|
|
WHY YOU
CAN TRUST NASGA TM
As Sugar Gliders
become more and more popular as household pets, it also
becomes increasingly important that new owners have a TRULY
independent source where they can get OBJECTIVE information.
Unlike ANY other website, chatroom or message-board
dedicated to Sugar Gliders, the North American Sugar Glider
Association� (NASGA�) �sells� NOTHING � directly or
indirectly to our members. We also do not accept �links� or
advertisements of any kind.
Sugar Gliders can make wonderful pets,
but like any animal, they are not for everyone. As such, our
only goal is to provide potential new owners with CREDIBLE
information they can use to make the BEST possible decision
for their families.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home -
Special Bulletin -
Fun Facts -
Family
Photos -
Contact Us
- Web Links |
|
**Sugar Gliders can make wonderful family
pets.
If you are considering getting some,
here are a few helpful guidelines to follow
that will help you avoid some common mistakes.
** |
|
We STRONGLY suggest that you
PRINT out these reports. |
|
|
|
WHERE CAN
I FIND A
TRUSTWORTHY BREEDER and RELIABLE
SUGAR
GLIDER PRODUCTS?.. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As a matter of policy, The North American Sugar Glider
Association (NASGA�) cannot � and
does not - recommend or endorse any
breeders or products.
An excellent independent resource exists which objectively
compares the top 25 Sugar Glider-related
companies and websites. It is updated on
a weekly basis, and contains
professional and consumer reviews of the
most prominent Sugar Glider breeders,
websites, and products.
For
more information, go to:
www.SugarGliderReviewSite.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**Sugar Gliders can make wonderful family
pets.
If you are considering getting some,
here are a few helpful guidelines to follow
that will help you avoid some common mistakes.
** |
|
|
We STRONGLY suggest that you
PRINT out these reports. |
|
|
|
7 REASONS NOT TO BUY A
SUGAR GLIDER ONLINE( OR FROM A PET SHOP ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1) |
|
Regardless of what any
�guarantee� (written or
verbal) says, there is no
way to KNOW for sure what you
are getting over the internet:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unfortunately, in today�s
�Internet Age�, anyone can
put up at least a
somewhat-credible looking
website� copy a few things
from other sites� and LOOK
like an �expert�. Baby Sugar
Gliders (called �joeys�) can
have different temperaments
based largely on their age
and how they�ve been
treated. Despite what anyone
may �claim� during numerous
phone conversations or in
emails � the �bottom-line�
is that you REALLY have
absolutely NO guarantee of
what you are getting unless
you see the joey yourself.
Sugar Gliders can be GREAT
pets, but always keep in
mind that this is an animal
which will be a part of your
family for the next 12-15
years. Therefore, it�s
always best to take the time
and physically MEET the
people who are selling your
joey(s) to you
�face-to-face�, and follow
the 7 steps laid out for you
at the end of this report
when making
your purchase
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2) |
|
Beware of �Discount� Sugar
Gliders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
According to national
averages at this time, you
should expect to pay
anywhere between $300-$500
for a certified-healthy 8-12
week old baby Sugar Glider
(purchased from a Licensed
USDA facility). This is just
for the animal itself, and
the proper starter cage and
initial food, vitamins &
supplies will usually cost
an additional $200-$300.
When it�s all �said & done�
a single Sugar Glider with
all the necessary supplies
should cost you somewhere
between approximately $500 -
$800; and additional joeys
will be another
$300-$500/each. Keep in mind
that baby Sugar Gliders have
very specific cage and care
requirements, so be sure the
seller knows what they�re
talking about and can prove
that their cage and supplies
are specifically-made for
Sugar Gliders (and not birds
or cats).
As a Baby Sugar Glider nears
the end of the primary
�bonding phase� of its life
(usually around 12-14 weeks
out of the pouch),
unscrupulous (yet
credible-looking) internet
sites often discount their
joeys as low as $100-$150
just to get rid of them. If
they cannot sell them off to
unsuspecting new customers
who think they�re getting
�the deal of a lifetime�,
they will often dump them at
wholesale prices to a local
pet shop � who then �passes
off� these poor joeys as
sweet 8-10 week
old babies.
Due to their unique
intelligence and loving
nature, Sugar Gliders are
rapidly becoming more
popular each year as
household pets. The problem
with this is that since they
breed so slowly, (only
averaging 2-3 babies/year),
they are continually
becoming harder and harder
to find. As such, many
reputable breeders (who will
not resort to �inbreeding�
or otherwise compromising
the quality of their
animals) often have to put
new customers on �waiting
lists�.
For this reason, the only
Sugar Gliders that usually
end up in local pet shops
are ones that have been
�dumped� (primarily due to
health problems, or
behavioral issues) � and
never should have been sold
to the public in the first
place. People are often
surprised to learn that most
pet shops in the country are
not USDA Licensed � and
therefore are not required
to comply with the rigid
Federal standards for
breeding and ongoing care.
The sad fact is that unless
the seller is honest � there
is really no way to
accurately know what you are
getting � until it�s too
late. By contrast, USDA
Licensed Breeders are
required to keep accurate
in-house records of each
baby�s age - and lineage (to
avoid inbreeding) - so
getting your joeys ONLY from
certified,
Federally-Licensed breeders
is always the best way to
avoid these types of
problems.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3) |
|
Bonding problems: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One of the biggest Internet
scams going when it comes to
selling Sugar Gliders online
is that unscrupulous
internet sites will often
sell joeys that are WELL
beyond the initial �bonding
phase� of their lives. Baby
Sugar Gliders cannot be
taken away from their
mothers until they are fully
weaned (approximately 7-9
weeks out of the pouch).
Once they have been weaned,
they automatically BEGIN
�bonding� to WHOEVER � or
WHATEVER � they are
regularly exposed to; and
the majority of this process
takes place during the next
3-5 weeks.
Once the �bonding process�
is complete, (sometimes as
long a 2 months or more
after it begins), and the
joeys have become accustomed
to humans, they will
typically be very
affectionate and loving to
everyone who treats them
well. However, if the
�bonding process� does not
at least BEGIN at some point
within the initial 7-12 week
�window� of their lives, it
will take much longer for
the joey to bond � if ever.
Again,
when buying Sugar Gliders
over the Internet,
credible-looking websites
can �talk� a VERY good game
� and often guarantee
�sweet, hand-tamed joeys
shipped to an airport near
you�. In fact, if they
didn�t �sound� and �look�
extremely credible, they
wouldn�t still be in
business. However, again,
the �bottom-line� here is
that you never really KNOW
what you�ll be getting until
it arrives � and by that
time it�s often too late.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4) |
|
Hidden shipping costs: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal Law, Sugar Gliders
must be shipped on a
same-day commercial flight
designated specifically for
animals. No matter what any
Internet website may
�claim�, just the shipping
cost ALONE of a single
animal is between $150 and
$300; depending on the
airline and the time of
year. (It is important to
note that this does NOT
include shipping their
proper starter cage or
supplies.)
Over the years, we have
heard many Internet �horror�
stories where
credible-looking websites
(even a handful of sites
that claim to be USDA
Licensed) either quote a low
shipping price, or say
�they�ll absorb it� as long
as the customer purchases
more than one baby�Then,
when shipping day comes,
(and the new owners are all
excited and
anxiously-awaiting the
arrival of their new
baby(ies)), they suddenly
get an urgent call from the
seller claiming that they
just arrived at the airport,
and the airline has
�doubled� or �tripled their
prices�. They then apologize
profusely, and even pretend
to offer the customer a full
refund of their money�
However, since they know the
new parents are already
�committed� (both
financially, and more
important, EMOTIONALLY),
they know there�s a VERY
high probability that the
anxious new parents will
just go ahead and pay the
�new�, HIGHER price (usually
MUCH higher than they were
originally quoted).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5) |
|
Harmful to the animal: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most reputable sellers and
breeders (especially those
which are USDA licensed -
and therefore held
accountable for any animals
which die) will NOT
�ship� babies in less than
groups of at least 3 or 4.
No matter what anyone may
�say� via encouraging phone
calls or emails, shipping
individual or small groups
of joeys � for hours at a
time on a cold, dark
airplane - can be extremely
stressful on the animal; and
it�s not uncommon for them
die during the trip.
That being said, most
websites that sell Sugar
Gliders online will go into
great detail about how they
�guarantee� (usually in
writing) to replace any dead
animal, but as the old
saying goes:
�buyer beware�. Even if
a joey does survive the
trip, many times it will
take weeks for them to
recover from the experience
� and this can lead to
ongoing medical
complications such as
Giardia outbreaks, etc� (see
below)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6) |
|
No USDA License: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
�
Bottom-Line��NEVER buy a
Sugar Glider from a person
or company that is not USDA
licensed � no matter how
great the �price� or �story�
may be�In fact, in some
states, it is actually
ILLEGAL to own a Sugar
Glider which was not
directly purchased from a
Federally-Licensed USDA
Facility �
and it
is the OWNER�S
responsibility to provide
documentation proving each
animal�s origin.
More and more states are
amending their laws like
this each year to raise the
standards of pet ownership.
That being said, most
Internet websites and
message boards nowadays will
attempt to tell you that
getting a baby from a
licensed USDA Facility is no
guarantee that your animal
will be healthy. To be quite
frank, the people who make
statements like this do so
because either: 1) they
don�t want to subject
themselves to the extreme
ongoing scrutiny, high
standards of Veterinary
care, and �surprise health
inspections� that all go
along with holding a coveted
USDA License, or 2) for some
reason they CAN�Tget a USDA
License.
The simple fact is that
(unlike cats, dogs, or many
other household pets) Sugar
Gliders cannot legally be
bred in the United States in
groups larger than 2
breeding females without a
USDA License
Knowing this, many �Internet
operations� actually LURE in
unsuspecting new customers
by carefully cultivating the
appearance that they are
small, �home-grown�, mom &
pop operations who only sell
�suggies� born to their own
�personal family pets��They
come up with long,
great-sounding stories about
how they spend HOURS with
their �suggies�
every day - and personally
�hand-tame� every
joey
before they go off to their
new homes.
Some of the REALLY �slick�
ones even take it a step
further, and actually
pretend to �interview� the
new parents so they can make
sure their �beloved little
babies� will be going to a
good home. This whole �act�
can be VERY convincing, but
again��buyer beware�.
�Bottom-Line�: DON�T BE
FOOLED BY ANY OF THESE
INTERNET SCAMS�If they have
a website, and/or are
selling even ONE baby
through some online message
board or chat room � don�t
take ANY chances.
Again, this is an animal
which is going to be a
loving part of your family
for the next 12-15 years.
That being said, it�s always
best to MEET the people you
are buying your joeys from
�in person� � and ASK TO SEE
A PHYSICAL COPY of their
USDA License. Never rely on
people �saying� they are
licensed � or even
posting
a �USDA #� on their
website.
Also, don�t place much
importance on �testimonials�
from other customers � (even
if they offer to give you
their phone numbers).
This type of thing �sounds�
good on the surface, but in
reality you have no way of
knowing if they actually ARE
customers; and no website
would ever give out a �bad
testimonial� anyway.
Look the seller �straight in
the eyes�, and ASK to see a
copy of their physical
Federal License before you
buy. ANY reputable USDA
breeder will not be offended
by this � and will gladly
show you their
certification.
It�s a �badge of honor� that
is hard to get � and even
harder to KEEP!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7) |
|
Hidden Medical Expenses
Associated with Shipping: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
While there can always be
�surprise� medical expenses
associated with getting any new
pet, when put under severe
stress, baby Sugar Gliders are
particularly susceptible to a wide range of potential medical problems.
While these are usually easily treated when
caught early enough, they can often
cause severe dehydration and
even kill a baby Glider in just
a matter of a few days�
The simple act of going into a
new home (with all the new
sights, smells and sounds)
is stressful enough on any new
baby, but NOTHING puts a joey
under more stress than spending
hours being shipped on a cold,
dark airplane. There
ARE ways to do it correctly, but
very few reputable breeders will
agree to do this because it
costs A MINIMUM of several
hundred dollars per animal.
Beware of anyone who claims
anything else � regardless of
how great they sound over the
phone or how credible their
website looks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 THINGS TO ASK BEFORE BUYING A SUGAR
GLIDER:
WHEN
PURCHASING A SUGAR GLIDER, IT�S ALWAYS
BEST TO PHYSICALLY MEET THE PEOPLE YOU
ARE BUYING FROM
�IN PERSON�.
USE
COMMON-SENSE AND ASK YOURSELF
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
1)
DOES THEIR OPERATION LOOK
CREDIBLE AND PROFESSIONAL?
2) DO
THEY SOUND KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE
ANIMALS?
Ask a lot of questions�
3)
WILL THEY LET YOU HOLD THEIR ADULT
ANIMALS? Reputable
breeders usually will not let you
handle young babies, but you can tell a
GREAT deal about the seller�s overall
operation and true level of
expertise by playing with their ADULT
animals. If you are dealing face-to-face
with a reputable breeder, their adults
should be DOCILE and very easy to
handle (even though they don�t �know�
you). If they have them on �leashes� �
or they make up ANY �excuse� as to why
you can�t hold their adult
animals � walk away�
4) DO
THEY PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT
AFTER THE SALE?
Any
reputable USDA licensed breeder should
go �out-of-their-way� to stay in touch
WITH YOU and answer questions after
the sale. The best ones will actually
have a formal, ongoing education program
already in place
for all their new customers, designed to
give you all the information you�ll
need.
5)
WILL THEY GIVE YOU THEIR PERSONAL CELL
PHONES AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES?
6) DO
THEY HAVE A FEDERAL USDA LICENSE?
Ask to see a physical copy of it. Any
reputable breeder will be happy to show
it to you.
7)
BABY SUGAR GLIDERS ARE IN GREATER DEMAND
THAN EVER
BEFORE.
As
such, it�s not unusual to have to
�order� your joey(s) � and then pick
them up in a few weeks. In the event you
are ordering babies, make sure to
specifically ask if the seller if your
joey(s) are being �flown-in� � or
DRIVEN in to be hand-delivered.
This is VERY important. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you are
seriously considering buying
Sugar Gliders, check out the
reputation of the breeder and/or
website you are dealing with at:
www.SugarGliderReviewSite.com
This site contains objective
professional and consumer
reviews of the top 25 Sugar
Glider websites and breeders in
the U.S.. It is updated weekly,
and will give you a quick,
reliable snapshot of the people
you are dealing with... |
|
|
We STRONGLY suggest that you
PRINT out these reports. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**Sugar Gliders can make wonderful family
pets.
If you are considering getting some,
here are a few helpful guidelines to follow
that will help you avoid some common mistakes.
** |
|
|
We STRONGLY suggest that you
PRINT out these reports. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Do Sugar Gliders |
|
|
REALLY make good pets?.. |
|
|
|
|
Cutting through the 8 most
|
|
|
common internet "Myths" & scams |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUMMARY:
While the internet can be a wonderful
source of information, when it comes to
purchasing a Sugar Glider, unfortunately
the web is full of credible-LOOKING
websites, chat rooms and message boards
which are being operated by unlicensed,
self-proclaimed experts. see "Beware of
Sugar Glider Chatrooms and Message
Boards" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As such, the North
American Sugar Glider Association TM (NASGA)
was originally created as a one-top
"clearing house" where potential new owners
can come to get basic information about
raising and caring for Sugar Gliders That
is: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1) SAFE |
|
|
|
2) FACTUAL |
|
|
|
3) RELIABLE, and |
|
|
|
4) NON-BIASED |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
the information
presented on this site
is completely FREE and
has been screened and
fact-checked for
accuracy by a highly
experienced team of
LICENSED animal care
professionals -
including Veterinarians who are very experienced in sugar glider care and research.
Unlike ANY other
website, chat room, or
message board dedicated
to Sugar Gliders, NASGA�
sells NOTHING � directly
or indirectly. We
also do not accept
�links� or
advertisements of any
kind.
All
that being said, the
subject of this Special
Bulletin is to help
potential new owners
�cut through� all the
internet MYTHS and SCAMS
that can lead them down
the wrong path.
One of the most common
�tactics� being used out
on the Internet today to
�lure in� unsuspecting
potential new owners is
to post
attention-grabbing links
on popular search
engines with titles
like: �Pet
Drawbacks�, �Gliderpedia�,
�Know the Downside
First�, etc..
These articles then go
on to list a wide range
of MYTHS about owning
Sugar Gliders that can
be quite alarming to
someone who is just
thinking about getting
one or more as household
pets.
Once they have gained
the attention � and
trust - of the reader,
(under the guise of
�simply presenting the
facts�), these sites
- NONE of which have the
required
Federal USDA Licensing
- then often try and
illegally SELL the
reader THEIR OWN animals
and supplies via their
online chat rooms or
message boards.
For more information
about the dangers of
these so-called �expert�
websites,
see �Beware of Sugar
Glider Chatrooms and
Message Boards�
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All
that being said, lets now examine the 8
most common internet "MYTHS" about
owning Sugar Gliders as pets -
present the FACTS.... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ABANDONMENT RATE &
"GLIDER RESCUES":
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MYTH: "Sugar Gliders are so
difficult to care for what the
majority of new owners give up
on them within a year and 'dump'
them into animals shelters or
"Glider rescues".."Tens
of thousands
of Gliders are abandoned every
year because people simply can't
keep up with the extraordinary
amount of care they need...." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALITY: Of all the current
internet "myths" out there
pertaining to Sugar Gliders,
this is probably the easiest of
all prove wrong. All you have to
do is pick up the phone and call
your local animal shelter and in
almost EVERY case you will find
that either: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- they've never had a
SINGLE Sugar Glider in their shelter or
- they've never seen more
than one or two in the last DECADE.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The simple fact is that when new
owners: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Purchase their babies
directly from Federally-Licensed USDA Breeder,
and
- They are given the
proper dietary and care instruction with their
new babies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sugar Gliders are
actually LESS difficult
(and significantly less
expensive) to care for
than many other
household pets.
There are several
important reasons why
you should only consider
buying animals directly
from a
Federally-Licensed USDA
Breeder.
See �7 Reasons not to
buy a Sugar Glider
online or from a Pet
Shop�
In
recent years, Sugar
Gliders have become so
popular � and
therefore valuable �
that a popular scam has
popped up where
�overwhelmed owners� can
now donate their animals
to organizations who
misleadingly call
themselves �Sugar Glider
Rescues��
The
simple fact is that NO
legitimate �Sugar Glider
Rescue� is
actively-collecting
�abandoned� Sugar
Gilders on a daily basis
anywhere in the U.S. �
NOT ONE� In
nearly every case, what
REALLY happens is that
these so-called
�rescues� are actually
operated �behind the
scenes� by the same
unscrupulous internet
chat rooms and message
boards who often
illegally sell Sugar
Gliders online.
see �Beware of Sugar
Glider Chat Rooms and
Message Boards�.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here�s how the majority
of Sugar Glider
�Rescues� actually work�
1)
A potential new owner is
discouraged from buying
Gliders from a licensed
USDA Breeder � and
instead is encouraged to
get their animals from
�trusted�, �expert�
members of their own
chat room or message
board�
2)
The new owner is then
strongly encouraged to
follow extremely
complicated,
time-consuming care
routines; including
feeding the animals
grossly outdated and
costly diets�.
3)
In the event the new
owner does eventually
become �overwhelmed�,
one of the �trusted�
members of the group
then steps up and
selflessly volunteers to
�rescue� the animal�
4)
The animal is then
RE-SOLD to the next new
�newbie� that comes
along, claiming that
it�s now been
�hand-tamed��
As noted earlier, the
simple fact is the NO
legitimate �Sugar Glider
Rescues� are actively
operating anywhere in
the
U.S..
In fact, as of the date
this report was written,
only ONE group has
applied for � and
received � non-profit
status. However,
according to their own
statements, they have
only been able to adopt
less than 5 Sugar
Gliders in the ENTIRE
UNITED STATES.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMPLICATED DIET: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MYTH: �Sugar
Gliders require an
exotic, expensive, and
very complicated diet��
�They cannot survive on
dry and/or pellet type
foods�� �If you
are squeamish about
having to handle live
insects, worms and grubs
every day, you should
not own a Sugar Glider�� |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALITY:
This is just
one example of
the extremely
outdated � and
often dangerous
� care
information
routinely posted
on unlicensed
internet
chatrooms and
websites.
While it was
true TEN YEARS
AGO that Sugar
Gliders required
a diet
consisting of
special mixtures
of insects and
other �live�
foods - in the
last several
years TREMENDOUS
advances in
nutritional
science have
resulted in a
handful of very
SAFE and
EFFECTIVE
commercial
�pelleted� foods
and powdered
vitamin
supplements
which in fact
greatly EXCEED
the nutritional
values of the
older, outdated
diets.
These advanced,
scientifically-balanced
diets have been
developed and
approved by
LICENSED Doctors
of Veterinary
Medicine who
specialize in
Sugar Glider
care � and are
proven to be
both safe and
effective.
When fed the
correct diet of:
1)
Veterinarian-approved
pelleted food,
2) fresh fruits
& vegetables,
and 3) a
Veterinarian-approved,
calcium-based
multivitamin
supplement, it
should only cost
an average of
less than $10
per month to
feed a single
animal.
Any reputable,
Federally-Licensed
USDA Breeder
will be able to
provide you with
a written
dietary plan
that is both
simple for you �
and healthy for
your Gliders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MESS & ODOR: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MYTH: �Sugar
Gliders constantly mark
their territory and are
very smelly animals much
like a ferret or skunk��
�Their cage needs to be
constantly cleaned��
�
Poo and pee on
your clothes, skin,
hair, and furniture is a
constant with these
animals��
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALITY:
This myth
directly relates
back to the
earlier
misinformation
that you somehow
HAVE to feed
your Gliders
�live� foods;
like worms,
crickets,
grasshoppers -
and even baby
mice - in order
for them to be
healthy.
While it is
possible that
Sugar Gliders
can develop an
odor similar to
� but not as
strong as � a
ferret; the
primary cause of
this odor is
feeding them an
old, outdated
diet containing
LIVE foods and
meat-based
proteins.
The fact is that
several years
ago nutritional
science greatly
simplified the
entire process
of caring for
Sugar Gliders
(in many ways)
with the
development of
scientifically-balanced
pellet food
diets. For
example, some of
the
more-advanced
pelleted foods
even contain
proprietary
ingredients
specifically-designed
to prohibit
odors; and Sugar
Gliders who are
fed this diet on
a daily basis
will usually
have almost NO
discernable
smell.
While it is true
that Sugar
Gliders
technically
cannot be
�potty-trained�,
they are
instinctively
very clean
little animals
who never
require bathing
of any kind.
Their bathroom
habits are very
predictable, and
in many ways
they are similar
to humans.
For example,
when we wake up
from a long nap,
usually the
first thing we
want to do is go
to the bathroom
� and Sugar
Gliders are no
different.
Therefore, by 1)
learning their
potty habits,
and 2)
thoroughly
�de-pooping/peeing�
them before
letting them run
around -
�accidents�
typically become
few and far
between in a
relatively short
period of time.
Most reputable
breeders will
provide you with
detailed
instructions on
exactly how to
do this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOISE: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MYTH: �Sugar
Gliders are very noisy,
and worse, they are
noisy all night long��
�Their barking and
crabbing and hissing and
various cage noises,
including clanks, bangs
and constant exercise
wheel�s running, can
keep you up all night
and will ruin your day�� |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALITY:
The simple fact
is that Sugar
Gliders
themselves do
not make an
inordinate level
of noise when
compared to
other
traditional
household pets.
They are capable
of making
several sounds,
including a
barking sound
(similar to a
Chihuahua), and
a chattering
sound (called
crabbing) that
is similar to a
locust.
However, in most
cases the only
times a Glider
will make these
noises for any
sustained period
of time are when
they are
either sick,
mistreated, or
distressed.
For example,
based on most studies,
�barking� at
night seems to
be caused
primarily by
loneliness or
boredom.
In this
situation,
simply going
into the room
and talking
to/playing with
them for a few
minutes � or
turning on a
nightlight near
their cage �
will almost
always settle
them right down.
The more time
you spend with
Sugar Gliders,
the more amazing
it becomes just
how similar they
are to human
children �
especially in
how they respond
to love and
attention.
Having said all
this, the VAST
majority of
noises which
typically come
from a Sugar
Glider�s cage at
night are
actually caused
by the TOYS and
other items
placed inside
the cage.
Again, just like
human children,
Gliders LOVE to
play with toys
of all kinds �
so if you want a
quiet house,
then just make
sure to get toys
that don�t make
loud sounds.
Sugar Gliders
will play with
almost any type
of cat, dog,
bird, or baby
toy.
Therefore,
before placing
any such item in
their cage, it�s
best to remove
anything (like
bells, etc..)
that could make
noise.
Of all the toys
you can give a
Sugar Glider �
NONE will be
used more than
their exercise
wheel.
Therefore, if
you can only
afford to get
them one toy �
THIS is the one
to get.
When selecting
an exercise
wheel, it�s
important to
note that the
typical �hamster
or gerbil�
wheels found in
pet shops are
NOT recommended
for Sugar
Gliders. This
is because their
long,
semi-prehensile
tail can easily
get caught in
the wheel and
cause serious
injury to the
animal.
Currently there
are a handful of
�glider-safe�
exercise wheels
on the market,
and you just
want to make
sure and get the
one which is the
QUIETEST.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BITING: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MYTH: �Sugar
Gliders are exotic
animals and many people
have had problems with
biters�� �Some
people have needed to
get stitches because of
how deep a Sugar Glider
can bite�� �They
are NOT suitable as pets
for children�� |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALITY:
Sugar
Gliders
are NOT
considered
an
�exotic�
animal.
When
they
were
first
brought
into the
U.S.
around
15 years
ago,
they
were
automatically
�lumped
in� with
all the
other
exotic
species
being
brought
into the
country
at the
time.
In the
last
decade,
almost
every
state
has
since
reclassified
them as
domestic
�pocket
pets� or
�companion
pets� �
largely
due to
their
popularity
and
friendly,
loving
personalities.
In fact,
as of
the date
this
report
was
written
only 2
states
in the
contiguous
48
states
still do
not
allow
them as
pets. In
May of
2008,
the
Governor
of
Georgia
(who
himself
is a
licensed
Veterinarian)
was the
latest
to
legalize
Sugar
Gliders
as
�companion
household
pets�
which do
not
require
any
permits
or
licensing
of any
kind.
Due to a
recent
surge in
substandard,
�mom &
pop�
breeders
out on
the
Internet,
many
states
(like
Georgia)
are now
amending
their
existing
laws
REQUIRING
that
owners
can ONLY
buy
their
animals
directly
from a
federally-license
USDA
Breeder.
Any
reputable
breeder
will be
able to
tell you
the
local
laws in
your
area
regarding
the
purchase
and
ownership
of Sugar
Gilders.
See
�7
Reasons
not to
buy a
Sugar
Glider
online
or from
a Pet
Shop�
While
any
animal
with
teeth
CAN
bite,
the
simple
fact is
that
Sugar
Gliders
RARELY
do.
The
exceptions
are
juvenile
or adult
animals
that
were
never
properly
bonded
with
their
owners.
In
almost
every
such
situation,
the
cause of
this is
that the
owners
were
never
properly
shown,
step-by-step,
HOW to
bond
with
their
young
baby.
Again,
this
issue is
usually
EASILY
avoided
by
purchasing
babies
ONLY
from a
Federally-Licensed
USDA
Breeder
who has
a
written,
formal
educational
program
AFTER
the sale
to help
show you
exactly
how to
care for
- and
bond
with -
your new
babies.
As any
properly-equipped
Sugar
Glider
owner
will
tell
you, the
�bonding
process�
can be
one of
the most
fun and
rewarding
parts of
owning
Sugar
Gliders,
and a
well-trained
Glider
can make
an
amazing
lifelong
companion
for the
entire
family.
The simple fact is that there has
never been a
SINGLE
documented case
anywhere in the
U.S. where a
Sugar Glider
owner has EVER
required
stitches for a
bite � NOT ONE.
This is largely
due to the fact
that a Sugar
Glider�s jaw
structure is
MUCH different
than that of
hamsters or
gerbils (which
by contrast send
children to
hospitals for
stitches every
day).
A Sugar Glider�s
teeth and jaws
are structured
very similarly
to �tweezers� in
that they
primarily point
outward and are
designed to
�pinch� or catch
insects. By
contrast, a
rodent�s teeth (ie.
hamster, gerbil,
rabbit,
etc..)
are all designed
to bite down
with great
force, and
�shear� objects
in two. If
a Sugar Glider
should happen to
�nip�, it�s
almost always a
YOUNG BABY who
is simply scared
and has not yet
completely
bonded with
their new owner.
In this
situation, their
jaws and teeth
are still SO
small and weak
that the bite
feels similar to
a firm �pinch�,
and rarely � if
ever �breaks
the skin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TIME INTENSIVE: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MYTH: �You
absolutely MUST have at
least two Gliders or
they will die of
loneliness��
�Human contact is no
substitute for
their own kind��
�You have to spend a
minimum of 12-14 hours a
day with a sugar glider
or it will self-mutilate
or die�� |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALITY:
It is true that
Sugar Gliders
are very social
animals by
nature, and they
make excellent
�family pets�
because they
tend to want to
bond to a whole
�group� of
people. In
other words,
they�re not
usually a �one
person animal� �
and this is
primarily due to
the fact that in
the wild they
live in
�colonies� of
10-15 other
Gliders (and are
instinctively
very
�communal�).
Having said
that, ANY animal
is always going
to be happiest
when it has a
playmate of
it�s own
species � so
whenever
possible it is
always optimal
to get a pair of
babies.
If your budget
will only allow
you to get just
one animal, then
the best thing
to do is just
plan on spending
as much time
with it as
possible.
Fortunately,
this is usually
a VERY easy
thing to do,
because unlike
most other
household pets,
Sugar Gliders
don�t require a
lot of DIRECT
attention.
They are quite
content just
riding around
with you almost
anywhere - and
hanging out in
your shirt or in
a pocket.
Since they
�bond� so
strongly with
their owners, it
is VERY unusual
that a
fully-bonded
Glider will ever
TRY to leave its
owner � and many
people routinely
take them
everywhere they
go; including
grocery stores,
movie theatres,
motorcycle
riding, etc..
To help new
owners, many
reputable USDA
breeders also
offer discounts
for purchasing a
second animal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HOUSING: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MYTH: �Sugar Gliders
must have extremely
large cages or entire
rooms in your home
dedicated JUST to them��
�Anything smaller is
cruel and abusive to the
animals�� |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALITY:
Again,
this
myth is
based on
very
old,
and
outdated
information.
Recent
Veterinary research has
shown
that the
ideal
cage
size for
a young
Sugar
Glider
is
actually
around 2
feet x 2
feet x 2
feet.
Anything
larger
results
in much
lower
activity
levels,
and
significantly
interferes
with the
bonding
process.
Multiple
Veterinary
reports
now
confirm
that
this
cage
size is
also
adequate
for up
to 2
adult
Sugar
Gliders.
For
adult
animals,
a larger
cage is
always
better,
and
several
standard
�aviary�
style
cages �
measuring
roughly
2 feet x
3 feet x
2
feet
(or
larger)-
are
readily
available.
According to recent
Veterinary
research,
the actual construction
of a
Sugar
Glider�s
cage is
actually
MUCH
more
important
than its
size.
For
example,
the
ideal
cage for
young
Sugar
Gliders
should
be
constructed
of
stainless
steel
wire
�mesh� �
with
holes no
larger
than ���
x 1� �
and the
wire
should
be
coated
with PVC
plastic
to
prevent
zinc
poisoning.
For
larger,
adult
animals
a
standard
�aviary�
style
bird
cage is
usually
the most
practical
option.
However,
the
single
most
important
factor
to
consider
when
purchasing
this
type of
cage is
the
coating
on the
bars.
All the
bars and
surfaces
of the
cage
should
be
coated
with a
HIGH-grade
epoxy or
powder-coating
� NOT
paint or
cheap
powder-coating.
Almost
all bird
cages
are made
in China
today �
and the
cheap
coatings
which
normally
come
standard
on these
cages
typically
begins
flaking
off
after a
few
months
(revealing
the
low-grade
metal
beneath).
This can
cause
zinc-poisoning
contracted
when the
Glider
cleans
its fur
and then
licks
the
metal
residue
into
their
system.
Most
aviary-style
cages on
the
market
today
look
IDENTICAL,
so
before
purchasing
one, be
sure to
check on
the type
of
coating
it has.
A
quality
cage
with the
correct
coating
will
definitely
cost a
few
dollars
more -
but
considering
potential
consequences
� this
is one
area
where it
does NOT
usually
pay to
save a
few
dollars.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMPLICATED HEALTH
PROBLEMS: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MYTH: �Sugar
Gilder health problems
can be bizarre as well
as emotionally and
financially draining��
�Finding a Vet who can
treat them is
practically impossible�� |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALITY:
This is again,
an old myth
based on VERY
outdated
information.
Over the last
decade, Sugar
Gliders have
become extremely
popular as
household pets �
and if one
should happen to
get sick, almost
any Vet who
already works on
other small
mammals like
hamsters and
gerbils will
easily be able
to work on them.
Unlike most
other household
pets, Sugar
Gliders require
NO vaccinations
(or ongoing
health care such
as heartworm or
flea
medications, etc..)
of any kind � in
ANY state �
simply because
they have not
been shown to
carry any
serious
illnesses.
In fact there has
never been a
SINGLE
documented case
in the U.S. of a
Sugar Glider
ever passing
along an illness
to a human
being.
Contrast this
with cats, dogs,
turtles,
iguanas, and
other common
household pets -
which routinely
pass along a
wide range of
illnesses to
humans every
day.
Even so, normal
sanitary
precautions like
washing hands
before and after
handling ANY
animal are
always
recommended.
In most cases,
if a Sugar
Glider should
happen to get
sick, it is
almost always
the result of
either: 1)
feeding them a
poorly-designed,
outdated diet,
and/or 2)
inadequate care.
Again, these
problems are
usually easily
avoided simply
by following the
written,
Veterinarian-approved
care plan
provided by a
Federally-Licensed
USDA Breeder �
and any such
reputable
breeder should
easily be able
to provide this
to you at no
charge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you are
seriously considering buying
Sugar Gliders, check out the
reputation of the breeder and/or
website you are dealing with at:
www.SugarGliderReviewSite.com
This site contains objective
professional and consumer
reviews of the top 25 Sugar
Glider websites and breeders in
the U.S.. It is updated weekly,
and will give you a quick,
reliable snapshot of the people
you are dealing with... |
|
|
We STRONGLY suggest that you
PRINT out these reports. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**Sugar Gliders can make wonderful
family pets.
If you are considering getting some,
here are a few helpful guidelines to
follow
that will help you avoid some common
mistakes. **
|
|
|
We STRONGLY suggest that you
PRINT out these reports. |
|
|
|
BEWARE OF SUGAR GLIDER CHAT
ROOMS
AND MESSAGE BOARDS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
**NOTE**:
This article is a
must-read for anyone who is
thinking about owning a
Sugar Glider.
It is the result of
hundreds of hours of
research conducted on behalf
of the North American Sugar
Glider Association by
licensed private
investigators and their
agents.
It was commissioned by NASGA
after receiving numerous,
ongoing complaints from licensed animal care
professionals, Veterinarians, and concerned
members
regarding misleading and
slanderous information
routinely posted on numerous
internet message boards and
chat rooms.
SUMMARY:
The Internet can be a
wonderful tool for doing
research before buying a
product or service. However,
when it comes to purchasing
a pet of any kind, one
should be highly-skeptical
of ANY information posted on
internet chat rooms or
message boards.
Nowhere is this
more apparent than in the
dozens of message boards and
chat rooms that have
appeared in recent years
regarding Sugar Gliders.
While seemingly �harmless� �
and even inviting - on the
surface, Sugar Glider chat
rooms and message boards are
a highly-dangerous and VERY
misleading place from which
to get information about
caring for Sugar Gliders.
In many
cases, the care and
nutritional advice they give
to their members is
extremely outdated and
directly contrary to more
current resources that have
been independently reviewed
and approved by
Veterinarians and Research
Facilities who specialize in
Sugar Glider care.
Furthermore, many chat rooms
and message boards routinely
launch completely unfounded
internet �smear campaigns�
against reputable persons or
entities that disagree with
them � all the while selling
their own competitive
products or animals behind
the scenes (often illegally
and under assumed screen
names).
In several cases examined
during this investigation,
following the care advice
provided on these various
Sugar Glider chat rooms and
message boards � (none of
which hold a USDA License) -
appears to have directly
resulted in the premature
death of animals.
To be
clear, Sugar glider chat
rooms and message boards are
an �online community� which
is not held to ANY standards
of truthfulness, accuracy,
or bias; and they cannot be
considered a source of
reliable information
regarding the feeding and
care of Sugar Gliders
(see
San Diego University' s
"Evaluating Sources" for
more information.)
In summary, it is strongly
recommended that anyone
considering the purchase of
a Sugar Glider only rely
directly on WRITTEN care
advice provided by either:
1) a
Federally-licensed, USDA
Sugar Glider Breeder who is
under the supervision of a
licensed Veterinarian that
specializes in Sugar Glider
care*, and/or
2) a
licensed Veterinarian who
specialized in Sugar Glider
care*.
*A
Veterinarian who sees � or
oversees
- a
minimum of 300
Sugar
Gliders per year as a part
of their normal practice.
***************************
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DEFINITION:
For those less-familiar with
what an online �chat room�
or �message board� is,
Webster�s defines them as:
�a
location on the Internet
where participants who share
a similar interest
can
post messages to one another
without revealing
their
identity��
That being said, when it
comes to Sugar Glider chat
rooms and message boards, it
is critically important to
stress that they are NOT:
a scientifically-based,
independent source of
Veterinary or
scholarly
research
a
reliable source of
information which is held to
the standards and practices
required by Veterinary
Resources, certified
research facilities, or
licensed animal
professionals.
a
resource where postings are
required to be truthful and free of prejudice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE DANGERS:
One experienced Veterinarian
who was interviewed for this
article summed up the
dangers of relying on Sugar
Glider chat rooms and
message boards as follows:
�Getting information about
how to care for ANY animal �
especially a Sugar Glider �
from an internet chat room
or message board community
is no different than
deciding to let your
children get their entire
sex education from a
junior-high lunchroom� For
sure, there will be lots of
opinions that more-or-less
all agree with each other� a
handful of facts here and
there� and even a few people
with a very limited scope
of
experience�
However, what you WON�T find
is any
scientifically-validated,
RELIABLE information put
forth by licensed
professionals that could
help them avoid making
mistakes that could severely
hurt - or even kill - them��
That being said, the first
time many people come across
one of these Sugar Glider
�chat rooms�, they are often
immediately delighted to
find that there is
supposedly a whole
�community� of other people
out there who
appear to be: 1) more
knowledgeable than they are
about Sugar Gliders, and 2)
dedicated to honestly and
openly sharing information
for �the good of the
glider�.
They are eagerly �welcomed
in� by anonymous individuals
with humorous (but
revealing) screen
designations such as:
�Glider Slave�
- �Glider
Lover� - �Glider Addict�
and
�Glider Guardian�
and
even more misleading
�titles� (which attempt to
award some sort of �expert
status� on their anonymous
participants) such as:
�Senior Glider Member��
and
�Master
Glider Member�
It is important to point out
that � in the
hundreds of hours which went
into researching this
article � our
investigative team could not
locate even ONE member of
ANY Sugar Glider chat room
or message board (regardless
of their �title�) who is
actually a licensed
Veterinarian.
Instead, when we
attempted to question the
supposed �senior� members of
many of these sites about
the number of Sugar Gliders
that THEY themselves had
actually raised � we were
routinely met with
defensive, �how dare you�
type attitudes coming from
individuals who were
genuinely offended that
anyone would even DARE to
question
their authority.
Out of the handful who did
eventually answer this
question, none of them had
raised even 30 Sugar Gliders
to adulthood themselves �
and most have been illegally
breeding and selling their
own babies for years to
their online �membership�
without the required
USDA license.
In fact, the longer our
investigation continued, the
more we found the same
deceptive patterns of
slanderous gossip and
hidden-agendas repeating
themselves over and over
again.
For example, once the
unsuspecting newcomer is
�welcomed� into a typical
Sugar Glider �message
board�, if they pay close
attention they will soon
notice that only a
relatively small �core
group� of members actually
POST regularly on these chat
rooms (usually less
than 20
out of the supposedly
hundreds-of-thousands of
members many message boards
claim to have).
These
individuals almost always
zealously and passionately
promote one SINGLE way of
feeding and caring for Sugar
Gliders � and they are
backed up by a slightly
larger group (50-60) of even
less-experienced,
�part-time� members who
basically just repeat
whatever the leaders of
their group say.
In essence, it�s
�the blind leading
the blind��
While this �core� and their
constituents are always VERY
friendly and inviting
up-front � (and they always
claim to be totally
objective and �open to new
ideas�) - in reality, in
every case we investigated
we found that they will
immediately launch vicious
and slanderous �smear
campaigns� against any other
resource (credible or
otherwise) that promotes
ALTERNATIVE methods of
feeding and caring for Sugar
Gliders; (even verifiable
sources that have been
reviewed and approved by
licensed Veterinarians).
In many cases, as a part of
their ongoing smear
campaign, they attempt to
back up their claims with an
endless stream of completely
unverifiable, 3rd-party
statements, like:
�my Vet said
xxxx�,
or �there are LOTS
of people on this forum that
got suckered in by
xxxxxxxxxx, and their
animals died.
etc.
. etc.
. �.
These remarks are
then immediately picked up,
repeated � and amplified �
in numerous threads and
postings by other
passionate, part-time
members of �the community� �
all of whom have NO direct
knowledge of the actual
situation, or evidence to
back up their claims against
the targeted entity or
individual.
Unfortunately, when one
spends hundreds of hours
reviewing and fact-checking
thousands of posts - and
then conversing with
�senior� members on these
chat rooms and message
boards for hours - (as we
did while researching this
article); it soon becomes
painfully obvious that
�the genuine
advancement of Sugar Glider
knowledge� is
NOwhere
on their agenda.
For the innocent newcomer
then, what usually starts
out as a light-hearted �
sincere - quest for a little
more information, suddenly
turns into something similar
to encountering a �bully &
their gang� on an elementary
school playground the MINUTE
one dares question the
legitimacy of their
authority or advice.
The following 2 posts are
just one of MANY, very
�typical� examples of the
type of hurtful �surprise�
experienced by well-meaning
persons when they finally
find out what these Sugar
Glider �chat rooms� and
�message boards� are REALLY
all about�
***********************************
�Somebody told me to stand
up for what I believe is
right, so here it is.
Lately the bashing in this
group has grown more and
more intolerable. I haven't
posted for quite a while
because I don't think that
everybody is allowed to ask
the questions that they
want, or express their
opinions without somebody
coming down on them for it,
myself included.
I love my gliders�but it's
just gotten out of control.
When people get criticized
or worse, kicked out of the
group for expressing their
opinions, or asking
questions, I find that
extremely sad. I
thought that we were
supposed to be here to learn
from, and HELP each other. I
will just go elsewhere for
my information. �
2 RESPONSES from other
members:
� I
have to say that I agree. .
It is better that I get
advice elsewhere. It's sad
and hypocritical to kick
someone off for stating
their opinion� If I wanted
drama, I would just turn on
General
Hospital.
. �
�I must say I agree�I have
come here to learn more
about those precious animals
we all love so much, but all
I get in my email box is
this CRAP!. . �
***********************************
In addition to viciously
attacking their own members,
one of the most harmful
consequences of this
misleading �fa�ade� is often
that LEGITIMATE resources of
good,
scientifically-verifiable
advances in Sugar Glider
care and nutrition (many of
which have been reviewed and
approved by Veterinarians
who specialize in Sugar
Glider care and research)
are immediately subjected to
an endless barrage of
vicious and slanderous
attacks.
Upon
investigating a handful of
the most blatant instances,
we uncovered an ongoing
�soap opera� of personal
vendettas and smear
campaigns against a handful
of people and entities.
The most common scenario was
to single out a particular
person or entity; (usually a
Federally-licensed Sugar
Glider breeding facility) �
and regardless of
their actual, documented
record � immediately
label them as a �Glider
Mill�.
Upon �BRANDING� them with
this inflammatory,
emotionally-charged label,
the handful of �core�
members (again,
usually less than 12 � and
almost always claiming
purely altruistic motives &
even pretending to be
�Sugar Glider rescuers�)
will begin to post extremely
derogatory accusations -
often stating them as if
they were proven �facts� -
about the target person or
entity.
These posts are then
immediately: 1) seized upon,
2) repeated, and 3)
further magnified by other
less-experienced (but very
emotional) members of the
group � all without offering
even one piece of objective,
verifiable proof to back up their claims.
The typical string of
accusations usually
includes:
1)
selling inbred or sick
animals,
2)
recommending a diet or some
type of care that is harmful
to Sugar Gliders,
3)
selling babies that are too
young, and
4)selling
animals which later died due
to some type of malnutrition
or neglect before they were
sold.
In some extreme cases, these
supposedly �objective� chat
rooms and message boards
even make up
completely-false rumors of
massive �class-action
lawsuits� being filed by
Veterinarians against the
target of their anger.
To be clear, in each such
instance we investigated,
there was absolutely NO
objective, incontrovertible
evidence that of any of the
allegations posted on any of
these chat rooms and message
boards were true� none.
In fact
- to the contrary
- most of the persons and/or
entities we investigated for
this article which had been
�targeted� by these chat
room and message board
�smear campaigns� have
impeccable track records -
and are highly-regarded by
both State and Federal
Regulatory Authorities as
the best in their field.
Not surprisingly, for the
unsuspecting person who
innocently stumbles across
one of these sites, (usually
because they are just
thinking about getting a
Sugar Glider as a pet for
their family), reading
numerous such inflammatory
�claims� on these message
boards can be very alarming.
Based
upon our investigation of
the facts, this is exactly
their designed INTENT (i. e.
to instill fear,
intimidation, and doubt) �
regardless of actual facts,
or the truth.
Along these same lines,
another favorite �tactic�
routinely employed by Sugar
Glider chat rooms and
message boards is to try to
scare or intimidate the
facilities or meeting venues
which host events where
Sugar Gliders are being
sold.
The usual approach begins
with posting the meeting
facility�s telephone number
on their website�
Then, the core
�ring-leaders� of each chat
room encourages their
membership to call-in and
try to flood the venue�s
phone lines with: 1) false
complaints about the
person/entity that is
selling animals � and 2)
hollow threats of �impending
demonstrations�.
The typical string of
accusations they �call-in�
usually
includes:
1)
claiming they�re a customer
of the targeted vendor - and
their
animal died,
2)
pretending to be a
Veterinarian (a felony)
claiming that the targeted
vendor is selling sick or
malnourished animals,
3)
impersonating
a County, State, or even
Federal animal control
agency (again, a felony)
claiming that the animals
are illegal in their area -
and if the vendor is not
immediately removed they
will come shut down the
entire event.
4)
Attempting to illegally pass
out slanderous flyers to
event-goers (again,
illegal).
5) Placing multiple calls to a
local news station (claiming
a range of the above) in
hopes of �fooling� the
station into doing a
sensationalized story.
Fortunately, most event
promoters and convention
facilities have caught-on to
these childish
�scare-tactics� � and are
not fooled.
For example, in the
rare circumstance where one
or two activists actually
showed up at an event
(we could find only
2 instances of this out of
literally dozens of such
�campaigns� we investigated )
� the activists were
easily removed by either
security or police without
causing any problems.
As with most �strategies�
founded in deceit � there is
often an unintended
�backlash� against Sugar
Glider chat rooms and
message boards when they
engage in this type of
unethical activity.
In
fact, several of the event
promoters and coordinators
who we interviewed for this
article stated -
quite emphatically -
that they�ve found it�s
actually turned into a GOOD
thing when amateur
�activists� like this
attempt the kind of stunts
outlined above;
because the �buzz� actually
ends up creating free
publicity for the event
� which in turn often brings
out large numbers of
traditional �pet-lovers�
(which make up the vast
majority of the population)
who then come out to the
event specifically to see
the animals.
While some of the above
examples may seem outrageous
to an �innocent bystander�
just reading this article;
our 6+ month investigation
revealed that they are
�standard practice� for
Sugar Glider chat rooms and
message boards.
In fact, as
previously stated, when one
investigates a SERIES of
situations like this �
(which we did during the
course of researching this
article) � one quickly finds
a very recognizable
�pattern� where: 1) not only
are there no VERIFIABLE
facts to back up any of the
claims these individuals
make, but 2) even more
importantly there is a much
darker UNTOLD story behind
what is really going on
here�
In reality, once we were
well into our research of
this article, it became
painfully obvious that:
1)
the prestige of being
�looked up to� by others in
the �online community� � and
2)
hidden financial motives
were
� and are � the
two, TRUE driving motives
behind every Sugar Glider
chat room and message board
that we investigated.
Regardless of what these
seemingly �objective�
message boards and chat
rooms would like outsiders
to believe, when ALL the
true facts are brought out
into the light � the �bottom
line� is unavoidable.
In the
final analysis, the desire
to obtain respect and money
� (often coupled with a
pathological addiction to
the Internet) - are the REAL
foundation upon which these
chat rooms and message
boards operate.
As just ONE example of this,
during the course of our
investigation we uncovered
that it is very common for
the �core� members of these
sites, (usually the same
individuals who
routinely �lead the
charge� when bashing other
resources) � to in fact be
SELLING THEIR OWN ANIMALS OR
PRODUCTS either directly �
or through other �assumed�
screen names - to other
unsuspecting members of
their �online community�.
In
other words, they are
directly competing - on a
monetary basis - with the
very SAME people they are
supposedly �objectively�
criticizing�
Invariably, at the center of
every chat room and message
board we investigated, we
discovered a �core group�
(again, usually consisting
of
between
4-12 individuals) who
had successfully created
their own anonymous
�internet world� where they:
1)
are essentially �royalty�,
2)
can be admired and exalted
above the crowd as Sugar
Glider �experts� by the new
or average member
(regardless of their actual
true qualifications),
3)
are free to viciously
criticize and slander anyone
who dares to challenge or
disagree with them, and
4)
often make a large amount of
money �behind the scenes�; selling both animals and
supplies either directly or
through assumed screen names
To provide a more clear
perspective on just how deep
these deceptions run, these
chat rooms and message
boards even regularly
deceive EACH OTHER for their
own personal financial gain.
For
example, one of the most
prominent Sugar Glider
websites (which appears near
the top of every Google� or
Yahoo� search) has claimed
for many YEARS now that they
ONLY sell � sweet hand-tamed
joeys� to their customers
and other loyal members of
the Sugar Glider �online
community�.
They then go even
further, by promising their
loyal followers that they
would never, EVER
stoop-so-low as to sell
�mill-bred� animals.
This
same person then spends a
great deal of time behind
the scenes �smearing� other
persons/groups who
commercially breed or sell
Sugar Gliders � and actively
bashes so-called �glider
mills� as the root of all
evil�
All that being said, upon
researching this particular
matter in great detail, our
investigation uncovered that
for many years now, this
same individual actually
BUYS almost all their baby
gliders from one of the
largest so-called �glider
mills� in the country �
which is
coincidentally OWNED by
their SISTER (under a
married
name). Furthermore,
when their sister recently
sold the majority of her
operation to an even LARGER
commercial breeder � this
individual then continued to
SECRETLY buy their baby
Gliders from the VERY same
�glider mill� that she
publicly bashes both online
and verbally to everyone
else in the so-called
�online community�!
According to information
recovered by an independent
investigative agency (taken
directly from this person�s
own discarded notes,
shipping documents, and
financial records), as of
the date this report was
published, they are STILL
secretly buying babies from
this commercial breeder �
even though they vehemently
deny it.
All the while, for
many YEARS now this exalted,
so-called �leader� in the
Sugar Glider �online
community� has � IN FACT �
been going behind everyone�s
back and selling these SAME
(supposedly inferior)
�mill-bred� babies to
unsuspecting members of
their very own Sugar Glider
�family� who look up to �
and trust � her.
To put this deception and
extreme hypocrisy into a
little better perspective,
to THIS very day� whenever
somebody else sells animals
which come from the
commercial breeder mentioned
above, this �leader� often
describes them as:
�sick�, �too young�, and
�inbred�� However, when
THEY sell exactly the same
babies PURCHASED from
exactly the same breeder;
these animals
then somehow immediately
become �hand-raised�,
�tame�, and perfectly
healthy�
By their own admission, the
owner of this site makes a
VERY good living selling
animals and supplies each
year �.
and all the people
who have looked up to them �
and followed their advice to
the letter - for SO many
years have absolutely no
idea that in fact THEY are
actually the ones �being
fooled�.
The above example is just
one � not uncommon �
sampling of the extreme
deception and hypocrisy we
routinely uncovered in the
Sugar Glider �online
community� during our
extensive 6+ month
investigation.
Upon establishing close,
ongoing relationships with
several of these �core�
individuals from a number of
the more prominent chat
rooms and message boards, it
quickly became clear to our
investigators that (in
addition to having serious
problems with �honesty�), in
almost every case it appears
as though these people also
suffer from a condition
known as
Pathological Internet Use.
In their self-manufactured
�internet world�, this small
�core group� typically
spends the VAST MAJORITY of
every day and night GLUED to
their keyboards; entangled
in endless �soap opera� type
dramas that they have
created � and maliciously
sucking others into their
web of deceit.
In most cases, they
choose to live out their
lives in this �made-up�
world where they can: 1)
remain anonymous to the
masses, 2) claim purely
�altruistic motives�, and 3)
be �larger than life� while
sitting behind their
computer.
They choose all this,
rather than actually
engaging with REAL people in
REAL society; and building
meaningful face-to-face
relationships with their
friends and family.
As one final example of just
how dangerous and disturbing
the world of Sugar Glider
chat rooms and message
boards really is,
(and we uncovered many more
equally-disturbing instances
during the course of our 6+
month investigation),
one of our investigators
actually visited the
personal home of one of the
most prominent �leaders� in
the Sugar Glider �online
community�.
When our investigator
entered what � at first �
appeared to be a somewhat
normal-looking house on the
outside � they were shocked
to find (among many other
disturbing things inside
this residence) that every
wall, ceiling � and even
window � in the home had
been painted completely
black.
Additionally, during their
conversation, our
investigator learned that
this highly-respected
�elder� � who posts
regularly in nearly every
major online Sugar Glider
chat room and message board
� typically spends (by their
own admission) at least
14-18 hours a day posting
messages while huddled with
their computer under a
blanket, so that (quote):
�the light from the monitors
doesn�t hurt my
suggies
eyes��
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you are
seriously considering buying
Sugar Gliders, check out the
reputation of the breeder and/or
website you are dealing with at:
www.SugarGliderReviewSite.com
This site contains objective
professional and consumer
reviews of the top 25 Sugar
Glider websites and breeders in
the U.S.. It is updated weekly,
and will give you a quick,
reliable snapshot of the people
you are dealing with... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We STRONGLY suggest that you
PRINT out these reports. |
|
|
� 2008 - NASGA.
All rights reserved. SP
|
|