Hello,
I just received two sugar gliders as pets for my graduation from visiting family members who purchased them in NJ from Pocket Pets. However, I found out after they gave them to me that the gliders are illegal in my state...and I am not sure what to do. I would love to keep them but I have no idea how to care for them. I know my family meant well but I am worried this will turn into a disaster. Because they got them from PP, I cannot return them and I am scared I won't be able to care for them properly but I am willing to try.

I am more worried about their illegality. I have only had them for two days (since Friday) and I haven't yet started to bond with them. I followed the Pocket Pets instructions (which I have been reading appears to be wrong). Are there any owners in PA that could give me advice?

Help?

Also: My house is EXTREMELY cold lately. Around 54 degree. I know the heat rocks are apparently bad but I am scared to take it out for fear that they will freeze. I have a heat lamp on and a blanket wrapped around a cage. Is there anything else I can do?!

do you have any fleece pouches for them to sleep in? I would get rid of the heat rock, give them a double lined fleece pouce for starters, and possible put a space heater in the room that they are in. also, look at the diets on this website for what to feed them. the bml recipe has ingredients in it that you can pick up locally between the grocery store and the pet store. not sure what to tell you on the legal aspect of your situation.

I do not have fleece pouches, just what was given in the starter set from my family.

I hate to say this but I might have to sell them ( I would give them away but I want to be able to tell my family that they didn't waste their money). I know they paid 1000 but in reality, what can I sell them for without ripping someone else off? It a male and female, wheel, food/water feeder, and cage.

I would hope someone is going after PP for selling you gliders ILLEGALLY... They should've had to get some info from your parents, a drivers license, something so that they knew where you live and NO reputable breeder or broker, as is the case here, should be selling to illegal states if they're licensed, especially.
It isn't really your fault as a: you didn't buy them and b: I'm SURE your parents had no idea they were illegal and I highly doubt PP brought that up to risk loosing a sale.

This is really shocking to me. X_X


However, all of that said. I DO know people on here own them in illegal states. It's never advised as you can have them taken away and put down if found out, but maybe someone that knows more about it will come along. ): Sorry I'm not of much help! I'd just start reading up on diet and care info for now if you can find it as unfortunately much of what PP 'teaches' is really inaccurate. D: And please, never stick your finger in their mouths! ;-;


EDIT: Probably 200-300 bucks, in all honesty. They're mill gliders for one, that cage is WAY too small by any standards, for two. I've see gliders go for even less than that on CL. ): PP is known for over charging. I sell two gray joeys for around 300 and a cage like 4 times that size you can easily get for around 100. I don't know how PP stays in business. X_X

I would go to a craft store and oick up some fleece so you can at least make them a pouch to sleep in.
Here's a link for making some no sew stuff, just make sure the knots are tied tight and do the tooth pick test.

www.suzsugargliders.com/nosewaccessories.htm

they like cuddling together in pouches to keep warm.

Where could I put them up for sale? I have thought about it and I am fairly certain I cannot keep them, as much as I would to. It is just not responsible to me or the the little critters.

To make them legal pets in PA, you need to get a license. I know of a zoo in PA that keeps them, to find it search 'sugar glider zoo pa' and it should come up. They might be able to help you with getting a license to own them.

You'll definitly want some fleece. And do some research on a better diet.

Where are you in PA? If it comes to it, I might be able to help you rehome them (I know of a local rescue that might also be able to help).

I am in Northern PA on the border of NY/NJ. I am really very upset that I can't keep them but I know rehoming them is best.I am just worried no one will buy them because they are from the dreaded "pocket pets"

Blah, maybe look for a rescue in NJ/NY. I'm on the other side of the state from you (MD). PA's laws regarding sugar gliders/exotic pets are screwy anyway.

I don't think that'll discourage most people of the sugar glider community; anyone who is has a big heart (from my experience so far).

People wont shy away from them because they're from PPP- its their company we don't like, we pity their gliders for the most part.

I can completely understand WHY no one likes the company. I do not know anything about Sugar Gliders or their care...yet they are selling them (where my family got them) in MALLS?! To other people who know nothing about these adorable animals? That is just...it's not right. When people see them they assume they will be like a hamster who doesn't require much and purchase them for fun. But they seem to take a LOT of time, love, and care and most people aren't thinking about that when they get them.

I would LOVE to keep my two but it would be so irresponsible of me when I can't guarantee their safety due to state laws. If I ever move out of PA, though, I will defiantly look into these lovelies as pets.

Well someone said you can possibly get a permit, are you unwilling to even look into that? ):

http://www.sugarglider.com/gliderpedia/index.asp?Laws#h39

here's more info on PA's glider laws

you might want to call a local place- i found this on bornfreeusa.org

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Pennsylvania

Category: L (Requires the "owner" of the exotic animal to obtain a license or permit or to register the animal with state or local authorities to privately possess the animal (excludes states only requiring import permits))

Summary of Law: No person may keep exotic wildlife without first receiving a permit from the wildlife commission. Exotic wildlife includes, but is not limited to all bears, coyotes, lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, cougars, wolves, and any crossbreed of these animals, which have similar characteristics in appearance or features. However, there are no state requirements for a person possessing non-human primates and reptiles.

Citation: 34 PA. CONS. STAT. ANN. §2961 and §2963<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I don't think sugar gliders are in any of these categories, so maybe a local fish and game person could help you out?

Do a little more research before you give up on these little guys!

I have spent the past three days combing the internet about them and it seems that the permit required has not been issued in PA for years. People are routinely denied permits for Sugar Gliders. As I said, they were a graduation gift (college) and I am terrified that in addition to the legality, that I won't be able to provide them the care they rightfully deserve. If they get sick I can't afford to take them to the vet, I am trying to save up to move OUT of my current residence. I did consider moving to NJ/NY but I cannot afford it at this time.

Also, I received them from my family members who did not consult with my father (the person I currently live with) before purchasing and gifting them to me. It was irresponsible of them and he is not pleased.

No, I think it is better if I find them a new home.

That's a very good reason and I appreciate where you're coming from.

I have a strict rule of not gifting pets. It rarely works out.

Ask your relatives if they'll take them or find them new homes, just explain to them as you did to us that you aren't in a position to give the love and care they need, especially since they're an exotic. Tell them you appreciate the gift very much, but hope that they will talk to you first in the future before giving you an animal thats going to be around for 15+ years, its a big commitment! As long as you're respectful about it they should understand (if they're rational, logical adults, unlike most of my family :/)

I wish you the best of luck.

This is one of the reasons I can't believe they were so irresponsible. They gifted me two babies on Friday and flew back out to Minnesota on Saturday morning. I have already called and spoken with them about it and there are very sorry but since they are so far way now, there is nothing they can do and I am NOT shipping the poor little creatures to them. That would be cruel and inhumane.

Wow, I can't believe someone would do that.
I'm so sorry.
If I weren't on the opposite coast I'd come get them for you...

If you're set on rehoming, there is a classified section on the this site that you can list them on. These little guys are alot of work (very well worth it), but when put in a situation like you have been put into, I can see where you're coming from. They are not a pet for everyone, like you had said, they are not like a hamster or small pet like that. You can also post on craigslist. You probably will not get the money back that your family has invested in them, but you should be able to find them a new home. If you list in craigslist, you might want to list it in NY near the PA line (Chautaqua, Twin Tiers, ect.) I would also ask alot of questions of people who may be interested in adopting them from you to make sure they are knowledgable about them.
If I was in a position to purchase them from you, I would, but if you needed help with fostering until a new home could be found, I would be more than happy to help. (I'm not far from you, I live about 30 miles south of Buffalo)Good luck with whatever you decide.

PA is a crazy state. You cannot have them without a permit BUT the state is no longer issuing them. If you do a search up top for the same title as your thread, you'll find others that have had similar issues. I believe there was even a news story done there because PPP was actually selling them there at one point. A woman called the news and they did a report on it. I don't blame you for being uncomfortable with the idea of keeping them. I would try the Classifieds here.

I stand corrected...it was Custom CageWorks that was selling them. The name of the thread was "Illegal gliders", so do a search up top for that to get the info. I'd link to it, but can't from my phone.

You can't own them in PA legally. I have spoken in detail with the authority (fish and wildlife) and they told me that there is absolutely no way and no permit to own them. Zoos can operate outside of most laws because of what they are (they can own snow leopards and endangered species in that same respect). You will be fined $500 per day that they can prove you had them if you are found out......how stupid is that right? This stopped me from going to my dream school in PA....phewey on them!

I say that you contact PPP and get your money back, but then you are sending your babies to their death. Or you find someone in NY, NJ, or DE to adopt them for a rehoming fee (like $300 or $400 maybe). In the meantime, get them chicken and egg and fresh fruits/veggies. Also get a heater in their room ASAP.

you should accept valston's offer to foster the gliders till you can find them a good home. she could get them started on a good diet, maybe work with them a bit if they are not tame or just scared and she probably has a room that is warm enough for them and you wont be stressed that you have them or if you think your caring for them wrong.
here is an example of some things you should have them fill out first. this is from kozi's site www.jotform.com/form/10021633484 and you could even have them sign a contract that says they need to be returned to you if it doesnt work out and you can make sure they go to another good home and make sure they wont be used to breed and sell.

I live in NJ and i am more than willing to help you if you need to re home them (:

Thank you all so much! I am currently talking to some people who are interested in them but if they decide to change their mind I will absolutely be in contact with Valston or GB8502. The people are supposed to take them this weekend but of that does not work I will contact you guys.

Thank you all so much for your help with this. It is stressing me out for them and I am so worried cause I know they need love but I do not want them to begin bonding with me!

im glad it worked out for you (: i hope they found a great home! best of luck to you

Thanks to everyone that offered to help! That's what we're here for! :)

Where do you live? There is a member here lookinmg for gliders. She has 1 right now.<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Glider22</i>
<br />I do not have fleece pouches, just what was given in the starter set from my family.

I hate to say this but I might have to sell them ( I would give them away but I want to be able to tell my family that they didn't waste their money). I know they paid 1000 but in reality, what can I sell them for without ripping someone else off? It a male and female, wheel, food/water feeder, and cage.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

glider22- good luck with the new home, i hope it all works out. make sure you let the new owners know about this site, it's such a great resource to utilize.
if things don't work out with the new owners, don't hesitate to let me know, i'd be more than happy to help out

<font color="green">I say you did the right thing. Good job.</font id="green">