44 sugar gliders up for adoption after mass surrender to animal shelter

BOSTON — Two New England animal shelters are seeking experienced pet owners after a record-breaking number of sugar gliders were surrendered to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“It’s by far the largest ever surrender of sugar gliders -- tiny ‘gliding’ marsupials that can slip through the air like flying squirrels -- that the MSPCA-Angell has ever seen, and now the organization’s adoption centers in Jamaica Plain and Methuen, where 44 of them are taking shelter, have issued a call for experienced adopters to take one (or some) home for the Holidays,” Boston’s MSPCA-Angell announced.

According to the non-profit organization, the “previous owner became overwhelmed as the animals began to reproduce and turned to the MSPCA for help.”

Now 27 male sugar gliders and 17 females, mostly around 1 year old, are looking for a forever home.

“They’ll make wonderful pets for people who have experience with small mammal care,” the MSPCA stated.

The exotic animals, described as “friendly, social and healthy,” are omnivores that thrive on a protein-rich diet, including cooked eggs and green leafy vegetables. They are “playful and curious animals who love to hang out with others of their own kind, as well as with people,” according to the MSPCA. Native to Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea, the marsupials have a natural affinity for pouches, like shirt pockets.

“Sugar gliders are extremely social animals and can make great pets, but they are exotic animals and need specialized care,” Mike Keiley, director of adoption centers and programs at MSPCA-Angell said, according WJAR.

Anyone interested in adopting can email adoption@mspca.org.

>> Read more trending news

Cox Media Group