These are actual emails I have received from each
State regarding the legalities of owning a Sugar
These are actual emails I have received from
each State regarding the legalities of owning a Sugar
Glider in each state. The states that just marked
as legal, are the ones that I have been told they are legal. The
laws and rulings are constantly changing and it is very hard to keep up
with the changes. I will not be responsible for any state requirement
that is not updated, Please contact each state in order to be absolutely
sure of the legality. You must also contact your city or local officials
as well, Some states they are legal in , but the cities have their own
ordinances. Each State office I contacted, I contacted through their URL
which, you too can contact by clicking on their State abbreviation. Please
let me know if there is something, that is incorrect. Federal regulations
are separate from city and state.
ALAKARAZCACOCTDEFLGAHIIAIDILINKSKYLAMAMDMI
AL
Please Contact : Dr. J. Lee Alley
State Veterinarian
Department of Agriculture and Industries
Animal Industry Division
P.O. Box 3336
Montgomery, Alabama 36109-0336
Telephone: (334) 240-7255
AK Sugar Gliders are not legal as
pets in Alaska. Alaska has a "clean list" of animals that are allowed
into the state without a permit. A permit to keep a pet cannot be
issued for animals which are not on this list Below is the law stating
all this. Alaska, being an isolated state has the unique opportunity
to more fully protect its native animals from the known and unknown dangers
of non-native species. For this reason, the law below was enacted.
It was nearly impossible to list all the animals
people might want to have, and
then decide whether they would be "safe" for the native animals in Alaska,
or the reverse: list all the animals that should not be kept as pets
in Alaska in order to protect our native species. Therefore, this
clean list was inacted into law. The Alaska Board of Game will add
an animal to the list if an Alaska resident petitions the Board to add
the species, and if it meets the stringent
requirements of part (h) of the
law.
ALASKA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
(for complete code click here) TITLE 5 FISH AND GAME CODE
5 AAC 92.029
PERMIT FOR POSSESSING LIVE GAME.
(h) Upon application,
the board will add a species to the list in (b)
of this section if there is clear
and convincing evidence that the
species
(1) is not capable
of surviving in the wild in Alaska;
(2) is not capable
of causing a genetic alteration of a species that
is indigenous to Alaska;
(3) is not capable
of causing a significant reduction in the
population of a species that is
indigenous to Alaska;
(4) is not capable
of transmitting a disease to a species that is
indigenous to Alaska; and
(5) does not
otherwise present a threat to the health or population
of a species that is indigenous
to Alaska.
(i) The board
will remove a species from the list in (b) of this
section, if there is a preponderance
of evidence that the species
(1) is capable
of surviving in the wild in Alaska;
(2) is capable
of causing a genetic alteration of a species that is
indigenous to Alaska;
(3) is capable
of causing a significant reduction in the population
of a species that is indigenous
to Alaska;
(4) is capable
of transmitting a disease to a species that is
indigenous to Alaska; or
(5) otherwise
presents a threat to the health or population of a
species that is indigenous to Alaska.
History -
Eff. 7/5/85, Register 95; am 2/27/87,
Register 105; am 8/20/89, Register
111; am 8/12/90, Register 115;
am 7/1/94, Register 130; am 8/20/95,
Register 135; am 6/28/96, Register
138; am 7/1/98, Register 146
Authority -
AS 16.05.255
AS 16.05.270
AS 16.05.920
Hope this helps!
Doreen Parker McNeill doreenp@fishgame.state.ak.us Wildlife Biologist
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Division of Wildlife Conservation
P.O. Box 25526
Juneau, AK 99802
AR
Legal
AZ
Legal
CA
Marsupials are considered wild animals in California. The law regarding
wild animals can be found in the
California Fish and Game Code, sections
2116 through 2126. The Fish
and Game Code can be found on the Internet at:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/.html/fgc_table_of_contents.html The California Home Team consists
of staff from the California State
Library, Teale Data Center and
other state agencies working together to
help people needing information
about state government and state programs.
If you have any other questions,
suggestions or comments, please let us
know. We are committed to
making this California Home Page a useful
resource of information about the
Golden State on the Internet.
CO
Sugar gliders were exempted from licensing requirements
approximately two years ago.
They may be held by anyone as a pet in
Colorado. This is NOT the
case, however; for most species of wildlife.
CT
UNKNOWN
DE
UNKNOWN
FL
I spoke with Lt. Linda Harrison of the Law Enforcement Division of the
Florida Fish and Game Conservation
Commission which enforces regulations for
exotic pets.
The new revised law Regarding our phone conversation
this date, pursuant to Florida
Administrative Code 39-6.0022 (2
c) no permit is required to possess sugar
gliders for personal use.
A license would only be required if an
individual exhibits or sells (this
includes trades) sugar gliders, pursuant
to Florida Statute 372.921.
Lt. Linda Harrison
Inspections Operations Officer
FL. Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission
If you have any additional questions,
you can contact Lt. Harrison
directly at (850) 488-6253. I hope
that this information will be helpful to you.
A Class 3 permit is not required
to own a sugar glider as a personal pet, If you have a un-neutered
male and a female and babies may be expected which you plan on exhibiting,
selling, trading, or transferring ownership of, then a special license
is also required , however that license is very very inexpensive based
on how many you have. This license is addition to the the USDA federal
license that is also required. Also in transferring ownership, you
must keep records of each transfer. If transferring with the knowledge
that the other person will be exhibiting, selling, trading, or transferring
ownership of, the buyer must also be a permitted person. The failure to
obtain the proper permits and licenses holds a maximum penalty of 60 days
in jail, and a $500.00 fine. Please read each section of the new
law that pertains to gliders
GA
Sugar Gliders are not legal as pets in Georgia. Any questions may
be
directed to the Special Permit
Unit at 770-761-3044.
HI
UNKNOWN
IA
Iowa regulations - Sugar Gliders are permitted so long as they are
obtained from a lawful source out-of-state. They must be kept in
captivity and not released into the wild. No permit is required.
ID
You
will have to direct your question to the Idaho Department of
Agriculture. They handle all import
permits for exotics.
http://www.agri.state.id.us/ (Phone:(208)332-8500)
IL
According to Illinois Compiled Statutes (520 ILCS 5/2.2 ), any animal that
is not protected by the Wildlife
Code cannot be imported into the state without
a letter from the Director granting
permission for the importation to occur.
This law was developed to prevent
disease contamination of wildlife populations
or livestock, and to prevent the
release of an animal into an environment where
it may cause a nuisance.
Public, research, and zoological institutions are
exempted from these provisions.
Also, animals that are exempted by
administrative rule do not have
to have a letter authorizing the importation.
However, an administrative rule
has not been promulgated at this time.
What does this
mean for the importation of sugar gliders? Well, any
individual who wants to legally
import a sugar glider into Illinois must obtain
a letter from the Director of DNR
to allow the importation. When requesting to
obtain a letter to import a sugar
glider into Illinois, you must provide a
veterinarian health certificate
that states the animal is disease free and a
statement that every attempt is
made to assure the animal does not escape into
the wild. An authorization
letter may be obtained by writing the Division of
Wildlife Resources, Illinois Department
of Natural Resources, 524 S. 2nd St.,
Springfield, IL 62701-1787.
Please contact me if you have any
further questions.
jean_thompson_at_con084p2@dnrmail.state.il.us
IN
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources does not regulate
the possession of sugar gliders
because they are not a native species to
Indiana. Therefore, no permit is
required by the Department of Natural
Resources. However, I would
caution those who want to own one to first
check with their local city and/or
county office to make sure that there
are no local restrictions on having
one.
KS
Our agency has no regulatory authority over sugar gliders. As far as I
know, they are legal as pet, but
you might contact the Kansas Department of
Health and Environment. They do
regulate some species.
KY
We do not regulate sugar gliders in KY. You may need to check with
local government (city) to see if there are local ordinances to prohibit
them wherever they are held. If you would like to speak to a wildlife
biologist concerning this, please contact Mark Cramer at 1-800-858-1549.
LA
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries does not regulate exotic
species (those not native to Louisiana).
There are permits required to
import and keep exotic species
in Louisiana, but those permits are
issued by the Louisiana Dept. of
Agriculture and Forestry. There may
also be a permit required from
the USDA Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service.
Contact the LDAF at 225/925 3980,
and USDA at 225/389-0436.
The La. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries
only regulation concerning
exotic mammals deals with the importation
and release of these animals.
Sugar gliders do not fall under
our jurisdiction. An exotic animal of
this type would be regulated by
the La. Dept. of Agriculture and
Forestry. I called Doctor Cox with
that Dept. and was advised that sugar
gliders were not prohibited in
the
state per se, but, for instance, are
banned in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Evidently, each individual Parish
(County) has the right to pass
ordinances concerning the possessing of
exotic animals within its own legal
boundaries .I hope this information will be of some benefit to you.
MA
Sugar gliders may NOT be possessed in Massachusetts without a permit. Permits
for exotic mammals are issued to zoos, science centers or educational institutions.
For permitting information contact:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Permit Section
100 Cambridge Street
Boston, MA 02202
MD
As you stated in your email, as of July, 1998, sugar gliders are
legal to be possessed in Maryland
without a permit. Certain counties
may place restrictions on sugar
gliders, so you should check with
your local animal control facility
before obtaining one.
Also,
a permit would be required from the U.S. Department of
Agriculture in order to sell sugar
gliders in Maryland.
Sincerely,
Mary Jo Scanlan
Permits Coordinator
Wildlife & Heritage Division
ME
You would need a Wildlife Propagator's license in order to own a sugar
glider in the State of Maine. If importing from out of state, you
would also need a
Wildlife Importation Permit.
There would be special cage/health requirements
for any species held in captivity
in the State of Maine. If you would like me
to send you the necessary applications,
please send me your full name and
mailing address. If you have questions
or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me again
at your convenience.
Sincerely,
email address : Wendy.bolduc@state.me.us
Wendy L. Bolduc
Information Center
MI
You will need to speak to the department of agriculture for exotic animals.
The number is 517-373-1077.
MO
Here's what the Wildlife Code of Missouri says:
(2) Except for federally-designated
endangered species and species listed in 9.240, the following may be bought,
sold, possessed, transported and exhibited without permit: bison, amphibians,
reptiles and mammals not native to Missouri and those birds (except ring-necked
and Korean pheasants and gray partridges) not native to the continental
United States.
MN
The sugar glider is not protected by the State of Minnesota, Dept. of Natural
Resources, as they are not native to Mn. and are not listed on our endangered
or threaten species list. I would suggest contacting the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, and also the Mn. Dept of Agriculture, section of
the Board of Animal Health.
MT
I am writing in response to your request for information on the laws
concerning exotic pets (specifically,
sugar gliders) in Montana. I am unaware of any laws pertaining to
these animals, but this does not necessarily mean that there are no laws
or regulations. I recommend contacting the Montana Dept. of Fish,
Wildlife, and Parks. Someone there may be able to answer your questions.
Their address and contact information can be found at their web site: http://www.fwp.mt.gov/ NC
Legal
ND
9/11/98
To Whom
It Concerns:
Currently,
in the State of North Dakota, sugar gliders are considered
Category 2 species. By definition this means, species that have been
domesticated. They must meet the health requirements set forth in
Chapter 48-12, before being imported. That would include a health
certificate and an import permit number through the State Veterinarian's
office. The status of the sugar gliders may be subject to change
in the future, if deemed necessary by the ND Board of Animal Health.
For further information or to request a copy of Article 48, please call
our office at 1-701-328-2654.
Susan J. Keller, DVM
NE
Legal
NH
UNKNOWN
NJ
UNKNOWN
NM
An
Importation permit is required to import any wildlife into New Mexico
for any purpose. To recieve
a importation permit application, people
must contact the Law Enforcement
Division and request one be mailed to
them. The Department will
consider all aspects before granting an
individual a importation permit.
Things considered are: public safety,
disease potential -- humans, wildlife
and livestock, possibility of
outcompeting with native wildife
(if there was an accidental release),
etc. Currently, each permit
application is reviewed independently, so I
can not give a blanket answer for
any animal.
NV
Legal
NY New York State does
NOT have any regs per this species. I know we
have some in the state as pets. However; there is currently a new
law as of August 1, 1999 in New York city and other areas of New
York, the Law can be read here (New
Law on Exotics) OH
We do not have any regulations pertaining to exotic species. The only species
of animals that we require to be permitted are those that are native to
Ohio. Marc Sommer Ohio Division of Wildlife Web Site Coordinator Marc.Sommer@dnr.state.oh.us
(614)265-6831 www.dnr.state.oh.us/odnr/wildlife
OK
Legal
OR
Sugar Gliders (Petauridae, Petaurus breviceps) is classified as a
noncontrolled mammal under the Oregon Wildlife Integrity Rules (OAR 635-056-0060).
Noncontrolled mammals may be sold, purchased or exchanged without restriction.
PA
Legal but has special regs regarding buying and selling
RI
UNKNOWN
SC
Legal
SD
Legal
TN
Legal
TX
Legal
UTSUGAR
GLIDERS CAN BE POSSESSED IN UTAH ONLY AFTER OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF
REGISTRATION. BEFORE AN INDIVIDUAL CAN APPLY FOR A CERTIFICATE, THEY
MUST OBTAIN A LETTER FROM LOCAL ANIMAL CONTROL ALLOWING POSSESSION OF A
SUGAR GLIDER IN THE LOCALITY IN WHICH THEY LIVE. SALT LAKE COUNTY
DOES NOT ALLOW POSSESSION OF SUGAR GLIDERS OR ANY ANIMAL THAT IS NOT NATIVE
TO NORTH AMERICA. REQUESTS FOR SUGAR GLIDERS ARE APPROVED WITH THE
FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS: 1. HOLDING FACILITY WILL NOT BE LESS
THAN 18 INCHES X 24 INCHES PER ANIMAL HOUSED. 2. HOLDING FACILITY MUST BE HIGHER THAN
LONG WHERE POSSIBLE. 3. HOLDING FACILITY MUST BE INSPECTED
BEFORE SUGAR GLIDERS ARE AQUIRED 4. HOLDING FACILITY WILL BE INSPECTED
YEARLY AND BE AVAILABLE TO SPOT INSPECTIONS AS DEEMED NECESSARY. 5. NO BREEDING OF THE ANIMALS IS TO
TAKE PLACE. (POSSESSION BOTH MALES AND FEMALES NOT ALLOWED.) 6. NO ANIMALS ARE TO BE RESOLD FOR ANY
REASON. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE WILL
BE GROUNDS FOR FORFEITURE OF THE CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION. COST OF CERTIFICATES ARE $5.00 HANDLING FEE
AND $50.00 CERTIFICATE FEE FOR THE FIRST YEAR. RENEWABLE THEREAFTER
FOR $25.00. VA
Legal
VT
UNKNOWN
WA
Sugar gliders are unclassified in Washington. This means they are
considered to be neither wildlife, nor deleterious exotic wildlife.
Therefore, the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife has no
regulations that would prohibit, or otherwise restrict the ownership, or
possession of sugar gliders within this state. Importation of sugar gliders
into Washington is regulated by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Lawful importation requires the completion of an interstate certificate
of veterinary inspection by a licensed accredited veterinarian in the state
of origin. Additionally, an import permit must be issued by the Washington
State Department of Agriculture, Office of the State Veterinarian.
These requirements must be compiled with prior to the animal being brought
into this state. Local jurisdictions may have adopted ordinances which
regulate possession and/or care of sugar gliders (there is no central clearing
house for such ordinances). One interested in acquiring a sugar glider
should check with their local animal control authorities, law enforcement
agency, or health department for any applicable local regulations. As indicated
in paragraph 2 of 3CSR10-9.110, a sugar glider (a non-native mammal which
is not federally-designated as threatened or endangered, nor listed in
3CSR10-9.240) "...may be bought, sold, possessed, transported and exhibited
without permit...." Releasing a sugar glider to the wild or allowing one
to escape to the wild would be an infraction of 3CSR10-4.110.
WI
Legal
WV
Legal
WY
Legal
State Restrictions 
