I'm on my first sip of coffee so hopefully nothing I type comes off as rude or snarky
If it does, it was not intended that way.
First of all thank you for taking the glider in, and secondly good on you for researching enough to even know they are illegal in California.
I'm sure it's a difficult choice to keep it or turn it over to someone in a legal state, and I am in no way judging but I can give you some insight that may help in your decision.
it IS an issue having one in Ca, because 1 it's illegal, 2 vet care is a necessity for exotic animals and 3 they can, will and have not only confiscated gliders in Ca ( and Pa ) but they have also destroyed them ( put them down )
Personally, if you wanted to risk the fines and possible jail times I wouldn't have a problem with that, it's your choice and consequence of your decision ( or any glider owner in Cal not just you )
However the glider didn't ask to be in an illegal state and shouldn't have to potentially pay that price. It's a risk I personally wouldn't take because I feel it is a selfish one ( again not just your specific situation I realize this was not a choice you made )
Things to consider if you do decide to keep him/her...
* If the glider should need vet care, and they often do. Vets can and will treat the glider because of their ethics buttttttt they can also report that you have one to the authorities. A lot of times this is how people get caught which is another risk, do you sacrifice needed medical attention and allow the glider to suffer and or die or risk getting reported and get the glider treated ( again risking it's life to save it )? This is probably the biggest issue with owning in an illegal state.
The fact that this glider was neglected at it's previous home would suggest he/she already needs medical attention or at the very least a wellness check to make sure he/she is healthy, parasite free.
If your having troubles deciding if it is best to keep him or her imagine making that decision because that is a valid scenario that you will face if you keep him/her.
* The glider community... while the glider community can be a great asset and resource for glider husbandry for new owners, the community is also HIGHLY Judgmental when it comes to owners in illegal states ( among other things ) This particular forum we are on isn't to awful bad, but it is limited compared to other groups and forums.
Now it may not seem like you will need to rely on the glider community for anything, but gliders have needs. Gliders need glider safe fleece pouches/cage sets, glider safe wheels, glider safe toys and diets etc. The resource for these things are the glider community ( unless you are really crafty and able to make your own )
The issue then comes from shipping. The minute a vendor receives your order and address you are facing judgement and scrutiny for living in an illegal state. Some vendors may overlook it and think of whats best for the glider, however most will not. So if your not the crafty type and aren't able to make these things for the glider ( somethings are unsafe to make yourself like wheels ), and you can't order from well known vendors... the glider goes without things he/she needs.
Having said that, there are some of us that are willing to help and teach you these skills ( with the exception of wheel making ) however, that does not mean we condone owning in an illegal state, it just means we accept that some people do and we still want what is best for those gliders so we put our personal feelings aside and just help.
* Cage mates, 99% of the community will tell you the glider needs a cage mate or they will die or self mutilate or be depressed. Well they won't die or self mutilate just from being alone. They DO get depressed and stressed though. Gliders are nocturnal, and colony animals they do thrive when in pairs or more. By keeping the glider, it will be difficult to find him/her a friend. Which means you and your family is all that glider has and you will have to spend a lot of time with him/her.
I am sure there are breeders in Ca even though they are illegal, but if you go that route you will be supporting backyard illegal breeding, something else the glider community frowns upon. So you either condemn that glider to a solitary life or support a scummy industry to get him/her a friend which may or may not be inbred, sick, loaded with parasites that will infect your other glider.
Getting a cage mate creates another problem. 1 if you have a male, the male probably needs neutered, which requires vet. Most often males in illegal states are intact... So if you get a female cagemate the male is intact the gliders will breed, then produce more potential males that need neutered, and if they produce females the females need separated so the father doesn't breed with them... requiring another cage and set up. This cycle will quickly overwhelm you and your finances, and if you can't keep all the offspring they will need new homes.
If you have two intact males, eventually they will fight, which means vet care usually.
Now if you have two females and hopefully both are healthy well then that might work out, but again the source of another glider is not a reputable one.
* Diets, there is only one diet that will likely be available to you in Ca because it is the ONLY diet that you can find all of the ingredients locally. The diet is bml
http://www.bmldiet.com/bml-recipe.html
While I usually support this diet to the fullest extent, especially for new owners because it is simple and it takes all the guess work out. Some gliders do not like it, gliders are picky eaters. If your glider won't eat it, then that glider doesn't get the nutrients it's body needs, which brings on health issues that require vet care.
All of the other widely used and recommended diets require you to order ingredients online. Again, most vendors will NOT ship to an illegal state. Diets and vet care are 2 of the most important things regarding gliders. You will have a disadvantage on both accounts.
These are just a few essential things to consider while making your decision.
I work with a glider group on facebook that focuses on rehoming and rescuing gliders. We have many resources and individuals willing to help with situations like this. I can see about finding either a rescue or individual to take the glider in if that is what you decide.
In the mean time, I do highly suggest you take a look at the bml recipe and get the glider on some good nutritional food.
Take some pics if you can of his/her cage and things in the cage so we can help get him set up comfortably with safe items.
I also have resources that would be willing to ship some pouches and toys so the glider has a safe comfy sleeping spot for the time being. ( without judgement )
If you need anything or have further questions about care, diet, anything feel free to contact me on facebook anytime
https://www.facebook.com/carla.sloan.1
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Help! My son brought home a glider not sure if we should keep it
but my son has been wearing him in a pouch and giving him lots of attention and at least feeding him healthy thingd that he read about online but I know the sooner he gets to somewhere with toys and friends, he will be much happier. When I made this account, I accidentally made it so I couldn't receive private emails. I'm going to see if I can change that. So yeah..that's where we are at. As much as it would be a loved member of our family, I don't think it's fair to little guy. So the hope is to find either a rescue or individual who can give him what he needs. This honestly stinks..I can't say I would have sought a glider out but if we were in a legal state, I'd have done t. He can't go back to where he came from. He was living in an aquarium and being terrorized by a cat and most likely neglected.
