Everyone has a reason they started rescuing, and we are no different. It all started with an ad in a local newspaper selling a sugar glider business. When I see things like this it makes me wonder WHY. After my Mom and I called the lady, we made an appointment to see these gliders. That was it, these gliders were being kept in the most appalling, unhealthy condition, cages too small to move in, with pillow stuffing as bedding (gliders don’t use bedding), covered in their own waste, and with scars, scabs and cuts. Some were missing parts of their tails. It was horrible. There were 18 gliders in 4- 10 by 10 inch cages.  These gliders were for sale, and she would not take less than $1500.00. We had a dilemma. The shelter would euthanize all these gliders if they took them, AND if anyone else bought the business they would continue to breed these gliders in these tiny cages and add to the glider rescue problem.  We could not stand by and watch these gliders suffer, so we came up with the money and packed up these gliders.  Off to the vet where we found out all the gliders were full of parasites (internal). Medication had to be given twice a day every day for 10 days. These gliders needed to be bathed twice and still had stuff stuck to them. The medicine took at least an hour to give to them and thick gloves were needed since these gliders had not been handled. The next step was to get them on a proven glider diet (BML) and get them into top health so we can get the males neutered. We were lucky enough to find a wonderful website for Gliders called the USGN or United Sugar Glider Network where we found an amazing group of people and they started sending donations of pouches and toys and everything else, even mealworms. We immediately started calling about neutering the males since we noticed at least 2 mamas with joeys in pouch.  The Vets wanted an awful lot to neuter these 9 male gliders, and not every vet can handle such a tiny animal. After calling around, it was suggested we call Dr Fitzgerald from Emergency vets on Animal Planet. He said he would come out and check on the gliders here in my home to reduce the stress to them. He asked if he could bring a camera crew. They came in and filmed and then neutered the gliders, all 9 of them for the cost of one and thankfully the SRR (suggie rescue resources) was able to help pay for the neuter. The program should air in Feb 07. Check back for details.

To hear all the details about this rescue situation, please click on the USGN suggie squad picture below and visit the rescue home section. Please support the SRR that raises money to neuter rescued Sugar gliders, since most rescuers pay for all the care of their gliders from their own money