Party Pigs: Micropigs Reduced to Award Show Swag

by Stephanie Feldstein · 2010-01-20 16:00:00 UTC
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The extravagant swag bags given to celebrities at award shows are legendary. Makeovers, jewelry, gadgets, vacations ... and miniature pigs?

Golden Globe nominees and presenters were due to receive a themed bag from GBK Productions which included truffle salt, truffle oil, and a certificate from Patty's Royal Dandie Miniature Pet Pig for a free pig valued at $5,000. All that's required to collect the animal is a one-hour course on caring for a pet pig, and then the critter is hand-delivered to the celeb. Let's hope none of them can find an hour in their busy schedules to cash in their certificates.

Becoming swag is the ultimate objectification for this already troubled breed. Pig rescue groups argue that these miniature pigs, also known as micropigs or teacup pigs, are really just malnourished pot bellied pigs. They're also worried about the impending influx of pigs who will need rescuing when the pigs grow up to be not-so-mini, and when people who bought them on a whim realize that pigs are intelligent animals with special needs as companions.

People aren't buying the minis because they really want a pint-sized pigs; they buy them because they're little, they're cute, and -- for now -- they're trendy. Which, as we've seen, is never good for any species.

At least GBK Productions didn't just put the actual piglets in the goodie bags ... this time.

Photo credit: CrazyCream

Stephanie Feldstein is a Change.org Editor who has been part of the animal welfare and rescue community for over a decade, and most recently worked for an environmental organization.
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