|
Some trade shows/flea markets sell sugar gliders. Please be careful!
Often times these "sellers" are brokers or mill breeders. Unfortunately
this has caused high amounts of rehomed sugar glider due to false and/or
inadequate information provided by these vendors. People that choose to
sell at these places usually are looking to "make a sale", and will pray
upon impulse buyers. These "sellers" often come across as very
knowledge, charismatic, and nice. Do your research extensively before
choosing a place to buy your new pet. If they can't wait for you to do a
bit of research online, then either they have something to hide and/or
they won't be there to help you along the way if you have any questions
after your new baby comes home. The sugar glider community is relatively
small. Ask for references, make use of online sugar glider communities,
or even ask other sugar glider breeders. Make an informed decision when
buying a sugar glider.
There are many reasons why you should avoid buying from flea markets
trade shows. Here are some of the top reasons to avoid flea market
vendors/mill breeders (all of these have allegedly happened in the state
of Ohio and other states):
1. Possibly inbred. Gliders from these vendors are usually housed
in colonies and kept together. Little to no effort is made to remove
matured offspring from their parents. These gliders usually have no
lines and should NOT be bred. Never buy a sugar glider to breed or with
the possibility of breeding without knowing at least the parents names
and breeder. Often times they will sell "unrelated" pairs, when in fact
they have no clue if they are related or not. There is no way to know if
the inbreeding may have negative effects on the sugar gliders health and
wellbeing later in life.
2. Pulled too young to be sold. There have been MANY reports of
joeys as young as 4-5 weeks being sold at flea markets in Ohio. Joeys
sold this young are in danger both physically and emotionally. Joeys
should not be pulled from their parents any earlier than 8 weeks.
3. Self neutering (reportedly with a pocket knife, or tie off
method). Some of these vendors have been reported to neuter males
"while you wait". This is an inhumane and illegal practice. Surgeries
must be performed by a vet with a license. Sugar gliders are prone to
self mutilating when they are in pain. Neutered males need pain meds to
prevent this.
4. Infected with parasites, bacterial infections, or other illnesses
have been reported. Gliders from mill breeders are often kept in
poor conditions where bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections can
spread quickly. Sugar gliders are very much "wild" and will often hide
symptoms of illness until they are close to death. When purchasing any
sugar glider be sure there is a health guarantee. Make sure they are
specific and any agreement is in writing!
5. Drugged to give the appearance of tameness. The use of "calm
pet" and similar products are used to affect the calmness of the sugar
glider. Some vendors have even used starvation as a way to keep the
sugar gliders calm!
6. Little or No "after sale" support. These vendors are often
only "in town" for the weekend or for that specific show. These people
often are traveling and have little to no time to deal with any issues
you may have after you take your new baby home.
7. The treatment of the animals before they are sold. These
animals are often kept in small, 1 by 1 cages in colonies. Please don't
think that having a USDA license means this isn't true. The USDA has no
adequate cage size requirements for sugar gliders. They travel across
the country until they are sold going from market to market. Most of the
time these flea markets/trade shows are outside. The gliders are often
only given a t-shirt or small towel to sleep under. These animals are
nocturnal, and kept outside in the hot sun paraded for a potential sale.
They are often under fed/watered, and have little to no forms of
stimulation and comfort from toys and pouches.
8. False or "sugar coated" information. Everything from sugar
gliders are "easy to care for, and low maintenance" to "they eat cat
food, raisins, and the occasional fresh fruit" have been told to new
owners. Things like "they make great pets for kids", and "they have no
smell and are easily bonded and handled" have led to many sugar gliders
being rehomed when the sugar gliders didn't live up to the expectations.
9. Warning against further research online. Many of these vendors
are aware of their reputation, and don't want you to research them prior
to buying a sugar glider from them. Be weary of anyone suggesting that
you shouldn't research sugar glider care online. While admittedly there
is a lot of false information on sugar glider care, most people are able
to figure out what is true and what isn't fairly easily. If in doubt,
find a few USDA licensed breeders, and ask them for reputable websites
to research sugar glider care.
As responsible sugar glider owners/lovers, we must do our best to
educate potential owners. Most importantly, don't buy a sugar glider to
"save" or "rescue" it. It only gives them room for more! Also,
understand that many flea market/trade show vendors may only be guilty
of one or two points listed above, others may be much worse.
|
