Rescue Gliders

[Nell]

Hi all, my partner and I have been asked to rehome some rescue gliders as their current owner hasn't the time to spend with them. It's quite a complex situation as the male was actually seized by the RSPCA after being found surrounded by his dead cage mates it never ceases to amaze me how god awful humans can be!

The pair are timid, and not hand tame, but have never bitten and will take food from your hands. I intend to take it very slowly and gently with these two, but I'd be very grateful for any advice in regard to bonding with such a traumatised suggie. In the words of his current owner he's got a screw loose, however they successfully reared a joey earlier in the year, so I think this is a good sign.

[Marie]

The poor little guy!    

Firstly get him on a good diet, I also recommend you give him Zolcal D daily for while - depends how bad his diet was.  Do you know what he was being fed? 

I wouldn't worry about bonding at this stage, get him back to good health first.  Allow him to settle in for a couple of weeks, offer him treats and see how he is emotionally, how willing he is to come over and say hi and take the treats and then look at bonding.

[Nell]

I know it's vile isn't it! He's currently in good hands, and I think is in v good health as the RSPCA nursed him back before rehoming him and the current owner has had him a little while, but is just needing a new home as she has other rather predatory animals, and can't spend much time with him and his mate. I'm not sure of his diet, as I've only had a 15 minute phone call with the current owner so far, but will find out and get back to you.

I really can't fathom how anyone could treat a suggy like that 

[Marie]

Hopefully his current owner has him on a good diet, have a good chat with them when you collect him just to be sure .  Rescue gliders can end up costing you a lot of money, but hopefully he's been nursed past the worst of it.

[Nell]

Yeah there's no making up for poor nutrition over a long period really. Thankfully the manfriend and I have been saving up for vet costs for a while so if they have any further issues we can get it sorted quickly!