Hawaii girl Crystal Kimhan moved from Pearl City to Las Vegas over 11 years ago. Besides being affected by the high cost of living, she also had another reason to move.  "I wanted to have sufficient space for my animals to be happy," she said.

She has several animals at home: two elderly dogs, two parrots and two tortoises, all rescued from shelters and one very sociable pig named Pork Chop. Pork Chop was purchased from a breeder in Texas.

Crystal Kimhan and Pork Chop. (Photo courtesy Crystal Kimhan)

Kimhan is passionate about pig rescue. She has been saving pigs for several years. "Pig rescue is not new, as the importation of these potbelly pigs in the mid-80s caused a nationwide fad.  That of course fizzled, and sanctuaries and rescues have to come to their aid.  Right now, I am the only pig rescue organization in Southern Nevada, strictly out of need, as the fad has risen again," says Kimhan.

Her organization is called VegasPigPets. So far she's found homes for 40 pigs, a major feat. Once Kimhan gets to them, they may not be social enough to be placed into another home. The hard truth is if they can't be rehomed, they are euthanized or eaten.

Piglets are cute when they're small, but they often grow to larger than their owners expect. (Photo Courtesy Crystal Kimhan)

Kimhan shares information about pig resuce through her two websites at www.vegaspigpets.org and www.teacuppig.info . Both websites tell the hard truth about cute piglets that outgrow their homes and wind up in shelters or are eaten.  She travels out-of-state at least twice a month to transfer pigs to other rescue venues.

Kimhan has a huge networking ohana, some in other states. She tries to keep the pig in its original home until she can find permanent one.  It takes about 2-6 months to find a suitable home. Potential adoptive parents undergo screening and checks. Only ten percent  of the applications are accepted. Once the "match" is made, Kimhan or her associates not only transport the pig to their new home, but work with the new owner to make sure the pig settles in nicely. 

I asked why there are so many unwanted pigs. There are many reasons, she said. Breeders often mislead the public by selling "mini" or "teacup" pigs. Pigs continue to grow up to 5 years old. When a  pig hits 80-100 pounds, no one wants it anymore.  

Pigs also have the tendency to "uproot" or "dig" carpet or furniture. Kimhan says, "Pigs are still pigs and need to root and dig!" 

Another reason is that breeders do not "fix" piglets before sale. Kimhan warns, " An unfixed pig NEVER makes a good pet, it's just plain hormones and especially in males, they turn sexuallly aggressive!"

Pigs are extremely intelligent. They are the fifth smartest animal behind humans, primates, dolphins and whales.  Kimharn advises, "It's like having a 3 year old!  You need to be prepared to raise a pig for the full 20 years."

Sadly, celebrities like Paris Hilton will buy a piglet as a pet and then everyone wants one. Most people don't do any research on what it's like to raise a pig.

It's people like Kimhan, with a very big heart, that helps these unwanted animals.  

A lioness rests inside her cage at Alipore zoo in Calcutta, India, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

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Happy Friday all!  Have a good, restful weekend.

Grand Champion Sumiyo Diam0nd in the Rough. (Photo courtesy of Sherlane Dick)

See all cat breeds and household pets at the Sepulveda Cat Club cat show this Saturday, Feb. 6  at the Ala Wai Golf Course clubhouse from 10 a.m- 3 p.m.   Admission is $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for kids and seniors. 

National judges will present awards. 

This is a great event to see all types of cats up close and learn more about them.

See you there!

The Super Bowl will be protected by very specialized dogs this weekend. 

ATF explosive detection dog Darel sits after discovering a "bomb" and awaits for his prize from Special Agent L.A. Bykowsky during a demonstration for reporters in Miami, Tuesday. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives showed how the dogs can detect even minute amounts of bomb compounds. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

ATF Special Agent Kevin Bonikowski and his explosive detection dog Gavin prepare to check a car for explosives during a demonstration . (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

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Shamefully, I have to admit I don't even know what teams are playing.  I like to watch the game for the hype and commercials but don't really cheer for either side (unless there's a Hawaii alum playing).

After 40 years, Dr. Clifford Kumamoto plans to hang up his stethoscope and say goodbye to heartworms and mange.

Dr. Kumamoto of the Animal Clinic holds Brigitte. (Photo by David Yamada)

The senior veterinarian has spent a lifetime taking care of animals at the Animal Clinic on Waialae Avenue. It's going to be tough for him to say goodbye.

He estimates that approximately 5,000 patients come through the clinic doors annually. Doing the math, that means he's treated about 200,000 animals in his career.

"I've worked seven days a week. I haven’t had a vacation in over 24 years," says Kumamoto.

Asked what he's most proud of in his career devoted to animals, he said, "We have had a lot of kids that come here that want to be vets. Many of them have succeeded.  I'm proud of that." 

This Kalihi boy remembers that being a vet wasn't his first choice. "I wanted to be a pediatrician first. Ever since I was in elementary school, I admired my pediatrician."  His feelings toward devoting his life to pediatric medicine changed when he was in high school. He saw his 7-year-old cousin battle leukemia. After two years of suffering, his cousin died. "I don't  think I could take seeing human beings suffer.  We always had animals, so I decided to try vet school."

His road to veterinary school was  bumpy at first. "The first time, I fooled around. I had no major at the University of Hawaii. When I sent my transcripts to Kansas State University, the admissions office said, 'Hey, your grades aren't good enough. If you're serious, come here and show us what you can do.'"

Kumamoto listened. He went to Kansas State University and worked  on improving his grades.

The second time he applied to veterinary school was a charm and he was accepted. After four years of study, he graduated in 1970 with a degree in veterinary medicine. Then Kumamoto went into the Army and was stationed in Atlanta, Ga.

Local veterinarian and Animal Clinic founder Dr. Nam Young Chung kept track of Kumamoto's career. "He tracked me down while I was in the Army and wanted me to work for him."   The rest is history. Kumamoto has treated everything from Jackson chameleons, birds, rodents, dogs, cats and everything else in between at the Kaimuki clinic.

Kumamoto hasn't completely retired yet. Even though he announced his retirement at the end of last year, he's still working at the clinic "part-time" to ensure a smooth transition. The new owners of the Animal Clinic, Dr. Kristin Kunimoto and Dr. Matthew Leara, will be moving the clinic nearby to Koko Head Avenue sometime in March.

Dr. Kumamoto's legacy will live on in all the veterinary students he's taught and in all the animals he's treated.

I wish you the best,  Dr. Kumamoto. Thank you for helping Hawaii's animals.