Frequently Asked Questions &
What you need to Know!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the deposit and how long is it good for?
Deposit is $200 nonrefundable to reserve a pig, this deposit is taken off the price of the pig. We can not hold a pig without a deposit. If you place a deposit on a future pig it is good for 2 years. Full payment of the pig must be made before they leave our property.
What is the shipping costs and what does that include?
Shipping costs between $450 and $500 for one pig under 10 lbs, depending on what airline must be used. This costs covers tattooing, bloodwork, vet visits, health certificate, crate, airfare, and travel.
What shots does the pig come with?
The pig will not come with any shots. It is important that you check with your local vet about any shots that they would recommend for your area. We are not located in a hogging area so there are little to no diseases that our pigs could be exposed to and therefore our vet does not recommend us giving our piggies unneccessary shots. If you live in a hogging area or your vet knows of any pig diseases in the area then I would recommend having your vet give them just the needed precautionary shots.
Are the pigs healthy?
Yes, we care to much about our reputation as a pig breeder to scar our name. Plus we pride ourselves as being breeders with integrity. If something were to happen to your pig down the road and the necropsy shows that it was bad breeding or genetics then we will take responsibility for that, but we would have to have a copy of the necropsy report. Also if being shipped then the pig will come with a health certificate stating that the pig was seen by a vet and deemed healthy. We also recommend that you take your pig to see your own vet, this allows you to have a 2nd opinion and it establishes a relationship with your vet.
Are your pigs Registered?
Our pigs are registered with the MPR (Miniature Pig Registry). If you Desire to get papers with your pig then those can be provided. Although Pet papers and breeder papers are different. When getting your paper they generally come after you have gotten your pig because your pig's name will go on his/her papers and will be registered as such. Once these papers have been sent out the name of your pig cannot change. For more information on MPR please visit www.miniaturepigregistry.com
What books would you recommend for potential potbelly pig owners?
When you purchase a pot-belly pig from us you will get a book with your pig.
The book that we send out is called "Pot Bellies and Other Miniature Pigs (Complete pet owners Manual)" By Pat Storer. If you would like to purchase this book ahead of time then there would be a $5 shipping charge.
Miniature Pigs (Complete pet owners Manual)" By Pat Storer. If you would like to purchase this book ahead of time then there would be a $5 shipping charge.The other book we highly recommend is "Potbellied Pig (Behavior and Training)" by Priscilla Valentine. This book is recommended for training and for dealing with any training problems that may arise. This book is sold separately from the pig, including shipping this book is $25.WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Paradise Piggys has a long history of selective breeding for color, size, disposition, and genetics. The original small pigs came from the lines of the potbelly. With all the new hype of mini pigs as pets there is a lot of confusion and misunderstandings surrounding the miniature pig. With new hype and fad terms appearing continually in the internet world we want to help clarify and help you sift through myths and facts!
As a breeder and owner of mini pigs and potbelly pigs for over 20 years, I am able to share the history and help you sort through facts verses myths that have appeared over time.
It all started with the Potbelly Pig and Juliana pig.
Juliana: There is still some confusion as to where the original term and or Juliana pig came from. The only established fact is that they were spotted and smaller then hogs (but there is no set information on exact size except they were supposed to be under 100lbs) Now the term seems to apply to any spotted or red tinted pig with longer snouts, longer legs, and a lighter body frame.
Potbellies: The history of the Miniature Vietnamese Potbelly is much more clear. They were imported and were a very expensive rare pig in the 80's. These pigs had a classic potbelly, short snout, wider frame. The original ones were small (I can vouch for this personally as a breeder of the original potbellies) . Then unscrupulous breeders started crossing potbellies and that is when the scare came. Around the same time more potbellies were imported that were a bit larger and a couple other shipments of potbellies came in that were a bit more distinct in that some had longer fur then others and some longer snouts. The once highly sought after pet pig was now being dumped into rescues and Potbellies were now left with the label as being very large and not a good pet pig and the market became flooded with cross pigs from breeders taking advantage of the market. During this time the original potbelly pig registry was started (which has since closed down ), but it was a little to late. Bad breeders and negative hype caused the Vietnamese Potbelly Pig to loose its reputation. People were then afraid to buy mini pigs. During all this time our farm continued to focus on breeding for a small, healthy, pet pig. Then the term teacup pig appeared on the scene and soon after micros, pixie, toy, etc. All simply terms for mini pigs. The reality is these were all just fad names for small pigs varying in size from 20 lbs to 100 lbs.
There is no standard or accountability for these different terms standing on their own. Buyers are left to sift through whose opinion they like the most. The problem with this is their is very little accountability to bloodlines, size and reputable breeders. That is why Paradise Pigs (also know as Paradise Valley Farms) started a registry over 15 years ago. This is simply to help keep breeders accountable to what they are selling and to ensure buyers that they are getting what they are paying for. We highly recommend buying piglets registered with www.miniaturepigregistry.com. This registry requires vet records on height and size of parent pigs. All pedigree is entered so one can look and tract bloodlines and make sure their is no inbreeding going on. While it is true that very few breeders actually use this registry, It doesn't change my opinion that a registry is vital to the future of the miniature pig.
Right now I am amazed at all the new breeders that have popped up all over. Since people buying the pigs don't seem to be worried about registered pigs, breeders have no reason to register their pig but soon if the amount of piggys going out from unscrupulous breeders doesn't change, their is going to be a influx of pigs again needing homes because their is no accountability to size, health and personality of pigs without them being registered. I would encourage buyers to only buy registered. Even if you do not use the above registry , find a registry that can prove size and pedigree of the piggy you are purchasing.
Here at paradise mini pigs, we do not get caught up into terms, instead on our FOR SALE page you will notice the size of the parents is listed, you can also at any time request pedigree and when you purchase your pig you can request registry papers that have both parents info on there so that there is no confusion as to size and bloodline.
Yes, it is true that pigs will eat as much as you put in front of them so a pig that genetically should only be 20lbs CAN get up to 100lbs and be all fat rolls. This is unhealthy BUT it is also unhealthy to have a pig that should be nice and round and limit its food so that it is slimmer looking and weighs less. Weight of a pig is NOT the whole story when trying to figure out size of the pig.
We encourage buyers to come look at our pigs here at the farm! Come see for yourself! This is one sure way to know what you are getting. I realize this is not always possible. If not make sure to take a look at pictures of adults and babies. Pictures can be misleading at times as piggys can grow for up to 4 years.
We provide references: Always buy from breeders that provide references and testimonials. This will help ensure that you are buying from a reputable breeder not just someone who is smart and talented with creating a good website.
BEWARE.. It is a new fad to create very nice websites and not be a legit or a reputable breeder. Anyone can create a website and many pictures and blurbs are stolen and/ or copy and pasted from other legit breeder pages. I would encourage buying only from an established breeder. One with either a history in selective breeding OR a breeding that invested in registered pigs that have a history in selective breeding.
POLICIES AND PURCHASE CONTRACT INFORMATION
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS:
- A $200.00 non-refundable deposit is received, by means of credit card or check within 3-5 business days to ensure the selection order and adoption of a pig(s). The remainder of the total is due at least 10 days before scheduling a flight. If picking up in person, the remainder must be paid in cash or credit card (3% is paying with card, we can only accept Visa or Mastercard). Please make all Checks, Money Orders, and Cashier's Checks out to Paradise Valley Farm.
- If you place a deposit on a particular piglet or apply your deposit to a specific piglet and then decide to change to a different piglet, then a portion of your deposit will be forfeited. If the piglet is 4 weeks old or older then the entire deposit is forfeited.
- The cost for the veterinarian examination, health paper, and shipping, as well as other incidental expenses relating to the purchase and shipping of the pig(s) is at the Buyer’s expense.
- Once an aninal is reserved with a deposit.. If the animal is ready to go, it must be picked up within 10 days of the deposit.
If the animal is not weaned, the animal MUST be picked up within 1 week of the date the animal is ready to go!
ADDITIONAL BOARDING FEES WILL BE APPLIED IF THE ANIMAL IS NOT PICKED UP or able to be shipped out DURING THIS TIME!
- If for any reason you are unable to keep an animal that has been purchased we can take the animal back within the first 2 weeks after purchase, however there are no refunds on returned pets. If it is later than 2 weeks please contact us and if we can't take the animal back we will try to help you find an appropriate forever home.
SELLER GUARANTEES:
-To provide a pig(s) that is healthy.
-To provide a pig(s) that is healthy for up to five days from the date of shipment. At the option and expense of the Buyer, an examination by a licensed veterinarian of Buyer's choice can be made during this guarantee time. Should the licensed Veterinarian certify in writing that the pig(s) is unhealthy an evaluation will be made by the Seller to either pay the Veterinarian fees related to healing the pig(s) or to replace the pig(s) with a pig(s) of equal value. All travel costs related to the replacement of the guaranteed pig(s) are at the Buyer’s expense.
-To provide a pig(s) that is free from genetic defect. In the event of death: YOU MUST get a necropsy done on the animal. If the animal is considered to have a genetic defect we will replace or refund your purchase cost. This applies for 6 months from date of purchase. Should a licensed veterinarian certify in writing that the pig(s) died due to a genetic defect, the pig(s) would be replaced by a pig(s) of equal value. All travel costs related to the replacement of the guaranteed pig(s) are at the Buyer’s expense.
-To provide continuing consultation and guidance relating to the care and training, throughout the life of the pig(s).
BUYER GUARANTEES:
-To provide a loving home for the pig(s).
-To properly feed and care for the pig (s)
-To read the provided material on the care, training and health of the pig.
-To make the effort to properly socialize and train your pig(s). There is a variety of good books, internet articles and on – line chats that are available to help in this area.
-This agreement is made to protect the buyer, seller and most importantly the pig(s).
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