Petition to the USDA regarding Changing Sugar Glider Cage Size Requirements

The sugar glider is a small marsupial native to Australia. In the wild, sugar gliders can travel over 6 miles per night. They dwell in acacia and eucalyptus trees and rarely, if ever set foot on the ground. Sugar gliders glide from tree to tree with a gliding membrane called a patagium.

Since coming to America in 1997, Mill breeders have taken advantage of these small and delicate creatures. Mill breeders are notorious for cramming these gentle animals into 12 X 12 X 12 inch cages in pairs or more.

The sugar glider community and their veterinarians have many valid reasons why the increased cage sizes are important to the overall health, well-being and comfort of the animals. A larger cage mimics their natural habitat and encourages gliding, jumping and overall better mental and physical health.

Current regulations state that it is “considered humane for a sugar glider to be housed in a cage in which the animal cannot bump its head when it stands up on its hind legs.” -United States Department of Agriculture (division called APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)). Mill Breeders treat Sugar gliders far more cruelly than inmates doing solitary confinement in jail. Sometimes they literally go insane from these conditions and self-mutilate, die, or kill each other.

We feel that the USDA and it’s managing department APHIS  has a responsibility to these animals to oversee their welfare and speak for them, as they have no voices.

Recommended cage size for a pair of Sugar Gliders is 24 deep x 36 wide x 36 high, however 18 deep x 30 wide x 36 high would be the minimum acceptable size and is what we are petitioning for. We sincerely hope that the USDA/APHIS will change their guidelines for the benefit of these beautiful and special creatures.