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Legal/Illegal States?

Posted By: vintageinez

Legal/Illegal States? - 04/28/13 03:59 AM

Okay, so I know there's a locked posting on this, but the map hasn't been updated since April 2012. Anyone got a more recent listing of legal/illegal states for glider ownership than April 2012? Something with sources would be ideal. Thanks!
Posted By: IslandGliders

Re: Legal/Illegal States? - 04/29/13 12:27 AM

Sugar gliders are illegal in five states. I don't think that has changed since April 2012.

They are illegal in California, Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise. (i.e. I have heard of some pet shops in MA and PA selling gliders because "they will be legal soon" or "you can get a permit real easy").
Posted By: vintageinez

Re: Legal/Illegal States? - 04/29/13 04:11 AM

Haha, no worries, I know gliders won't be legalized in Massachusetts until June or July. I'm making a documentary on sugar gliders and I interviewed the assistant director of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife about it in December - he told me they're not legal yet, but they will be fairly soon as part of a new update to their exotic species list. Thanks for the updated list!
Posted By: IslandGliders

Re: Legal/Illegal States? - 04/29/13 06:31 PM

Originally Posted By: vintageinez
Haha, no worries, I know gliders won't be legalized in Massachusetts until June or July. I'm making a documentary on sugar gliders and I interviewed the assistant director of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife about it in December - he told me they're not legal yet, but they will be fairly soon as part of a new update to their exotic species list. Thanks for the updated list!


Honestly? I'll believe it when I see it. I have been hearing this for YEARS.
Posted By: jendetta

Re: Legal/Illegal States? - 04/29/13 06:53 PM

What is the reason a state would declare gliders illegal in the first place?? Like NYS is funny, they are legal in most places, but not the five boroughs of NYC and I also heard they are illegal in Elmira NY, small town near Horseheads. Why? I find it totally unfair!! I would feel at ease if I knew that there was a valid reason for a ban. :blah:
Posted By: vintageinez

Re: Legal/Illegal States? - 04/29/13 11:50 PM

Originally Posted By: IslandGliders


Honestly? I'll believe it when I see it. I have been hearing this for YEARS.


Well, if you'd like to see, I've got the footage to prove it smile Dr. French is the assistant head of the department, so I'd imagine he knows what he's talking about.

Anyway, I don't know about the other states, but in Massachusetts, since there are plenty of urban areas like Boston, they always have to be really careful about legalizing exotic animals. If an animal were to get out and cause havoc to the environment or to people, it will cause a lot more damage in an urban area than a rural one. Because of this, all animals start out as illegal until otherwise stated.

Massachusetts never had a problem with the sugar glider, it's just that no one took the time to fill out the paperwork to get them legalized until recently (perhaps because people didn't know there was paperwork to be filled out). There's a review process that has to be initiated for a species to be considered for the safe species list.
Posted By: Feather

Re: Legal/Illegal States? - 04/30/13 12:49 AM

States like Alaska, PA and MA are not going to have problems with rogue sugar gliders taking over the ecosystem. They would not survive a winter there.

They could probably survive in Hawaii because of all the plant life, but I don't think they would survive in CA either.

Some places have a ban on all marsupials, so you need to read the law to see if it is a broad all marsupial ban. If it is a all marsupial ban you could get them made legal like I did, specially if they allow ferrets as pets.
Posted By: vintageinez

Re: Legal/Illegal States? - 04/30/13 02:49 AM

No, they probably wouldn't. They might be able to weather a Massachusetts or Pennsylvania summer, but certainly not a winter. Too cold.
Posted By: sweetReaper

Re: Legal/Illegal States? - 05/13/13 08:03 PM

I just saw for myself that there is a bill to legalize sugar gliders in MA. It would be helpful to me since my family all lives down there and I usually have to find a sitter for my babies when I go visit if the boyfriend isn't around to stay with them.

Also, there aren't any pet stores in MA that I or my family have ever seen or heard of that sell gliders(my father travels all over the state looking at exotics with a friend of his who is licensed to educate people on exotic animals - they also make it a point to make sure shops aren't selling illegal animals, including animals that might look similar to something legal that they can sell under the name of the legal animal instead. This happens with reptiles, especially blue tongue skinks, all the time.) He too has been in contact with this Dr. French that vintageinez mentioned and was told the exact same thing. You can go to the Mass fisheries and wildlife site and see all of the information right there. There are many reptiles and other animals on the list to be legalized as well.


Edit: So I actually just spoke to my father about the pet store thing and apparently he knows of one man who has sold gliders illegally out of his shop many times in the past. He does not know however, what has become of this person but he thinks he is still in business. Makes me angry to hear about things like that frown
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