GliderCENTRAL

USDA Breeder Licensing

Posted By: Bubbles8i8

USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/03/08 06:49 AM

Hello all,

If this is in the wrong forum, I'm sorry! I wasn't sure whether to post here or in Community Hall or Babbies and Breeding.

I was wanting to find information about what exactly is looked at during an inspection. I have heard it is better if cages are on scrubbable floors and in a room where the walls can be scrubbed, etc, but how much does that matter? Is it best to have disposable tarps or shower curtains on the walls, or are fleece cage covers that can be washed sufficient?

I understand how to go about the paperwork and applications, I am just needing info about the inspections and what takes place, etc.

Thank you for any replies!

smile
Posted By: BeckiT

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/03/08 07:03 AM

Sorry Jenny, I moved this to regulations and somehow missed the little box to leave you a pointer blush I'm sure the ladies that are licensed and familiar with what you need to worry about will be along soon to help you out wink
Posted By: Bubbles8i8

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/03/08 07:08 AM

Thank you Becki!
Posted By: Bubbles8i8

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/05/08 03:13 AM

Anybody?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/05/08 03:33 AM

It really depends on your inspector as to how much it matters. Once you apply for a license they should send you a packet in the mail explaining everything.
I've heard that the cages have to be off the floor and that the gliders food has to be seperate from your food.
I was going to get licensed last year, but they wouldn't even let me be licensed unless I have at least four breeding females. I only have two. I'm sure some one will be along that can give you more information.
Posted By: Bubbles8i8

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/05/08 11:02 PM

Thanx!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/05/08 11:40 PM

Hey Jenny - just an FYI: The Raleigh East Coast USDA office does not automatically send you a package when you request one online for breeding Sugar Gliders. You will want to call them and confirm that you understand the breeding regulations and that you actually *will* need a license.

Apparently they have a lot of people requesting packages for breeding Sugar Gliders, even though they have less than 3 breeding females in the household.

Just warning you - I waited 6 months for a package to arrive and it never did. And the gentleman explained all of this to me when I called him. After I confirmed it for them, I got my package in three days.

Some hints for inspection: Cages off of the floor, food kept in sealed containers off of the floor, proper lighting, proper paperwork and vet records in order. Sometimes they will let you fix a problem if you can while they are there, so if it would have been a deficiency, and you fix it right then, they wont count it against you (meaning no need to go through a re-visit). Floors must be able to be easily cleaned, whether by small removable rugs or (preferably) a tiled floor. Cage covers are fine for your cages. They may not allow breeding of other species in the same area - some inspectors are picky about it and others don't seem to mind if you have the animals securely caged.

Hope it helps!
Posted By: GliderLove

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 12:28 AM

I have been waiting for many months for my packet to arrive. I guess I'm going to call them back up and see what's up. I know this is a lengthy process but geesh....
Posted By: Lynsie

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 03:29 AM

It took me months to get my packet also, and then a few more months to get the inspector here. My inspector was really nice. The main thing he was worried about was having all the paperwork. For the gliders that you purchased and sold you need to have their name, address, and phone number.

He didn't have any complaints on my gliders, their cages, or their room. I asked him if the cages needed to be off the ground and he said they didn't HAVE to be but you did need to be able to easily move them to clean around them.

He said the food doesn't have to be stored away from the people food, it just couldn't be stored near any types of chemicals and all needed to be in containers.
Posted By: Bubbles8i8

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 07:50 AM

Thank you all for posting!

I started out with the glider cage being in the mouse/rat/ferret room which has particle board (? its the stuff that is under the carpet padding, under the carpet) flooring (we had a water leak in the neighboring bathroom so we just ripped up all the carpet in there) but now they are in our living room area which has the snap-together laminate flooring. It is water proof and stain resistant so it is very easy to clean. Our cage is on rollers, up off the floor, too.

How do those of you who feed BML store the frozen mix? I just leave it in the ice cube trays until I use it all. Do you pop the cubes out and put them in tupperware? Or do you just freeze it in a large bowl with lid and scoop out what you need each night?

Just in case anyone is wondering, I only have one female now, but I do have a trio of girls coming in Feb so I will have 4 all together and will need the license then.

I'll put a call in to the USDA office on Monday and hopefully they'll get my packet out to me ASAP.

Anything else you guys might think of just let me know! I'm all ears. smile

Thanx
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 08:07 AM

Don't you only need to license them if you are going to be breeding the females? dunno (Or maybe you are and I am just totally out of the loop! smile But I thought that just having three females didn't mean you had to be licensed, right?)
Posted By: Bubbles8i8

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 08:38 AM

If you have more than 3 intact females and you are breeding with any of them (even if its just one of them), you need to be licensed.

To clarify, I will be breeding the trio of girls. They will be paired with my Leu male that I'm also getting in Feb.

smile
Posted By: Lynsie

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 09:06 AM

I'm not sure if they will actually license you if you only have one cage of gliders or not.

As for the BML it should be dumped from the ice cube tray into either a freezer safe bowl or bag.
Posted By: Bubbles8i8

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 10:04 AM

I'll have two cages when they come for inspection. One cage with 1 female and the other cage with 3 females. From everything I can find, you have to be licensed if you have more than 3 intact females, whether they breed or not.


So for the BML, I could just use a ziplock freezer bag to store the cubes? That sounds easy enough. For the frozen fruit and veggies, you'd do the same? Just in a freezer bag? That is almost too easy. tounge

Thanx for answering all my questions!
Posted By: Laurens_Babies

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 10:23 AM

I'm sorry Im confused .. You have 3 females? 4 females? How many cages?? You just said two cages: 1 with one female one with three?? Which cage will your new male be in?? the one with three or one??
Posted By: Bubbles8i8

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 10:54 AM

Lol. Sorry. I have a male/female pair now and I'm getting a quad that will have 1 male/3females. The females have grown up together since they were little and they will be intro'd the male.

Posted By: Laurens_Babies

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 11:07 AM

Woah.. In my opinion and in everything I have heard quads are a really bad idea. I wouldn't be surprise if you were turned down for a USDA license for this.

Also *intact females* I believe there are only 2 vets in the US that will spay a sugar glider so probably about 99.9% of all female sugar gliders are NOT fixed. So this status does not matter. USDA licensing is if you are selling sugar gliders and you have 3 or 4 depending on where you live *breeding* female sugar gliders. THEREFORE If you have 3 or 4 females that you intend to have joeys thru this would apply to YOU.
Posted By: Laurens_Babies

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 11:18 AM

Also who are you getting this trio from ?? Do they know you intend to breed the three with another male. Cause the only time I have seen trios of same sexed gliders sold they are either rescues or from some one breed quads before and are seperating the male from the females.
Posted By: Bubbles8i8

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 12:00 PM

Originally Posted By: Laurens_Babies
Woah.. In my opinion and in everything I have heard quads are a really bad idea. I wouldn't be surprise if you were turned down for a USDA license for this.

Also *intact females* I believe there are only 2 vets in the US that will spay a sugar glider so probably about 99.9% of all female sugar gliders are NOT fixed. So this status does not matter. USDA licensing is if you are selling sugar gliders and you have 3 or 4 depending on where you live *breeding* female sugar gliders. THEREFORE If you have 3 or 4 females that you intend to have joeys thru this would apply to YOU.


Honey, I know that female gliders are not spayed. The law applies to all species that are regulated by the USDA, so if you had 1 female hedgehog and 3 female gliders (for example), but you only wanted to breed one of the gliders to sell the babies, you'd need a license. If you have 5 female gliders and you are breeding only 1 of them to sell the babies, you'd need a license.

I also understand the risks with quads but as I already stated, these 3 girls have grown up together their entire lives and will be right at breeding age when I get them. I am prepared to handle any situation that may arise.


Originally Posted By: Laurens_Babies
Also who are you getting this trio from ?? Do they know you intend to breed the three with another male. Cause the only time I have seen trios of same sexed gliders sold they are either rescues or from some one breed quads before and are seperating the male from the females.


I know you are concerned for the well being of the gliders, but I was just wanting info about what the USDA inspector will be looking for. The trio of girls comes from a responsible breeder and she does know my intent with them, because she is very select about where her babies go and I have no reason to be dishonest with her. She knows I will give them a great home. They are not rescues, nor have they ever bred or even been with a male before.

Can we please keep this on topic? smile

Thanx
Posted By: Dancing

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 04:36 PM

The law is not clear really.

It says if you maintain 3 or less "breeding" females (dogs or cats, and they have by default included gliders)AND sell only offspring born on the premises AND sell for pets or exhibition, then you are exempt from licensing requirements.

It does specifically say "Breeding", not breedable females.

Also, breeding quads are not common but I do have one and it is working so far. The females are a mother and her twin daughters. Just be prepared to seperate them if needed and be prepared for lossed joeys.
Posted By: Lynsie

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 09:39 PM

I think your best bet is to call the regional office and ask if you are qualified to be licensed.
Posted By: Bubbles8i8

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/06/08 11:45 PM

Originally Posted By: Lynsie
I think your best bet is to call the regional office and ask if you are qualified to be licensed.


This is the best idea I've heard all day! lol But really, this is a great idea and it is now my plan for Monday. I'll report back what I hear from them.


Originally Posted By: Dancing
The law is not clear really.

It says if you maintain 3 or less "breeding" females (dogs or cats, and they have by default included gliders)AND sell only offspring born on the premises AND sell for pets or exhibition, then you are exempt from licensing requirements.

It does specifically say "Breeding", not breedable females.

Also, breeding quads are not common but I do have one and it is working so far. The females are a mother and her twin daughters. Just be prepared to seperate them if needed and be prepared for lossed joeys.


I was under the impression that the USDA considered any intact female (therefor all glider females) to be a breeding female. Is that not true?

As I said, I do understand the risks of quads, but since these girls have grown up together since they were tiny there is a better chance of the quad succeeding. If the quad does not work out, I will divide it up where two of the girls are caged together while one girl stays with the boy.


Just to explain the situation- I was planning to purchase only one of the girls (a 66% leu het) to go with my Leu male, but I really wanted a trio. I did not want to take the chance of baby stealing, etc. by introducing an unfamiliar female, but the other two females (WF) that were living with the 66% girl had already been reserved. The two WF girls are very well bonded to each other and have been living with the 66% girl since they were little joeys. The deal with the WF girls fell through (I think this is the 2nd or 3rd time) so I then had the opportunity to get all three. If it doesn't work out with all 4 suggies in the same cage, the two WF girls will get their own cage and the 66% girl will stay with the Leu boy (unless for some reason they dont like each other or other circumstances arise).

Does it make more sense now? I didn't just run out looking for 3 girls to throw with my leu boy, the opportunity found its way to me by chance. I feel in my heart that it was meant to be because these lovely little WF girls have been reserved several times but it always falls through. I think it happened for a reason.

smile
Posted By: krysKritters

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/07/08 12:19 AM

Originally Posted By: Bubbles8i8

I was under the impression that the USDA considered any intact female (therefor all glider females) to be a breeding female. Is that not true?


According to the inspector that I spoke to, Yes but only exotics.

For example: 3 female gliders & a female hedgehog, yes. 3 female gliders and a female dog, no. It doesn't matter how many are actually breeding/producing offspring, as long as 1 is they all count.
Posted By: Bubbles8i8

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/07/08 02:17 AM

Originally Posted By: krysKritters
Originally Posted By: Bubbles8i8

I was under the impression that the USDA considered any intact female (therefor all glider females) to be a breeding female. Is that not true?


According to the inspector that I spoke to, Yes but only exotics.

For example: 3 female gliders & a female hedgehog, yes. 3 female gliders and a female dog, no. It doesn't matter how many are actually breeding/producing offspring, as long as 1 is they all count.



Ok, that is what I thought, too. That it only applied to animals that were regulated by the USDA.
Posted By: Guerita135

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/07/08 03:46 AM

Actually, I heard the exact opposite when I called the USDA.

I have 3 female gliders right now and they are caged with a neutered male. I will soon be getting another female who will be cages with an intact male.

The USDA person who I spoke with said I do NOT need a license since there is only one girl being bred and cages with the intact male and the others live seperately.

When you call back, be sure to clarify the laws with whoever you speak with. Right down what they say as well as their names and the time/date you called. wink
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/07/08 04:11 AM

I've heard that because sugar glider can not normally be spayed that having them caged alone or with neutered males was considered non-breeding.
Posted By: Bubbles8i8

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/07/08 04:33 AM

I will definitely ask to be sure and I'll post what I find out. smile
Posted By: sweetheart26

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 04:05 AM

i have one breeding pair of gliders at this time, but im looking into buying two more pairs to breed..plus i will have one breeding pair of gerbils..Do i need a USDA license?? im not sure!!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 05:13 AM

You will yes, if you have more than three females of any species, you must get licenced
Posted By: sweetheart26

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 05:15 AM

thanks...
Posted By: sweetheart26

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 05:18 AM

im planing on geting one anyways... like in two years im hoping to open my own petstore...it will be lots of work, but i will enjoy it..
Posted By: princessmegi

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 11:11 AM

Actually it is 3 or more breedable (not spayed) females of any species. You would need to be licensed.
Posted By: sweetheart26

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 02:42 PM

so gerbils do not count?? for breeding females??
Posted By: princessmegi

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 02:50 PM

Yes, they do. It is ANY species of animal in your home that is a female and not fixed (spayed).
Posted By: sweetheart26

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 02:53 PM

thanks
Posted By: sweetheart26

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 02:53 PM

i thought so just wanted to ask.
Posted By: sugarlope

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 08:52 PM

Originally Posted By: princessmegi
Actually it is 3 or more breed-able (not spayed) females of any species. You would need to be licensed.


This is not correct, it is MORE than 3 (so 4 or more) breed-able females. But it will depend on your USDA inspector, as some go by the 4 or more breeding females (as in, those females are currently with an intact male).

BUT the way the USDA has is worded it is supposed to be more than three intact females of any breed that have a same breed intact male on the premises. thumb
Posted By: princessmegi

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 09:35 PM

Thanks Gretchen. I should have worded that more carefully.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 09:38 PM

That is correct, Sugarlope, the law was just changed within the last year or two.

I am on the west coast and the USDA inspector told me it was any not spayed females that counted. Having them in seperate cages wasn't good enough, which makes sense since they can be bred anytime. Even the breeding females aren't always necssarily breeding.
Posted By: TheGliderPlayroom

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 09:43 PM

My inspector allowed me to drop my license after I neutered several males and had under 4 females actively breeding. I did still have I think two females that were with intact males and breeding, but because I had less than 4, it was allowed.
Posted By: krysKritters

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 09:48 PM

Originally Posted By: princessmegi
Yes, they do. It is ANY species of animal in your home that is a female and not fixed (spayed).

I was told it only applies to species regulated by the USDA.
In otherwords, sugargliders & hedgehogs count but dogs and cats do not.
Your best bet would be to call and ask them. thumb
Posted By: sweetheart26

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/14/08 10:05 PM

so do rodents like hamster, mice count?
Posted By: Bubbles8i8

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/15/08 05:29 AM

I don't think gerbils are regulated by the USDA. I know mice are NOT.
Posted By: sweetheart26

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 03/15/08 06:14 AM

thats what i was thinking too...i think it mostly exotics..
Posted By: Amber

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/02/10 09:06 PM

you are pairing all three females with the one male? can you do that? Like put all of them in the same cage?
Posted By: Dancing

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/02/10 11:24 PM

This is a really old thread, one that I responded to some time ago. The quad I had BLEW APART! It was a disaster. I do not recommend breeding quads at all. Even breeding trios are asking for trouble though many have success with them.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 01/21/10 02:39 PM

Wow, the USDA stuff is enough to make your head spin. In Georgia, SGs are only kept legally if the come from a USDA approved source. So if I just happen to have a breeding pair of suggies, I can't get USDA licenced because I don't have 4 or more breeding females? Then the baby would be illegal to own in GA? hmmm seems to encourage mill breeding IMO.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 04/02/10 05:52 AM

Now I have a question. I have 2 female gliders each with an in-tact male, 1 female glider with a sterile (not neutered, but proven steile) male, and a female dog. Do I need to be licensed? If it helps, the sterile male's genitles do not look like the genitles of the poducing male. While all parts are present, the plumbing is clearly not connected. It almost looks like it got cought in something when he was a tiny joey and was possibly torn. (He was my first glider and came from a mill)
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: USDA Breeder Licensing - 04/02/10 06:07 AM

I think it just matters how many intact females you have. This thread seems to indicate that dogs are not counted. If would be best just to call to verify since there is so much conflicting info. If the dog doesn't count, then you should not need a license since it's "over 3" breedable females.
© 2024 GliderCENTRAL