Are Sugar Gliders legal in Switzerland?

Family, Education, Health and Pets
1
Sugar Gliders are known for being affectionate, intelligent pets. They are originally from Australia. I know in some US states, like California, they are illegal because they are considered "exotic pets".

My fiancee and I are students, and we think a sugar glider will be the perfect pet since we live in an apartment and have no room for a dog. We have been searching the internet for where to buy a sugar glider in Switzerland, but can't find any information on legality or breeders. Is there a translation for "sugar glider"?

Are there any owners out there?

2
I had a look around and it looks like a cute animal I found an advert where there was one for sale in the french part of CH -> therefore I would assume them to be legal pets in CH.

http://www.animaleriedugibloux.ch/ru...tem=829220&qte =

maybe this is a shop ?

http://zooroco.ch/index.htm?http://z...garglider.htm\

this page says:

In der Schweiz braucht es zur Haltung von Sugar Glider eine Haltebewilligung. Diese wird vom kantonalen Veterinäramt vergeben.

Which basically says that you need a permit to have one in CH. This permit is given by the Kantonal Vet Association (or something like that)

3
According to those 2 links, they are legal pets, but special authorisation from you cantonal veterinary office is required.

4
Had a quick look as well. At least they are not restricted by CITES (international agreement on protection of endangered species). So, importation should not be illegal. There may be certain paperwork to fill in if brought in from the EU.

As I understand Swiss animal law (which changed in 2008-09), you would be required to buy TWO of these. Animals such as guinea pigs etc. must now be purchased in pairs.

5
Hi CDM,

you need an authorization.

Good information (only German):

http://www.sugarglider.de/berichte/schweiz.htm

You can obtain it from this department in Ticino (the authoization):

Veterinäramt Kt. Tessin

Via Dogana 16

6501 Bellinzona

Tel.: 091 814 41 00

Fax: 091 814 44 44

E-mail: dss-uvc(at)ti.ch;)

6
Erm, they're nocturnal and need lots of social interaction. Is this really going to work?

7
Is not the same true for hamsters... I personally have only time in the evenings, so I would only consider a nocturnal animal. (Ok, I have fish, but their ability of social interaction with me is somewhat limited).

8
Why, do you bore them?

9
They should fit right in with the beer drinking late partying student crowd

10
And according to the the 2nd link, they're also not too fussy where they pi$$ and $hit

11
Hamsters are nocturnal but they're not as social, more or less happy to snuffle around by themselves all through the night. I've never had a sugar glider, but apparently they

(1) should be kept in pairs or groups;

(2) need several hours of human interaction a day;

(3) if they don't get it, are likely to become depressed, curl up and die.

Sound a bit high-maintenance to me. (They're awfully cute though! )

12
my buddy in the US had one. cutest thing ever but indeed need lots of attention.

have been considering one here also but if you travel across the border often it might be a little hard .......

13
In addition to permit issues and meeting BVet housing requirements, two other things to research before proceeding:

- Veterinary care - not all vets have the experience needed to care for exotic pets. You need to find a vet who can provide appropriate care before you go further.

- You mention that you are students - what will happen to your pet after your studies? Do you plan to stay in Switzerland, and if not, what if your next move is to a country/state/city where keeping a sugar glider is not allowed?

I don't mean to preach (well, not much ), but when one takes on a pet one makes a commitment, one becomes responsible for it's welfare for its natural life. From a quick google, pet sugar gliders have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. Before you decide on a pet, just make sure that you have looked ahead and thought about where your life might take you in the next 10-15 years.

(They are seriously cute, I'll agree.)

But the first question one should always ask oneself before getting any kind of pet is: Can I provide the right kind of home for this animal, for his/her natural life?

14
...and if you, like many other ex-pats/students/world citizens, are aiming to go abroad/home on holiday - who is going to give these lovely creatures the attention they need then? At a rough guess kennels and catteries are not going to be much help.

15
No, I actually try to entertain them but they seem to prefer to stick to their own kind .

16
Are you talking about hamsters or EFers ????

17
The German translation is Kurzkopfgleitbeutler. The cantonal veterinary office is only responsible for the husbandry permission. Another permission is necessary for the import of sugar gliders, this permission can be obtained from the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office based on the cantonal permission. One of the respective requirements is an appropriately sized enclosure (3+ m2 and 6+ m3).

Martin

18
My brother used to have one in the US... they do require a lot of care and attention and although many of us have some experience with pets that are more active at night (whether cats or hamsters and other caged rodents), Sugar Gliders are VERY much nocturnal.

If you are not working / living such hours that mean that you truly are active at night time as well, you will not get much sleep!

And yes, if something happens where you can not give them the attention they need, they do become noticeably depressed. I think this is resolved a bit by the Swiss laws requiring pairs but it also means that if you "only" have a pair, if one dies, you MUST get another one to keep it company or else the remaining one will die of loneliness and heartbreak.

19
How are you every going to get rid of 'm then ?

20
Well, afaik the law requires you to start out with them in pairs, if one dies, you are not required by law to get another... at least, that's how hubby explained about his one guinea pig.

Knowing that you will have to be extra attentive to the remaining Sugar Glider in order to keep it from dying of loneliness and heartbreak may just force you to get another though.