A friend of mine told me today that her little cousin, Jessica, is spoiled. She has had 4 sugar gliders. Jessica is 6 and is DEFINITELY not responsible enough to take care of a pet on her own. She got her first glider when she was 5, off of impulse. She named him Twiggs. Well, Twiggs was neglected and died a month later. Her parents replaced Twiggs with another identical glider. Jessica didn't know it was a different glider. Twiggs #2 died another month later. They replaced him once again, bringing home Twiggs #3. I'm sure by now you have guessed that Twiggs #3 is a goner. Twiggs #4 died last weekend of dehydration. I finally went and talked to Jessica's parents and explained to them that its wrong to just be killing off animals like that because their spoiled child threw a fit. They didn't listen to me, and they are going to get Twiggs #5 on Thursday Makes me so mad!

What on earth are they thinking? Tell them how to take care of it abd remind them to stick to it!

Threaten to call animal services and report them for animal cruelty.

I agree what are they thinking, apparently she is to young to take care of it and why should a little baby be punished like that. That is terrible I would call animal services as well

And make sure they know they are not like hamsters or gerbils, they should live FIFTEEN YEARS I think you actually have to try to polish one off in a month :(

I know she is your friend but no animal should go through that cause for one its not the child fault for not knowing how to care for a glider on her own.The parents are at fault to for not seeing that she is taking care of it the right way.Two where are the parents help in all this they should know that it is wrong and to tell her no cause putting a sweet little glider through this knowing that it is going to be dead before it can injoy life is way wrong.If they dont want to know how to care for the little one than they should be turned in cause how many gliders are they going to kill before they stop? All that money going to waste in a life taking for no reason.I cant stand hearing let alone stand by in watch it happen.If they dont want to make things right than its up to you to save the glider or gliders.I know you might not want to get in the way of how they do things cause it could cost a friend ship but its not right either just letting them kill.I'm sorry if i make any one mad on here but i cant see why they would do this over in over knowing that things ant gonna change if they dont get help.Please dont let them hurt another glider.

I second this!
Please send here.

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Originally posted by okusandman

What on earth are they thinking? Tell them how to take care of it abd remind them to stick to it!

Threaten to call animal services and report them for animal cruelty.

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Ok. I went and talked to MY friend. We went over there and I showed them this site along with some other sites on diets and cages and toys, etc. I took Jessica to my house and introduced her to Stitch! I told her that he has been alive for OVER 5 MONTHS!! She was amazed haha. I told her how to hold them and she got to hold Stitch. Im very surprised that he didnt run away. She gave him some treats and then put him back in his pouch. They went got Twiggy #5 today. I went with them, the place wasnt far. I held the pouch containing the very crabby baby all the way back to the house. I cupped HER in my hands (They thought it was a boy) and let Jessica pet her little head. We went to a bunch of different pat stores and bought yogurt bites, small bird toys, litte cage branches, and a heat rock. We set everything up in the (Very smal) cage that she has. I explained that the cage shouldnt be so small. Her parents dont mind spenidng lots of money on their daughter. So they went and ordered this: Error, missing URL. l

As of right now, Violet is doing very well and has a hopeful life. :)
I cant even begin to explain how good I feel!!

That is a wonderful cage. Hopefully changing the name to Violet will grant her better luck. I'd just check in on her all the time. What will they be feeding her? And did they order a wheel? How about finding an exotic vet? Sorry for so many questions but we'd like to be sure they have all their bases covered this time.

You did good Alybear!! So happy to hear it sounds like the parents just needed a nudge in the right direction.

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Originally posted by Alybear

We went to a bunch of different pat stores and bought yogurt bites, small bird toys, litte cage branches, and a heat rock. We set everything up in the (Very smal) cage that she has. I explained that the cage shouldnt be so small. Her parents dont mind spenidng lots of money on their daughter. So they went and ordered this: www.exoticnutrition.com/bb618182.html

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I believe that as a general rule of thumb, heat rocks are a no-no. If they are old enough to be separated from their parents, they should be able to regulate their own body temperature when given a proper pouch. Best of luck!

Great, one thing that jumped out at me was the heat rock. Gliders are warm blooded animals and heatrocks malfuntion. The best heat rock is one without a cord.

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Originally posted by Omis n Kais g-ma

I second this!
Please send here.

quote:

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Originally posted by okusandman

What on earth are they thinking? Tell them how to take care of it abd remind them to stick to it!

Threaten to call animal services and report them for animal cruelty.

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AGREE! That's animal abuse.

Ok. I guess ill tell them that the heat rock is a no go. Its not like they haven't thrown money away before. :P Thanks for the support you guys. I honestly thought it would be mean or rude to step in like that when I don't really know them.

To answer all questions from Omis n Kais g-ma, The vet is taken care of. I do check up on her... Always will. Violet is on the BML diet. They have a raptor wheel. :) any more questions bout lil Violet?? :)

Also, If Violet survives for 6 months, she can get another glider. Violet will have a little friend: Aly :) haha she's gonna name her second glider Aly!! :D