Pigs smaller than kittens? A London café holds a “Teacup Pig” meet-and-greet

By Rita

How can four or five live pigs possibly fit inside “mugs”? Your impression of pigs might be about to be turned upside down. A pig-themed café in London, UK, is hosting a meet-and-greet event in May where tourists can see these incredibly cute “teacup pigs”!

▲Teacup pig (Photo / The Proud Archivist’s Facebook page, same below)

In fact,teacup pigs are a hybrid of Tamworth pigs and Gloucestershire Old Spots, and due to the very low success rate of breeding, they come with a hefty price tag. Because the piglets are smaller than cats, their tiny appearance—coupled with celebrity endorsements—created quite a stir in the UK, prompting many people to buy and keep them. But soon after, there was a significant wave of abandonment. Why? The teacup pigs’ dainty look is short-lived; as they grow up, they reach a size similar to that of dogs, leaving many owners regretful.

According to CNN, the café hosted a teacup pig meet-up event called “Pignic,” but not just anyone could attend—it required advance ticket purchase. The café stated that the goal of the event was to provide potential owners with accurate information about teacup pigs.

Teacup Pig Meet-Up Event: Pignic
Ticket Price: £30
Event Dates: May 21–May 25
Address: The Proud Archivist café, 2-10 Hertford Road, London
Phone: +44 2035982626
Ticket Purchase Website: http://www.yelp.co.uk/events/london-yelp-londons-pop-up-pignic