Caging

Sugar gliders are highly active animals who's natural range would span many miles in their native habitat.  The minimum cage space for a single glider is 3'x2.5'x3'.  Taller is better than wider!  Two gliders will need double this space to live happily.  Wire spacing needs to be no wider than 1/2" x 1".  Anything larger will allow your gliders to become stuck or escape.  The cage should be powder coated, not galvanized, to allow for easy cleaning.

We recommend you purchase one of the cages here (not the travel size cage!). Bigger is ALWAYS better. If you prefer, ACR&S can order the cage for you, at the listed cost plus a 10% handling fee, due before ordering. Just let us know which one you want!

Diet

Sugar gliders do not have a bagged, processed "diet" which can be fed to them on a regular basis like many other species.  Their diet must be hand-made and fed in correct proportions to prevent dangerous nutritional disorders such as hypocalcemia and nutritional secondary hyperparathyoidism.

We currently feed a BML diet to our gliders.  The recipe is located here.  Please read through this and be aware that some of these products are not easy to find locally and may have to be ordered online to complete the diet.  We will have a 'kitchen class' with you prior to adoption to go over preparing the diet unless you are already a glider owner with experience doing so.

All gliders adopted from us will be required to remain on this diet, or another pre-approved sugar glider mix.  A pellet-only diet is not complete, it is not healthy, and it can lead to long term issues like hypocalcemia.  We do not adopt to homes seeking to feed "pellet only" diets like Glide-R-Chow.

Cage Accessories

Sugar gliders need a variety of cage accessories for enrichment.  Primarily among these are hammocks, hiding pouches, and cubes for them to sleep in during the daytime hours.  If you are a crafty person, it is possible to make these items yourself, but you may want to start by buying a 'cage set' for them.  Additionally, many people add baby toys, climbing ropes, and other accessories to give their gliders more interaction inside of their homes.

Social Needs

Sugar gliders are exceptionally social animals which do better with the company of other sugar gliders.  We do not rehome sugar gliders into homes without other gliders.  We also do not rehome intact mating pairs -- all males will be neutered prior to adoption.

Kids and Gliders

Sugar gliders are not appropriate pets for children.  They require a complicated diet, can be moody and prone to biting, are easily injured by careless handling, and don't generally like to be cuddled.

Although we do not exclude adopters on the basis of having children, it must be clear that these are in no way "children's pets".  The parents of the family must be dedicated to glider ownership and realize that their child may never be awake to see the gliders out and about, much less be involved with their complicated care.

Vet Care

Sugar gliders are considered to be highly exotic animals, and there are very few veterinary offices in the state that are able to handle their needs.  As such, most veterinarians are not qualified to see them, and you'll have to seek out an exotic specialist.  ACR&S has compiled a list of veterinary references which may be helpful in finding your pet's new vet.

Please be aware that not all vets that "see" gliders actually have up to date knowledge or relevant experience with them.  An uninformed vet can very easily kill your sugar glider through well-intentioned ignorance.  Be aware that veterinary care for gliders, because of its highly specialized nature, can be both costly and time sensitive.   

We encourage all of our adopters to research as much as possible on the animals of their choice (though of course we will work with you to help educate you as well!)

We highly recommend checking out the following website:

The Glider Initiative
Sugar Glider Help

Additionally, we would very highly recommend joining GliderCentral.  Please take the time to read through many of the threads there, especially on dietary information, health problems, and other common problems.  Gliders are a 10-15 year commitment and are not a pet for everyone.  It is extra important that owners be aware of these unusual animals' special needs to prevent unnecessary suffering for all parties involved!

Adoption Fees for Sugar Gliders
$100 - single glider (will only be adopted to live with current resident glider)
$175 - pair of sugar gliders

We do not charge different fees for rarer colors.

Adoption Process

1.)  After researching the species that you are interested in, please fill our our small animal adoption application.  Make sure you indicate the animal(s) that you're interested in!  This is not a commitment to adopt, and there is no fee for the application or for withdrawl of an application.

2.)  An adoption coordinator will verify your landlord approval (if applicable) and your vet reference.  Once these are passed, you will be contacted about adoption.  If there are any questions or concerns about information on the application, they will be addressed at this time.

3.)  A date for a home check/meet and greet will be set up with the animal(s) that you choose.  If we are trying to pair up your current pet with a friend, this may require several visits if the first candidate does not work out.  Please note:  ACR&S is a collective of foster homes, and as such we do not have a single shelter facility that can be visited, although we are happy to bring the animals that you are interested out to meet you, and we frequently conduct adoption events.