Sugar Glider University

Over the course of my interest in sugar gliders, I have heard many people's sad stories of sugar gliders they bought from pet stores. I have only one feeling about buying animals from pet stores--especially exotics--DON'T DO IT!!

There is absolutely no reason to purchase a sugar glider from a pet store when there are many reputable breeders across the country who give individual love and attention to their sugar glider colonies. The first obvious problem with a pet store is that unless it is open all night long, or maintains a night staff, the sugar gliders are not receiving proper socialization or care at night. That is just the tip of the iceberg, unfortunately.

Many pet stores around the country, including Petco and Petland, have been investigated for animal cruelty and abuse. Many former employees have come forward with horrifying stories of how animals are mistreated, neglected and abused in pet stores.

From Reverence 4 Life, "In one case of cruelty, five-week-old puppies were ordered from a breeder, although they cannot be sold legally at that age; they should still be with their mother. They arrived at the pet store in a box, caked in their own feces and urine. Then they were taken out of it and placed in a cat carrier. " This same situation is common with sugar gliders, both in pet stores and glider mills.

Sugar gliders at pet stores are, most of the time, purchased in bulk from glider mills. They are inexpensive when purchased from these mills, so their deaths don't make much of a difference in a company's profit. A cheap glider is not worth sending to a vet if it's sick. It is just allowed to die.

Another problem inherent with pet stores and glider mills is that they have sold sick and injured sugar gliders to the public, have gotten the sex wrong when selling to the public, have never provided proper veterinary care to the sugar gliders, have kept sugar gliders in aquariums lined with toxic cedar shavings, and have been known to use inhumane methods of killing sick and unwanted animals.

Glider mills have been known to sell gliders with highly contagious illnesses, that not only are a danger to other sugar gliders, but to humans as well. If you have purchased a sugar glider from a glider mill such as Custom Cage Works (Animals Exotique), Flying Fur Ranch, Red River Exotics, or a trade show, these gliders have been exposed to nasty things like giardia, which can easily spread to your entire colony, and can be fatal if untreated.

So, what can be done about pet stores? First of all, know what to look for at pet stores and/or breeders to see if abuse or neglect is going on.

From PETA: "Look for signs of ill health, such as listlessness, diarrhea, emaciation, dull coats, runny eyes, and dry noses. Sick animals should never be housed with healthy ones." "Check the general sanitation conditions; notice signs of cockroach infestation, rodent droppings on the floor, and rusty or dirty cages. Also look for algae or scum in water bottles, empty water containers, or animals having difficulty drinking from them."

If you witness abuse at a pet store, don't just go online and tell everyone how awful it was--contact your local SPCA or Humane Society to see what can be done and to whom you can make an official report.

Above all, do not buy from known glider mills, no matter what your motivation. Do not support pet stores and glider mills in any fashion. This will only continue cruelty and abuse. For more information on stopping pet store cruelty and making a positive change for sugar gliders and other animals, visit:

Pet Store Activism

Pet Trade Information and Activism

PAWS Guide To Everyday Activism