I was asked to post this warning here where it can be kept on record.
It has been brought to my attention that a warning needs to be posted. I have been informed of the following activities, and checked around with others to verify that there is truth in each one, with actual on-scene witnesses in some cases. Some of the pictures speak for themselves. Please avoid doing business with or contributing to Az Sugar Glider Rescue, run by Tamra Rothenburger and her husband Dan. She is also working closely with a breeder named Derrick who has his own terrible practices. This ugly history started almost two years ago, and their track record has grown quite a bit in that time.
Failure to vet rescues and personal pet gliders in great need of vet care (several counts)
Adopting out rescues still in great need of vet care, leading to death in the new home
Failure to follow vet instructions
Failure to provide proper aftercare, leading to death
Allowing rescues to breed
Selling rescues for a profit
Acquiring expensive personal pet gliders in favor of using the money on currently needed vet care
Allowing her dogs regular contact with her gliders
Repeatedly using poor judgment when it comes to the safety of her gliders, in at least one case leading to death due to lack of vet care
Begging individuals for cash donations to cover vet bills, food, and supplies
Threatening individuals repeatedly with physical harm
Identity fraud leading to defamation of a respected individual's reputation
A very well respected glider vet in AZ refused to work with her any longer due to her inability to follow aftercare instructions, if that says anything about her purposeful neglect.
Website:
www.azsugargliderrescue.comhttp://www.scrapbookingmoms.com/azsuggies/index.html (Derrick's connected site)
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/azsugargliderrescueArticle recently released after her glider gathering, including photos and participation from both Tamra and Derrick
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2143251/Is-bird-Is-squirrel-ADORABLE-photographs-incredible-furry-sugar-glider-Down-Under--FLY.htmlSeveral individuals have contacted me with their own horror stories about Tamra since this was originally posted a few days ago, including at least one person that has told me about the condition of the inside of her house. Gliders are housed in tiny cages or aquariums, there were many with open wounds, she was asking $500 for a single m/f pair. Her personal gliders are not kept in a cage and interact with other pets on a regular basis. In one case, her glider Apollo swallowed a foxtail weed off of her dog's back and he died a few days later, the vet said she could have saved him if she had taken him in when he had been showing obvious signs of distress. Most that have contacted me wish to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation. [content removed by administration]. Not a single person in the AZ/NM area will put their name on these testimonies. She is also a master manipulator and can talk herself out of situations easily. Please be very cautious if you solicit contact with her for any reason.
Photos:
This glider is one of her personal pets, we believe it was adopted from Priscilla. She has had it long enough to know that the coat condition is due to her care and not the breeder's. Many have concerns about the way its fur looks. I've heard she supposedly feeds Priscilla's, but she has admitted in previous communications that she had no money for food for them, so no one knows for sure.
This picture was taken a day after she took this male in. As you can see, the wound on his neck is bad but it has plenty of potential for recovery. His fur is relatively healthy looking.
This is the same male with his cagemate, after several weeks with Tamra. He was only vetted weeks after she took him in for a neuter. This picture was taken shortly before this pair was adopted--yes, they were adopted in this shape to a first time glider owner. The male with the neck wound died shortly after adoption.
Fri Jun 15, 2012 9:16 pm
