hilton has joined the latest miniature pig craze, paying $4,500 for her own "teacup" pig from a breeder in Oregon, according to TMZ. The animal rights group PETA is not happy about Paris' latest pet acquisition. TMZ states:

PETA has unleashed a brutal attack against Paris Hilton for buying a pet mini-pig recently, claiming she's setting a "wretched example" by treating animals like they're "as disposable as her friends and fiances... The Chihuahuas, ferrets, and kinkajous she's paraded through her home in the past were not accessories, and pot-bellied pigs aren't either."

For more, check out the TMZ story.

Miniature pigs are gaining popularity as domestic pets in England, according to the NY Daily News:

The little piggies weigh just over half a pound at birth and only grow to 12 to 16 inches high, topping out at about 65 pounds - rather svelte in the pig world.

A cross between pot-bellied pigs and other breeds, these pigs are not cheap. One breeder sells pairs of them for $1100 each. As of now, teacup pigs are only sold in Britain.

Image source: CallMePigg

Pet owners don't seem to be spending any less on their pet's food, though they do claim to be cutting back in other areas, including toys and treats. According to the American Pet Products Association, retail sales of pet food grew 4.5% in 2009 to roughly $18 billion. This number is expected to reach $21 billion by 2013.

According to this Denver Post article, Kathy Shmidt says they don't take their miniature schnauzer to the groomer as often to save money, but this hasn't affected food purchases much. "He needs to eat what he's accustomed to."

Pet prices have actually increased lately because of rising costs, but people still seem to be spending on pet nutrition.

Image source: maestrosantana20047

Until recently, there haven't been any standards for pet carriers allowed in carry-on luggage on airlines. Yesterday eight major airlines launched the Guaranteed On-Board Program, "a pet carrier insurance program that will guarantee members full reimbursement of the cost of their air ticket and their pet’s travel expenses if they are ever refused permission to fly."

Participating airlines include:

• American Airlines
• Midwest Airlines
• AirTran
• Continental
• Delta
• Northwest Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Alaska Airlines

The in-cabin carrier sizes approved for the GOB Program are:

• Small: 16 in long x 10 in wide x 8.5 in in height – suitable for pets up to 8 lbs
• Medium: 18 in long x 11 in wide x 10.5 in in height suitable for pets up to 16 lbs
• Large: 20 in long x 11.75 in W x 11.5 in in height suitable for pets up to 22 lbs

For more information, visit the Guaranteed On-Board Program website, put together by the Sherpa Pet Group.

Image source: American Airlines Pics