Third grader starts organization to save unwanted pet pigs
A 9-year-old is aiming to save the lives of pigs after learning it's common for people who have them as pets to surrender them as they grow.
Alaina Holdread took home her own pet pig, Daisy, in 2017. The third grader and her family were told Daisy would stay tiny in size, but two years later, Daisy is 150 pounds.
"I started learning about all of the myths that are out there about potbelly pigs, like they will stay teacup size and they make good apartment pets," Alaina told "Good Morning America." "This is not true, and a lot of people get rid of their pig once they figure this out."
After learning that many breeders are misinforming buyers about pigs just to make a buck, Alaina told her mom, Betty Holdread, that she wanted to start an organization.
From there, Pink for Pigs was launched.
Through her initiative, Alaina sells handmade, pig-themed accessories and donates the proceeds to shelters.
Alaina spends time with pigs at sanctuaries and has sponsored one in her area. Pink for Pigs has now filed to become a 501(c)(3) organization in their state, Holdread said.
"After bringing Daisy home, we learned more horror stories (on Facebook) that breeders tell them they make good apartment pets -- not the case," Holdread, of Highland, Michigan, said.
"The rescues are flooded with pigs. They're being euthanized every single day because they're in dog shelters, things like that."
Holdread said that thankfully, her family has just enough property to care for and keep Daisy as a pet.
The pig Alaina sponsors, Mozy, is one of 52 pigs at Smiggy's Safe Haven & Sanctuary in Dowagiac, Michigan.
Owner Christy Guipe said the 6.5-acre sanctuary gets requests to take in more pigs every week.
"We need people like [Alaina] to sponsor these pigs, otherwise all the financial responsibility is on us," Guipe told "GMA." "Most were surrendered by families who were told they'd make good pets. The owners, they cry when they hand over the pig, but then they're gone."
"It's not illegal," she added. "It's just people take them home, but they're not zoned for them."
Alaina helps cover Mozy's food, medical bills and supplies.
She said she loves all pigs and that they have feelings "just like us."
"They are just my passion and I just want to help save pigs' lives," Alaina explained. "Part of what I do is educate the public about pigs so people can make better decisions."
With help from her mom, and experienced pig owners like Guipe, Alaina said she hopes to inform people about pig behavior, the way pigs age, and the truth behind misleading terms like teacup, micro, nano and pocket pigs.
"We're beyond proud of her," her mom said.
