Micro Pigs bring home the bacon for Burnley firm

1:10pm Monday 18th April 2011 in Briercliffe Photograph of the Author By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

POPULAR PORKERS Joanne Rowe, who breeds them as pets POPULAR PORKERS Joanne Rowe, who breeds them as pets

LITTLE Patrick the micro pig might be in for some competition with the arrival of a new breeding ground for the cute pets in Burnley.

Mini-celebrity Patrick brings home the bacon at an outdoors shop in Ramsbottom, modelling for his own photoshoots and even updating fans via his own Twitter page.

But now Briercliffe-based farmer Joanne Rowe is staking a claim to the latest pets craze with her own fledgling venture.

Lancashire Micro Pigs was established with assistance from Burnley Enterprise, and Joanne has not looked back.

She said: “Demand for micro pigs is soaring and they are becoming really popular as household pets.

“They are irresistibly cute.

“They are highly intelligent, and said to be the fourth most intelligent species after man, monkey and dolphin.

"They are also good alternative pets for people with allergies.

“Lots of people are allergic to cats and dogs, but you can’t get allergies from pigs as their skin is very similar to ours, and they have hair not fur.”

The tiny porkers can live as long as 18 years and owners often remark on how clean-living they turn out to be, Joanne added.

Joanne added: “The support I’ve received from Burnley Enterprise has been invaluable to me.

“I can honestly say that I could not have done it without them”.

Her experiences are detailed in the latest issue of In Business, a newsletter produced by the borough council to give advice on industry and commerce in the Burnley area.

Comments (7)

2:43pm Mon 18 Apr 11

useyourhead says...

Thats right love, you make a few bucks and bugger the fact that a lot of them will not end up well cared for or in the care of overstretched RSPCA.
-
These pet trends make me furious!
Thats right love, you make a few bucks and bugger the fact that a lot of them will not end up well cared for or in the care of overstretched RSPCA. - These pet trends make me furious! useyourhead

4:31pm Mon 18 Apr 11

Lancs - pensioner says...

My mum always said "where there’s muck there’s money"
My mum always said "where there’s muck there’s money" Lancs - pensioner

4:33pm Mon 18 Apr 11

Izanears says...

I wonder how long it will be before we find these poor little creatures abandoned and left to starve when their owners get fed up with them.
I wonder how long it will be before we find these poor little creatures abandoned and left to starve when their owners get fed up with them. Izanears

4:50pm Mon 18 Apr 11

DaveBurnley says...

These so called micro pigs are only small for a time. They grow to something the size of a Labrador dog which isn't exactly small. Still I see that Burnley Enterprise were gullible enough to get involved.


http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Miniature_p
ig
These so called micro pigs are only small for a time. They grow to something the size of a Labrador dog which isn't exactly small. Still I see that Burnley Enterprise were gullible enough to get involved. http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Miniature_p ig DaveBurnley

5:39pm Mon 18 Apr 11

BIGGLESTOE says...

When you get bored just eat em! Then then tell all your mates at the pub, that you used to be a self sufficient farmer!!! Well its not a 'Porky' is it?. If you pardon the pun.
When you get bored just eat em! Then then tell all your mates at the pub, that you used to be a self sufficient farmer!!! Well its not a 'Porky' is it?. If you pardon the pun. BIGGLESTOE

10:02am Tue 19 Apr 11

lclairelindsey says...

I have been to visit Joanne and her micropigs- the comments above are absolute rubbish. She works extremely hard and is very particular about who gives her pigs a new home, keeping in touch with all her clients, and refuses to offer pigs to anyone who does not have suitable facilities for them. You can clearly see from the picture that the pigs are not tiny, they are indeed the size of dogs, which is still much smaller than the average pig, and the website even has charts with sizing on. Anybody with half a brain knows that they are not 'handbag' pets, and need responsible caring owners which Joanne ensures to the best of her ability.
I have been to visit Joanne and her micropigs- the comments above are absolute rubbish. She works extremely hard and is very particular about who gives her pigs a new home, keeping in touch with all her clients, and refuses to offer pigs to anyone who does not have suitable facilities for them. You can clearly see from the picture that the pigs are not tiny, they are indeed the size of dogs, which is still much smaller than the average pig, and the website even has charts with sizing on. Anybody with half a brain knows that they are not 'handbag' pets, and need responsible caring owners which Joanne ensures to the best of her ability. lclairelindsey

11:14am Tue 19 Apr 11

A Darener says...

Compared to the "micro"pigs shown on the recent Lakes programme with Rory McGrath on ITV1, these are absolute giants.
Compared to the "micro"pigs shown on the recent Lakes programme with Rory McGrath on ITV1, these are absolute giants. A Darener

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree