This review is from the point of view of a consumer, or to put more accurately a new 'mother' to a Sugar Glider that was breed by Pocket Pets. (Yes, that is me.)
My mother bought Fritz for me in June of 2010 and I was thrilled to have a pet of my own to share my new apartment with. Sadly, Fritz wasn't old enough for me to take him home yet, so I had to wait over a month to pick him up.
During that time I researched, I read, I watched videos...I basically memorized every bit of information that Pocket Pets and their associated veterinarian website had available.
Then I started to ask clarifying questions to fill in holes that their information left.
But all I got in return were 'cookie cutter' answers where they basically copied and pasted the information that I already had into the email. Definitely not what I was looking for. With every other company I asked a question, I was able to have an actual conversation with the person on the other side of the line (either by phone, email, or chat).
The first couple times, I dismissed this. Then I started digging around in the web-world outside of Pocket Pets and their associates. And I started reading some very disturbing things, things I couldn't quite believe.
Pocket Pets, the very professional looking company who seems to be so helpful, was called a mill breeder countless times. Yes, that's on the same level as those horrible puppy mills. Others even went so far to call them liars and fraudulent because of their 'fake' vet association: the ASGV.
Plus, they kept on pushing off the date when I could pick Fritz up and take him home.
Needless to say, I became worried and suspicious.
So I sent them an email mentioning these concerns and asking for pictures of the breeding facilities as well as an update on Fritz.
They again gave me a cookie cutter answer, avoided the pictures all together using their USDA certification (which seems to be as useful as an FDA certification) and Better Business Bureau grade A standing. (Though we were able to set up a time for me to pick up Fritz, finally!)
-Quick Side Note: As a marketer for my family's business, I've had the Better Business Bureau (BBB) call us up and asking us to pay multiple of hundreds of dollars for a Grade A standing. Excuse me? You want me to PAY for a good reputation? Sorry, that screams a scam to me. But anyway, back to the review at hand.
I picked up Fritz and everything went so well that I let it slide. I followed their directions to the letter and my research slowed basically a halt. I was busy bonding with Fritz and making sure I had good toys, treats, and other accessories. Plus, Pocket Pets couldn't be a scam, they looked to professional and official and Fritz seemed fine.
Then I met someone with a female he had bought from Pocket Pets and a male he had rescued. They started to breed and their fur began to have a brown tint. This didn't mesh with me. The gliders were of different ages, so it couldn't have been them getting older. Plus, I was worried about the state of their habitat (to the point I was thinking negligence) but not sure enough to step in or report him.
So I started researching again. The first thing I did was email a question to Pocket Pets. Their history was to email me back within 24 hours (a good habit to keep). But they didn't follow that habit this time. (Note: It's been about 4 days since I sent that email with no response.)
So I branched out looking for advice from others in the Sugar Glider Care Giver Community (no, that's not an official name, lol). This is when I decided to join the community at SugarGlider.com and get feedback from them.
I have yet to see proof of the claims about Pocket Pets being fraudulent and a mill breeder, but I'm definitely suspicious and not happy with their customer service post-purchase.
Have you (or someone you know) bought a Sugar Glider from Pocket Pets or used the ASGV? I'd like to know your experience.
Hi Katlin, My name is Linda (LSardou) on the Boards. As you probably already are aware that I'm the Director of the Mill Breeder Project. The reasons for my starting this are too many to list here, however, I can simply say that in order for things to change with these people and others who are selling these precious babies we as a community truly need to become more organized with establishing programs towards educating new or prospective buyers PRIOR to purchasing. We at the Mill Breeder Project are diligently working at sending letters to Mall Managers, Trade Show Hosts, and other areas that support the sale of these babies in their establishments.
ReplyDeleteI bought my two sugar gliders from CCW (Custom Cage Works) several years ago. Just as yourself, I encountered many problems with getting direct answers to my questions. In addition to the lack of response, my one glider did have a parasitic (giardia) infection and we almost lost him due to the lack of support from the CCW staff. Currently, my one glider has been dealing with some serious genetic issues due to inbreeding, sadly to say that the problems he is having are not curable.
I have spent many long hours on the phone with several members who have had health issues, due to improper care, poor diet, lack of support from the beginning of their ownership. Some of these babies never lived past 10 weeks, due to being sold under aged (4 weeks), dehydrated, malnourished, or the lack of proper medical care because they were told that sugar gliders don't 'get sick' ..........
My heart aches for all those who have purchased and don't have a clue as to what to do or what to expect.
I Thank you, for taking the time to start this blog, and I hope that this will bring further awareness to the public and help stop the selling of these babies at public venues.
For further information, or is you or anyone would like to help please visit www.millbreederproject.com "Together We Can Make a Difference"
Sooooo...you are against it but purchases 2 of your own?? Sounds like another example of people who whine when they make mistakes or are misinfnformed then want to start some "project"
DeleteI too bought a glider from PPP. That is the first problem, since they shouldn't even be sold by themselves, but kept in at least pairs. Luckily my glider has not had health issues, but I was very disappointed by the false and inadequate information provided by them and happy to find sugarglider.com.
ReplyDeleteYou say you don't have any proof PPP isn't a mill breeder. But how can a company that sells animals provide them to people all over the nation and not be? Think about dogs. Reputable sellers are most often small scale breeders, and those who sell tons of them to places like pet shops are usually puppy mills. I think that's the beginning of the proof right there.
Thanks for your comment and feedback regarding your personal experience. Sugarglider.com is definitly a good source for snuggie 'slaves' as long as you know how to sift through everything. lol
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I don't know enough regarding dog breeding to know for sure. A valid point except for the fact that Pocket Pets doesn't actually breed the gliders. They buy from many different breeders all over the nation. At least that's my understanding.
Thats crap they told me yesterday at the reptile show they breed them themselves
DeleteThank you Linda for your comment as well. I agree, more information should be out there regarding the care and sources of healthy Sugar Gliders. Once Fritz is set up with the new cage, HPW diet, & some new friends; I'll definitly be over & take a look around. :D
ReplyDeleteI bought two animals from pocket pets, and they were very helpful to me. They answered all my questions in a reasonable time(within 12 hours email), and I was told they privately breed them, that they don't commercially breed them. I don't have a problem with them, they are very knowledgable and helpful with me
ReplyDeleteI bought 2 sugar bears from Pocket Pets as well, I felt they were very informed, well trained and friendly. I have had no problems with them or the animals. I feel they gave me adequate information and resources.
ReplyDeleteWe purchased two joeys from PPP three weeks ago. We have been feeding them the pellets, vitamins, and apples, and they are both doing great. They are both growing and are very active and seem very healthy. Our biggest concern was similar to some other post, we felt rushed after making the decision to purchase, and felt like we did not receive enough information. Bonding seems to be slower than we were led to believe, but we are making progress.
DeleteThey need insects as well
DeleteThanks for the comments Theresa & Anonymous, it's good to hear reviews from people who have worked directly with companies.
ReplyDeleteI bought from pocket pets 3 mths ago and my sugar glider will still not bond w/me! I was never told or made aware at the time of purchase that these things can be so difficult to get to the nice, calm stage that they are when you see the salesmen w/them at the mall. I feel like I was scammed big time! i fell for their sales pitch, hook, liner & sinker and now have a pet that w/supplies cost me around $700 when I could have just bought a $20 hampster considering all mine will do is stay in the cage & not let anyone pick her up! Pocket pets has emailed me back but always with just the same techniques and advice. i've already tried everything that they've mentioned. they kept saying not to give up & i swore i wouldn't but I have to say that after 3 mths & several attempts, i am very much ready to give up & very much wish I could just get my money back!!
ReplyDeleteI have two gliders, and my youngest, Pebbles, bit us for three solid months. But we stuck with it and people tell me they are the healthiest, happiest gliders they have ever seen. Mine are now 4 and 3 1/2. By now you have probably given up and gotten rid of them since you posted this so long ago. The reward is well worth the work. We take ours to work with us (luckily we have jobs which makes that feasible) and they are rarely in their cage.
DeleteMy wife bought a female glider from PP while I was in Afghanistan in 2012. About 4 months before I came home. I sent a t-shirt home that I had worn and once I got home, she was very well bonded with my wife and son. She only took a couple of days to bond with me. We have had her 1 1/2 years and no issues at all. She is healthy and playful and plays with our dogs as well.
DeleteI would go onto youtube and look up some bonding videos! There are some holding techniques that have worked so well with us. We have had our glider for a month and he has made huge progress. Try to have them crawl into your sleeves and sleep in there, it helps them get used to your smell. And clipping their names helps with that!
DeleteIf you are struggling with Bonding...
DeleteI have a female that was really against men. I think maybe the man that had her before me was to ruff with her. Try giving yours to your wife/husband for a few weeks. When we first got ours I took The male and my boyfriend took the female with him. We take them with us to work almost everyday. The female was extremely aggressive toward my boyfriend. So I took her one day and gave him the male. We are now (6 weeks later) bonded well with our babies! The female still is not bonded tightly with my boyfriend but will go with him if I put her on his shoulder. The male and female prefer to be with me. But the male is ok with anyone! Try switching things up! It worked for us!
Sorry about the difficulty bonding with your gliders. They can definitly take more time sometimes. The only advice I can give is to spend as much time with your suggie(s) as possible. I often kept Fritz in the bonding pouch all day as I did errands & chores around the house. He even came with me to many social activities. Really the only place I didn't bring him during the bonding period is work. It took about 3 months, and I often became discoraged, but he finally has come to see me as a big sugar glider. :D Good luck!
ReplyDelete"You say you don't have any proof PPP isn't a mill breeder. But how can a company that sells animals provide them to people all over the nation and not be? Think about dogs. Reputable sellers are most often small scale breeders, and those who sell tons of them to places like pet shops are usually puppy mills. I think that's the beginning of the proof right there."
ReplyDeleteThis doesn't make sense to me? From my understanding, Pocket Pets privately breeds their gliders, and TRAVELS around the nation to potentially sell them. Puppy mills generally just breed puppies left and right and ship them off to various stores and areas. Pocket Pets sounds like you can only get their gliders from them directly and/or when they come to you. Which isn't like a puppy mill to a pet store at all.
Pocket Pets is NOT a glider BREEDER. They are a BROKER. They buy joeys in quantity from MILL BREEDERS and then resell them to the unsuspecting and often uneducated public.
DeleteThey do sell them underage. Joeys should be no less than 8 weeks out of pouch (which is different than 8 weeks "old") before they are separated from their parents.
A healthy joey who is old enough to be away from their parents does NOT need a heat rock. Only the to young or sick gliders have trouble maintaining their body temperature.
They do provide misleading or out right false information to make it sound like gliders are the easiest animal in the world to own.
I've had gliders over 13 years. I've been a small hobby breeder (no more than 3 breeding females at any one time) and a rescuer taking in those gliders who's owners were mislead and lied to and could not handle the care of their "sugar bears". The name Sugar Bear is their first lie...they use that "name" so that when people try to online research the Pocket Pets company will come up on the search engine.
What Pocket Pets and others like Custom Cage Works (also dba Tropical Attitude Pets, Tropical Pets, and formerly Pocket Pets of Dallas) do to the gliders in their quest for the all mighty dollar is just sickening.
For those of you who have had good experiences with these companies, count yourselves VERY lucky.
They are so cute, love those big eyes.
ReplyDeleteI have read your full article and truly speaking that it was really very knowledgeable and very interesting.Keep up the great work.
i work at a pet store that sells sugar gliders through a private breeder. ive heard nothing but horrible things about pocket pets during my short time there. there was lead in the cages that was killing gliders by the dozens! they werent even replacing the cages just the gliders!!! if they can afford to replace such an expensive pet to have it happen over and over again- wouldnt you come to think they have an infinite supply of gliders? they dont inform people of the work gliders need to become a tame pet. they were sending them home in small cages that are inadequate for the needs of the gliders. and to top it off, they charge a fortune for misinforming their customers! how can a glider live a happy and healthy life with the way they promote them? they cant..... if youre interested in gliders as pets look into local breeders!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I recently bought a sugar glider from Pocket Pets and I can only confirm all of the negative things I have been reading and am shocked at what I have discovered. I had told my husband about Sugar gliders because my little cousin has one, but because ofmthe expense it was out of the question. Low and behold, one day while we are out shopping at a local mall, there was a sugar bear exhibit by Pocket Pets where they were selling them. Because my husband is extremely impulsive at times, he totally bought into the idea, along with my three year old son. Because I knew nothing about them and was leery of spending so much on a pet, I wanted to walk away in order to think about it. Before I knew it, we were signing papers for a little joey and purchasing every product they had to offer. We took him home and waited to receive the emails and links, but never heard from them. It was almost two weeks later when we finally looked them up and found a phone number, only to be referred to an email address, none of which are posted on the website. Eventually, I gained access to the "family circle" but have yet to receive the daily email and have given up on the promise of them calling and giving their personal cell numbers like they claimed was all part of their services. I read everything on the website and avoided the message boards like they said because I believed every word they said. In knowing the dirty tactics behind exotic animals
ReplyDeleteDid you end up getting your pet?
DeleteI knew it was too good to be true that there wasn't anything fishy behind this. Because of my husband's impulsive decision, we are now owners and unwilling supporters of this fraudulent corporation. I will continue feeding them the food we bought because we bought the largest supply, but I will not purchase anything else from them. So shady and dirty! Although I believe my sugar glider is okay and well on the path to bonding, it's not been easy. I just can't believe the lies and am now prompted to do anything I can to educate others about this and to put a stop to mill breeders. I am so glad I made the decision to read something other than what Pocket Pets tries to shove down your throat. I am disgusted and sad that we got sucked into this, but now I can focus on giving my sugar glider, Apollo, the best that he deserves! Thank you for blogging!
ReplyDeleteAny outfit that sells 'exotic pets' through a shopping mall has got to be dodgy. The high-pressure sales to ill-informed people as an impulse buy shows an immoral disregard for these creatures. Given they way they sell the animals, I'd be surprised if their back-end breeding program was anything but money-driven and cruel too. Don't buy a pet from Pocket Pets, in fact, don't buy a sugar glider: they are expensive and difficult to look after properly and keeping them in your home is utterly unnatural to these simple flying creatures. Kat, you sound like a responsible owner and are doing the right thing by your new creature, so I'm not having a go at you, rather the system that breeds these animals for profit. As for the online sugar glider community: everything I've read suggests they're a poorly educated weird bunch, with their over the top conspiracy theories, endless online arguments over feeding and cutesy-wutesy talk. Maladjusted is the word that springs to mind. It's a shame these animals were ever legalised as pets in the US: it disgusts Australians by the way.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I saw the pocket pet demo at the mall and I fell in love but my wonderful husband asked me to wait until we could find a local breeder. We found a local breeder, got a great deal on 2 females and absolutely love them. We named them Thelma and Louise, Louise has already gotten very attached but Thelma is still having some crabbing moments. It has been exactly 4 weeks and I can't imagine our life without them. Each minute with them is great. We definitely encourage anyone interested in getting a glider to check out Paula at First Coast Sugar Gliders in Jacksonville, FL. Paula is great to work with, has been breeding for 10 years and works with the animal rescues.
ReplyDeleteIm getting my glider from Paula too! Im just waiting for a glider that is not as expensive as the mosaic male they have. But yes PPP is an evil company. My friend got one and it died since it was too young! She cried so much. I tried to help my best friend by emailing PPP but they never replied.
DeleteLike SO many I stumbled upon Pocket Pets by pure accident at my local mall. After watching the gentlemen interacting with their sugars babies and hearing their pitch I went home and thought about whether or not I should max my card to get one. I went back the next day in a hurry because they told me that they were only going to be in town until 6pm that night to purchase my very own sugar bear(only to find out that they were telling everyone there that they were going to be there until the following day). On Jan. 8th I purchased Teddy with his cage and accessories. There were so many people waiting to purchase in a tiny confined space that the process felt rushed. When I got home with Teddy I set up his cage exactly as I was told. I read everything I could find available on the Pocket Pets website before receiving access to their "Family Circle" a day later. Everything seemed to be going perfect. He ate his food every day, got his slice of apple and finished it every night, and from day two was drinking his gatorade/water mix from the water bottle. On Jan. 17th I woke up to find Teddy sprawled on the cage floor. He passed away. Instead of having a phone number to call, I have an email address. I was told I would get phone numbers for the experts, never happened. I want answers. Why did this happen? Pocket Pet's warranty will only replace a pet if something happens within 3 days and/or 2 weeks for an extra $100...and I have to wait until they come back a year from now!?!?!
ReplyDeleteP.S.
When I was waiting in line to buy Teddy a woman was rushed to stand behind a curtain...I heard her tell them that her pet died the day after she got him....I should have stopped right then and there..
i got mine on the same day (1/8/12) and my male glider died a few days ago too. i was told i could get a new one and to email "adam" on 1/20/12 to find out when theyd be in the nh area again. i was never told id h ave to pay another $100 and if thats the case then i found a local breeder that is very nice. i met with her a few days after i purchased my gliders and she told me that they were only 4 weeks and not 8. im also planning on buying a different cage because ive heard bad things about the cages that pocket pets makes you get and i did notice chew marks on my gliders cage so im wondering if thats why he died.
DeleteUnbelievable! We were actually contacted recently by the company saying that they were going to by in the NH area this coming weekend and they would replace out sugar glider for no extra cost. His exact words really bothered me because he said "I'll give you a new one and we can put this behind us." Like it was under the table or something. I'm too afraid to even get another one because I can not take something like this happening again! After Teddy died I did some research and I also found websites claiming that the cages did not meet standards for gliders...
DeleteIt's really upsetting me the more I read these. I was an impulsive buyer at saw Pocket Pets set up at my local mall. There people crowding around left and right watching these creatures glide from one trainer to the other. We opted to purchase a baby girl. We were assured that she had seen a vet 72 hours prior to her adoption. Given her cage and all of her food, vitamins, and instructions. Signed the paperwork, and forked over 700 dollars to these people. Since the time she was in my pouch on the way home, and for the next two days she was very lethargic. Not a whole lot of energry, and wouldnt eat or drink anything. We contacted the company and explained the situation and we were ordered to try the applesauce and yogurt. If that didn't work try some scrambled eggs and the ERM they claim will perk your glider right back up. The second night we had her, I knew she was dying. I took videos of her, emailed them to their emergency health email, and assured them that I was positive she wasn't going to make it through the night. She did not. They gave me their condolenses and told me that their regional director would be in contact with me soon. While I waited for him to contact me I started doing research on the comapny. I should have definitely done this PRIOR to adopting the sugar glider. Horrified, I emailed them and explained my findings and asked for answers. I finally recieved a call from Matt, their regional director. He asked for all of her symptoms, and after hearing them all he said unfortunately some of them just don't make it. That it VERY RARELY happens, but when it does, they all take it personally and he was so sorry. Crock of shit! Since we are in the 3 day warranty window he told me that they would replace our baby at no extra cost. I was then told they wouldn't be in the area for at least a few months and to keep emailing him asking when they would be and that when they were he would let me know and I could come pick up a new baby.
DeleteWe adopted her last weekend. 2/18/2012. I'm seeing that your experiences were fairly recent and I'm thinking about possibly contacting a news station or something to get this stuff out to the public so that when they do come back everyone is very well informed and no one buys these poor animals from them. I'm not sure if it will work, but we have got to do something. I've already contacted all of the malls in the area and informed them of what has been happening and warned them to please not allow this company to come back. How many more babies have to die? So frustrating! If you guys hear of any other problems others have had with Pocket Pets or you want to email me yours so I hav a pile of proof to hand over to the reporters, send em my way. My email is alxhoskinson@yahoo.com. Thanks!
Is there anyone that still has Adams email address from Pocketpets? I too have purchased a sugar glided that passed exactly one week from purchasing her:( if you do please contact me at angelbaby69818@gmail.com thank you
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I, like so many others have had an experience with Pocket Pets at our local pet expo. And ours, like others have both died. We made an emergency visit to our vet, which was familiar with sugar gliders, to try and save the female when we noticed her being lethargic, and they stated from the autopsy that it was an abscess that had ruptured and caused a blood infection, killing her. We never noticed any swelling or anything. This was 1 week after we got her. Our male passed 2 days later from a sore he got on his foot that became infected, that we were treating with antibiotic, as recommended by the people at pocket pets. We did take him with our female to the vet, and they gave a quick look and said that his foot was scabbing, and should be ok as well. After just contacting "Adam" he stated that it was of course very rare that 2 would both die, offered his condolences, etc, and stated that we would have to get in touch with him every couple weeks to see when they would be in the area. BS. We would still like to adopt gliders in the future, but are looking for a reputable breeder. Also will be filling a complaint with the BBB about this company. I could care less about the $1000 that we have invested at this point, but have fallen in love with these little creatures, and are looking for more. If anyone knows of a good breeder near WV, PA, MD area, please let me know. truenite@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteYikes! We almost bought from them today and now I just plan to hold off. While they seem like the perfect pet for us (my husband is disabled), I think we'll wait to find a local breeder! Thanks for putting this info out there!
ReplyDeleteLisa
A quick question how did you get permission to use my photo on this site??
ReplyDeleteoh dear lord,
ReplyDeleteI spent 740.00 yesterday with Pocket Pets and I am supposed to receive my 8wk old gliders on Friday. I am ready to go back to the mall and ask for a refund. But I am so excited about them.
I bought from pocket pets a week ago my babies are doing great and bonding well with us and pocket pets have been very informative and send emails daily about how to care for them I also have the personnel email address from the lady that helped me I talked to her for three days before I bought my babies they are soo sweet I love them
ReplyDeleteBought 2 from pocket pets. After only three days Rosey would climb right on your hand and ready to play. Addie is not tamed yet, still working with her. Me and the kids were very attached to Rosey already, she was so sweet! But after 1 week she was gone. Don't know if I can continue with Addie. I have emailed Pocket Pets and looking forward to how they respond. I will post back with their response.
ReplyDeleteSo sad,
Scott
We purchased from PocketPets about five weeks ago and no problems so far. We had a slight scare because one had direha and the other constipation, but I'll admit that those two conditions were my fault.
ReplyDeleteI contacted pocket pets and they gave back a reply and there are no more problems.
Theyre both tame and we did what the site told us and they have shown great love and so far they are healthy, to my knowledge.
I went in inexperienced, I'll admit, and they make it seem really easy to care for them... Well, it's not that easy. I was swept up but I read and watched and no problems arose, not with them being the cause. I'm just hoping that nothing bad happens in the future but so far what were doing is good.
I bought one sugar glider from Pocket pets at a mall here in Tampa in 1/10. He is super awesome, no health concerns. I did exactly as they told me to. I got the emails every day from them. If i email them, they call me right away. I get him out in my pocket for an hour every night and play with him outside his cage for at least an hour before i go to bed. I do have a bigger cage for him then the one he came with. He loves everybody, he is super happy. It all depends on how much attention you show them. If you leave them in a cage and never mess with them, they will be mean and probably die of boredom or from chewing on themselves. I am sure the company sells them by the thousands, but I got a good one. And you can purchase one at a time if you actually spend time with them.
ReplyDeleteWe bought what we thought was a male at Brookfield Mall in WI and learned after 3 weeks that it was a female. Unfortunately it died 4 weeks after we got her. We talked to the regional manager ADAM and he was willing to replace for $100 pending when they are in the area, we will let you know if that ever happens. Don't have a good feeling about this company either.
ReplyDeleteWe purchased one from them in July. Great support from the company...lots and lots and lots of emails! Videos on the webpage, print outs, tips...have had great deal of info on how to care for our baby. We did lose our baby the day after we had new carpet installed...I didn't realize how bad the fumes would be. Left the doors open but not long enough :( We had him almost 5 months and he was perfectly healthy and happy. Pocket pets was quick to reply to my email and very very helpful although it was way out of what they offer for their guarantee time frame. I received personal emails and phone calls with in minutes. I could not be happier with this company. We decided to get a new baby and he has been with us 2 days now. Very health, active and already wants to be near us. Looking forward to lots of love with this little one :)
ReplyDeleteI only stumbled upon this site because a local rescue group here has been doing nothing but bashing the company. Saying that Pocket Pets doesn't give enough info and what-not. That completely contradicts my own personal experience. This blog is the first upon my research that had people discuss actually losing babies from Pocket Pets. My condolences to all.
~Beverly
The reason this company is so bad is because of the misinformation they give. Sugar Gliders are EXOTIC tree dwelling animals. They require expert care, far more than a dog or cat. They need a fruit and vegetable diet. PP diet will actually stain the fur to a brown color when they should be grey. They also sell joeys that are far too young. They claim the joeys are 8 weeks old but they definitely are not. I have weighed joeys bought the day of, and they have weighed about 40 grams. The average weight of a 5 week old joey. This is why they sell heat rocks. Being so young, the poor babies cannot regulate their body temperature. PP also will sell single gliders. This is a huge no no. Sugar Gliders are colony animals. They need the social interaction with another of their species. Sugar Gliders have actually been known to self mutilate from loneliness and depression. The cage they sell has also been known to cause sickness and in some cases, even kill the Sugar Gliders in them. It is also much too small. They need large cages to run and glide around in. A good sized age is probably 3-4 times larger than the one they sell.
DeleteWhile you have had a good experience with PP, far too many people have not.
-Jordyn
Hi Kat,
ReplyDeleteI noticed something you wrote on a glider forum and was interested in hearing what your final impressions were of Pocket Pets. I have two gliders now, one for over 3 years (that I purchased from PP), and another one I rescued. I recently went to purchase more food and wanted to see if there might be something less expensive than glide-r-chow and my search was bombarded by what I would describe as fanatics on all the forums. Apparently practically everyone's vets are paid off and if you don't hate PP you are a spy for the company. Considering you seem to be an intelligent person who now has done a lot of research maybe I could hear your take?
Well. I just made an impulse buy of two gliders, one male and one female from pocket pets in Vermont. They are both super active and appear healthy. I've done tons of reading since buying them. Some good some not so much. I'm a little freaked out about all the negative info about pocketpets and these little critters. I'm an animal lover and want to take great care of them. I've only had them for two days so we are just starting the bonding process. They are getting better about letting us pet them in the cage but they seem really scared. We tried one episode today out of the cage and they lt us pet them but don't want to be picked up. I've got a 4 year old grandson who adores them and a 15 year old who really wants this to work. Do they really make good pets? I'm not so concerned about the money I just want to do what's right for these little animals and give them a good happy home. Any advice would be well received here in Vermont.
ReplyDeletehi im 12 years old and I really want to get a sugar bear but I have no idea where to get on. I also don't know if it is true that sugar bears are nice and easy to bond with. can someone please tell me the truth about then because I have looked at 1000 of sites and none are the same as one another.
ReplyDeleteand from what I have read from other comments on here it seems that the websites I have read are not true.
ReplyDeleteWe purchased our sugar glider Clyde from pp about 3 weeks ago. The first week went great, but by the second week he was acting lethargic and began biting. We contacted pp and followed all their instructions. We had to end up taking him to the emergency vet and he had to stay overnight and be on antibiotics. This week he seemed better but then today he just seemed not himself. We gave him his nightly apple and then checked on him later and he wasn't breathing. We rushed to the vets but there was nothing they could do, he was gone. I don't know what happened and I'm so sad that he is gone. We didn't do our rwsearch and now we know better. We loved him so much and will always be the first member of our little family.
ReplyDeleteI bought a glider from POCKET PETS @ Florida State Fair and he died in less than 30 days after getting him. I'm so upset cried for days. Now I am just plain pissed!!! My poor children were the ones that found skeeter and are so traumatized:( Very interested to see what the company does to make this right.
ReplyDeleteLisa H.
I bought 2 sugar gliders from Pocket Pets and found out that they were to young to leave their mother. I did everything I could to make sure they were warm and could eat, but 1 got sick within days. I took 2 trips to the emergancy vet and was told that they were more then likely sick when I bought them! I spent a forutne treating them. Also other people who bought pets the same time as me brought their gliders in who were sick or had died. Then they hated me for having to poke and prod and medicate them and they bit and didn't want to bond. I finally have them at a level that they don't mind being picked up but they don't like to be petted prefering to run over my body. Also the cage they come with is not big enough at all, they need a much bigger cage and the food is very expensive and they go through it very quickly, the company sells way too little for way to much cost! They are very misinformative. I would not recomend Pocket Pets to anyone! They are a scam, selling inbred too young sick gliders for a small fortune. Their customer service was spotty and their web site has no blog to chat with others and only posts what they think is great. Pocket Pets has been investigated and had several complaints and run ins with the Better Business Bureau. I am thankful my babies lived but I would not have bought them if I knew what a hassle buying them, and then caring for them would entail.
ReplyDeleteIf you could email me, I would very much enjoy hearing more about what happened. My email is hockeyblue16@gmail.com
DeleteWas in Clarksville,Tenn. at the mall and pocketpets was there and I was wanted one but didn't have the money they wanted like 538.00 for one if I had the money I would have got one but now from reading this I'm worried about getting one
ReplyDeleteTo those who believe that Pocket Pets breeds them privaelty, I have an insight from a staff member at the Las Vegas United Cargo office. I went in one morning to ship a pair to a client and she told me I had just missed the crate they had just sent off. It was from a local breeder who often came in shipping to the same person, but in different locations. She told me she was always a bit sad when the shipment left because it was always very heavy and filled with many animals. She told me this crate contained close to 30 young gliders all crammed in there. I asked who the person was receiving and I was told it was a representative from a company known as Pocket Pets. So, for those who believe they are a private breeder, sorry. I don't buy it. They couldn't possibly have time to take care of all the hundreds of animals they sell every month when they are traveling all over the country selling them. They have breeders all over the country who fill quotas for them at the different events they sell at each weekend.
ReplyDeleteHello!
ReplyDeleteI am a new mom to a sugar glider that I got from PP. So far my baby is doing very well but I am really disappointed in the guy who sold him to me to say the least. He doesn't return phone calls, texts, etc. lately. Although, at first he did. I can count on one hand the questions I've had so it's not like I am bothering him. Especially for the money I spent. I've read so many bad things about the company that I am very skeptical about buying their food now. Is there a legitimate website or source to find out what to feed him without getting the smell that everyone talks about and also to get other good information?
I bought my boys locally, and they gave me a recipe to make for mine and I just sprinkle the vitamins on top of it every night. They LOVE it. It makes about a months worth for one sugar glider.
Deletehttps://www.thepetglider.com/pages/the-glider-nutrition-system
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ReplyDeleteLove my Sugar Glider. He was so sweet. He passed away in the night. No idea why.
ReplyDeleteAll I have to say about Pocket Pets is do NOT believe their lifetime guarantee hype.
In order for it to (maybe) work, you have to purchase EVERYTHING from them. food, toys, etc.
if you grab something from your local walmart or pet store, don't expect them to honor the guarantee, but instead "the first option involves your working with us to correct any of the potential issues that have been identified. In this option we would provide a customized plan to adopt another animal at a discounted price"
Just a heads up.
I have not purchased yet, but they want me to pay for it through a link and it will be delivered to my home in about 4 weeks. Has anyone else done this, and is it legit. I don't want to be scammed, so doing some research.
ReplyDeleteThank you this was very helpful. I've been looking to get one for a while now. I used pocket pets but I would miss their calls. When I called them back it would go to voicemail even though in the text it said call back. I'm still in search for one. So does anyone have a good site or place i could get one.
ReplyDelete