mipig cafe Meguro

While it may be tempting for cute pictures and the “good” reviews (most of which are incentivized by a discount), PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT THESE MINI PIG CAFES.

I feel so naive after my visit as it is obvious that these pigs are in distress and living under cruel conditions. The room of the cafe is very small and cramped, with no toys for stimulation or teething, which explains their constant teeth grinding/chewing out of boredom and stress. They are also very bony and as you can see in the picture, some have visible ribs and shoulder blades, which is likely to keep them small for as long as possible from malnutrition.

One particularly disturbing moment was watching one attendant throw a handful of kibble to the twelve pigs with the pigs subsequently aggressively fighting with each other for the small amounts of food. The smaller and skinnier ones seemed to be unable to fight off the larger ones for food.

Another disturbing moment was the attendant forcefully grabbing a pig by the snout after it had slightly bit at me out of the stress from being picked up repeatedly by attendants and placed on my lap. Considering in the waiver that you are asked to sign prior to entering, it is stated that you are not allowed to pick up the pigs as it stresses them out— I don’t understand why the attendants constantly pick them up and force them to sit in guests laps instead of letting them come to us on their own.

Overall, it was very painful to watch as an animal lover, and I honestly cried after leaving the establishment. Again, please please please, do not visit these extremely unethical businesses that profit off the abuse of animals.