Is It Legal To Have A Sugar Glider As A Pet
Introduction
If you’re considering purchasing a sugar glider as a pet, then you may be wondering if it is legal to have one in your state.
The answer is both yes and no, depending on which state you live in. Some states allow them without any restrictions, while others only allow them to be kept at zoos or research facilities. Some states prohibit the ownership of sugar gliders altogether because they are considered exotic animals that could pose risks to native wildlife populations if released into their habitat.
Are Sugar Gliders Legal as Pets?
Sugar gliders are legal to own in all states. However, some states do require a permit or license. In addition, you should check with your state’s department of agriculture to learn more about any legal requirements for owning sugar gliders and any other exotic animals.
In some cases, you may need to obtain a health certificate from an accredited veterinarian before bringing your new pet home. This is required by most states that allow you to purchase a sugar glider (and any other exotic pet). The health certificate will let you know if your animal is healthy and free of infectious diseases like rabies or parasites such as fleas or ticks. If it has been treated for these conditions, then the veterinarian will give you written proof stating this information so that you can have it on hand when checking into an airline reservation system during travel with the animal!
Is It Illegal To Own A Sugar Glider?
In most states, it is legal to own a sugar glider. However, some states do not allow it and some cities and counties may also have specific regulations that prohibit owning one. Check with your state’s Department of Agriculture to make sure that you are following all the laws before buying a pet sugar glider.
What States Allow You To Own A Sugar Glider?
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
What Other States Allow You To Own A Sugar Glider?
As an owner of a sugar glider, you want to make sure that your pet is legal in your state. If it isn’t, you could face fines or even jail time for illegally keeping the animal as a pet. The following states allow for the ownership of sugar gliders:
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California (Los Angeles and San Francisco only)
Colorado (Denver only)
Connecticut (Hartford County only) – Delaware – Florida – Georgia – Hawaii – Idaho * Illinois * Indiana * Iowa

What States Don’t Allow You To Keep A Sugar Glider?
The information below is a list of states that don’t allow sugar gliders as pets. This list was researched by the Humane Society of the United States and we have updated it in 2019.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona – Maricopa County (Phoenix)
Arkansas – Pulaski County (Little Rock)
Colorado – El Paso County (Colorado Springs)
Georgia – Fulton County (Atlanta) and Cobb County (Smyrna)
Idaho Indiana Illinois Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Ohio Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Does The City Where You Live Matter?
Many countries and cities have laws that prohibit the ownership of a sugar glider as a pet. For example, sugar gliders are illegal in many Australian states. If you live in one of these areas, you will not be able to keep a sugar glider as a pet.
If you do not live in an area where it is illegal for people to own sugar gliders, then you can keep one without needing any special permits or licenses.
Many states allow you to have this pet, but some do not.
The issue of sugar glider legality can be a bit complex. The United States is a very large country, and state laws are often different from one another. In addition, cities and counties often have their own rules about what animals you may keep as pets. Because of this complexity, it’s difficult to give an exact answer about the legality of owning a sugar glider in your area.
The good news is that many states allow you to have this pet! While some states still consider it illegal or at least require special permits from local authorities, most states allow you to own a sugar glider as long as they meet certain criteria:
- They are kept indoors (not outside)
- They are not allowed on public transportation
- They cannot be bred without a breeding permit
Conclusion
In order to find out if you can own a pet sugar glider in your state, you will need to do some research. You can start by checking with the local or state government to see what their laws are for this type of animal, but also make sure that you find out about any rules that may apply at home too. If you live in an apartment building, there could be policies against owning exotic animals as pets. If so, you should look into getting your sugar glider from a shelter instead of buying one from a breeder since these shelters often have strict rules about who can adopt their animals.”