Meet Hamlet—Hammy, for short—the micro pig with the energy and personality of a canine companion.
Hammy has an astounding Instagram following. It’s no surprise. I mean, look at her! There’s so much personality in that sweet little snout.
Hammy came into her family’s life when her owner, Melanie, got sick. Her husband wanted to cheer her up with a friendly pet, but he was allergic to dogs and cats. Then…they discovered pigs as pets.
It was love at first sight. Melanie and Hammy formed an immediate bond. “It was similar to ‘man’s best friend,'” Melanie explains of the long days and nights she spent with Hammy by her side.
As it turns out, pigs are very intelligent, and Hamlet offered Melanie the comfort and empathy she needed during a difficult time. Just a little smile from Hammy, and the day seemed brighter.
Hammy was a real part of her healing process. Her sweet personality brought a lot of joy to their lives. Here she is playing fetch!
And she brightens a lot of other peoples’ days, too. “Never in a million years did my husband and I expect she would gain all the love that she has,” Melanie explains of Hammy’s online following. One major highlight (beyond the thousands of admirers)? Hammy’s involvement with special projects like the Glamour Project, and bringing Hammy to local nonprofits where she plays with kids who need a little more pig in their lives.
Whether she’s volunteering with children or keeping pace with corgis, Hammy’s a mellow pig at heart. She enjoys long walks, eating grass, playing at the dog park with her canine pals—and munching on bananas, Cheerios, and bowls full of veggies.
Like any pet, Hammy has her quirks.
Perhaps most notable: She loves chewing bubble gum! She knows not to swallow it, and instead she’ll munch it to her heart’s content.
If you’re interested in adopting a pig, Melanie and Hammy have a little advice. “Pigs are a very big commitment,” explains Melanie. “They can live to be 15 to 18 years old.”
“They are wonderful, fun pets, and they’re very smart—but they also can get into a lot of things, so before you bring them home, you have to ‘pig proof’ your home.”
Melanie recommends you do your homework—make sure adopting a pig is the right choice for you before you bring one home!
In the meantime, follow Hammy on Instagram to stay up to date with all her escapades. And remember: many pets are welcome at Rover! As long as you can find a sitter who’s willing and able to accommodate them—and there are many—stays can include goats, horses, lizards, birds, turtles…and yes, pigs.