Breeders Code of Ethics

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The Breeders Code of Ethics 

(Updates effective January 1, 2018)

 

  1. Breeder agrees to not use misleading terms such as micro, teacup, or nano. Breeders will only use proper terminology such as American Mini Pig breed or mini pigs.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to have a veterinarian spay and neuter all pet piglets at least 7 days before being placed in homes. Breeder agrees to microchip all piglets before being placed in homes.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to offer a health guarantee on all piglets. Breeder agrees to disclose any defect, health concerns, or special needs of a piglet before placing it.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to provide only realistic estimates and/or documented sizes on parent pigs and piglets. Breeder agrees to not advertise or promote weight under 60 pounds or heights under 15 inches. Heights 14 inches or shorter must be proven with multiple mature (5 year old) generations of claimed height.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to care for piglets 6-8 weeks minimum, before placing them in their new homes. If a piglet is orphaned or unable to nurse, this is still the responsibility of the breeder to care for the piglet until s/he is old enough to be placed with a family. Premature weaning is not allowed unless there is a medical cause, in which case pan or syringe should be used for feeding. Breeder agrees to never bottle feed or suggest bottle feeding.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to socialize piglets in an effort to prepare them for their new homes and ensure a successful transition. Piglets should be properly weaned, eating a pelleted diet for more than a week, handled and held frequently, using a litter pan, and introduced to a home environment prior to being placed.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to provide lifetime support families after a pig is placed. Breeder agrees to return calls, messages, emails, and to provide outside resources to buyers who are in need of help, have questions, or need more education. A support Facebook group is strongly encouraged.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to take back all pigs sold for the duration of their life. If possible, breeder should be available to help the owners through the challenges to keep the pig in its home, or to network the pig to ensure a well screened and successful home placement.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to maintain a website and social media page with photos and ages of breeding adult pigs.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to thoroughly screen and educate all potential owners before placing a piglet. Discussion and/or resources should be provided on zoning requirements, secure fencing, pet pig challenges, other animals and persons living in the home, time investment, renting vs owning, behaviors, care requirements, health needs, etc., to ensure a stable forever home.

 

  1. Breeder agrees not to breed underage pigs. Boars must be a minimum of 12 months old at time of breeding. Gilts must be a minimum of 16 months at time of breeding. Litters born to boars under 16 months or gilts 20 months will not qualify for registration by the AMPA.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to provide weather protected housing & secure fencing for all pigs in their care, as well as clean and protected birthing areas for sows and piglets.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to provide a well-balanced, species appropriate diet to all pigs in their care. Pigs should be fed proper amounts to maintain a healthy body condition, avoiding underfeeding or overfeeding.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to offer breeding stock ONLY to thoroughly screened ethical breeders. Only the highest quality mini pigs should be offered with breeding rights, ensuring the piglet does not carry a history of genetic defects that would be detrimental to the American Mini Pig breed.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to follow all USDA, APHIS, or Canadian CIFA laws and airline regulations while shipping, transporting, or relocating pigs. Breeder agrees to only transport healthy piglets.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to not breed pigs with known genetic defects that would be detrimental to the longevity of the pig or it’s offspring. Breeder agrees to not inbreed pigs.

 

  1. Breeder agrees to not broker pigs. All piglets and the parent pigs must be on the premises.

 

  1. In order to fully benefit from the AMPA, we ask that breeders do not affiliate with another organization that registers mini pigs, promotes a code of ethics or standard of breeding practices, or in any way suggests similar benefits that the AMPA offers.

 

 

 

 

*Continual failure to comply with the AMPA’s Breeder Code of Ethics will result in disqualification of the breeder from membership, and the breeder will be removed from our directory and registry if so decided by the AMPA ethics committee whose members have no financial or personal gain.