Posted By: Anonymous
Remaining Glider After Death of His Cagemate - 04/01/10 01:13 AM
Hi,
I have been caring for two un-neutered males... Unfortunately one of them died about a week and a half ago. The remaining one seems to be doing okay, given the circumstances. According to the vet he is just fine physically. At first, he wasn't eating as much and was sleeping a lot more than usual, but now he is eating a healthy amount and gradually returning to his normal level of activity.
I have been watching them for a friend of mine, and after she found out what happened and gave it some thought, she asked me to find a good home for him. I have grown quite attached to the little guys myself, and I would love to be the one to keep him, but the fact is I was only prepared to care for them on a temporary basis. Right now I have plenty of time to spend with him at night, but my schedule changes about every four months, so that's going to change as well. I hate to say so, but even if I get him a companion, I simply don't think I will be able to give him (or them) the quality of care that he deserves.
So, I have several questions. Any advice will be much appreciated. First of all, I want to do whatever is best for him... So, if I need to rehome him, what is the best way to do it? Other than going with my gut feeling, and asking a bunch of questions about diet, habitat, etc. from anyone I consider giving him to... how do I ensure that he is going to a good home? Also, I don't want to get anything out of rehoming him -- I just want to make sure he will be happy and well taken care of -- but I know with cats and dogs and such it is sometimes best to charge at least a small fee to ensure that they aren't being taken by someone who won't be willing to invest financially in their well being in the future. Is this the case with sugar gliders as well, or is it typically safe just to pass him on without worrying about that sort of thing?
I know that finding him a new home will be a lot of stress for him, and that he has suffered a pretty big trauma and a large amount of stress already. How long should I keep him and allow him to adjust before attempting to find him a new home? As long as is necessary is fine with me; I will find a way to make it work, no matter what kind of time frame we are looking at. As I said, I want to do whatever it takes to minimize his stress levels and keep him happy and healthy; I just don't think I can truly give him the level of care he deserves in the long term.
This is all I can think of to ask at the moment, but if there is any other advice you have, I will appreciate it!
I have been caring for two un-neutered males... Unfortunately one of them died about a week and a half ago. The remaining one seems to be doing okay, given the circumstances. According to the vet he is just fine physically. At first, he wasn't eating as much and was sleeping a lot more than usual, but now he is eating a healthy amount and gradually returning to his normal level of activity.
I have been watching them for a friend of mine, and after she found out what happened and gave it some thought, she asked me to find a good home for him. I have grown quite attached to the little guys myself, and I would love to be the one to keep him, but the fact is I was only prepared to care for them on a temporary basis. Right now I have plenty of time to spend with him at night, but my schedule changes about every four months, so that's going to change as well. I hate to say so, but even if I get him a companion, I simply don't think I will be able to give him (or them) the quality of care that he deserves.
So, I have several questions. Any advice will be much appreciated. First of all, I want to do whatever is best for him... So, if I need to rehome him, what is the best way to do it? Other than going with my gut feeling, and asking a bunch of questions about diet, habitat, etc. from anyone I consider giving him to... how do I ensure that he is going to a good home? Also, I don't want to get anything out of rehoming him -- I just want to make sure he will be happy and well taken care of -- but I know with cats and dogs and such it is sometimes best to charge at least a small fee to ensure that they aren't being taken by someone who won't be willing to invest financially in their well being in the future. Is this the case with sugar gliders as well, or is it typically safe just to pass him on without worrying about that sort of thing?
I know that finding him a new home will be a lot of stress for him, and that he has suffered a pretty big trauma and a large amount of stress already. How long should I keep him and allow him to adjust before attempting to find him a new home? As long as is necessary is fine with me; I will find a way to make it work, no matter what kind of time frame we are looking at. As I said, I want to do whatever it takes to minimize his stress levels and keep him happy and healthy; I just don't think I can truly give him the level of care he deserves in the long term.
This is all I can think of to ask at the moment, but if there is any other advice you have, I will appreciate it!