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Bourbon's
State Restrictions 
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.
AL AK AR AZ CA CO CT DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD  MI

MO MN MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN

TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY

Any questions regarding federal Licenses, contact USDA Animal Care
and the sector office in your state. Ruth's Sugar Glider page has real good resources for "contacting the USDA " and licensing



State                                  Legality

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

UT SUGAR 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

 
 







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