Dear Hokie:

I found an injured squirrel in my yard. Normally I like to chase them, but this fella is obviously in no mood to play. What can I do?

Signed, Rufus J. Dog


Dear Rufus:

I know how you feel -- I like to chase squirrels, too, but I'd certainly want to help one in need!

When dealing with injured wildlife, please don't try to handle the animal yourself. Instead, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator. They are trained to care for sick, injured and orphaned wild animals so they can eventually be returned to their natural habitats.

To find one in your area, try this online database:
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm

You can also call your state wildlife, environmental or natural resources agency. Your vet or local animal shelter may be able to refer you, too. And personally, I think I might think twice the next time I want to chase a squirrel!

Love and kisses, Hokie

Hi Hokie and Rufus,

As a previous wildlife volunteer, I can tell you if you don't have a local wildlife agency available to help this squirrel, I would suggest calling your local animal control. Oftentimes they will pick up injured wildlife and then see that it gets to an agency that can care for the animal.

As you probably know, squirrels have sharp teeth so only a person with experience should attempt to handle it.

Good luck.

MarieClaire

Hello Hokie,
I was reading the letter about the squirrel with interest. Four years ago my husband brought me home a very dehydrated very tiny baby squirrel.He was just about to be a crows lunch when he was rescued just in time. We called the different animal agencies they told us they were just a tree rat and not to bother. That there was little to be done and to just let it go. We had no idea where the nest was and he was too small to fend for himself. I could find nothing in regards to what to feed him not any help.His tail was so small he hardly had one, about the size of the tip of my baby finger. I named him Miracle as from what I had been told it would take one. He had an injury and the little mites on him weighed more than he did! I found a small eye dropper and gave him fluids, kept him in a small box lined with soft socks. I kept him near me. I would rub the outside of the box and he would go there and rub his face. Well to try and shorten this he made it to 2 months and got out of the house. We did not see him again till one day two weeks later. I was looking out my basement window and at the glass was Miracle I could not believe my eyes! I scooped him up he had a bad wound on his tail, the fur was missing, it was red and inflamed at the groin also and he was weak. He could now fit in my hand he had grown but was still small. I bathed him under the tap dried him gently and added polysporin. He came through that and stayed with us till he was 5 months. We called the shelters who said I could get in trouble for this.... That the squirrel would not survive but would most likely attack people, that I had most likely not fed him correctly and his bones would be easily broken. We had acorns and grubs and other out door squirrel food. We gave him cooked unsalted chicken. We even took some of the sap from the tree where the squirrels would get it. We did the best we could, I knew he would have to go one day but he beat me to it and left. We saw him three more times through the year he made a nest a block from our home. The years following we had more of them visit our yard and some looked a lot like Miracle. No small miracle was he. I am not sure if I did the right thing,but I would do it again with a bit more information. We almost did have one again but we knew where the nest was so returned him. They live in my roof hehe.The main thing here is he was a baby and not biting yet. He never bit me during his stay. I would try to get help for an older injured animal,keep trying till someone listens then make sure they really take care of them. I loved my Miracle!

Hi Imperfectvessel,

What a heartwarming story. There is only one thing you said that REALLY concerns me. You stated:

quote:

They live in my roof...

Are you saying they live in your attic? If so, no matter how much you love them you MUST get them out of there. My neighbor's house burned down because the squirrels had been living in her attic and chewed the wires.

Newt

Hello again this is Imperfectvessel I lost my info to acess my acount. Sorry but I had to open a new one after I re-read my post. I should have waited till I had sleep to write that out . Yes I did say they were living in my attic roof. Forgive me I had a brain freeze yes it is very bad to have any animal living in a roof area. Till now I have let it go because my landlord cares not for his tenants. We have made many repeated requests to no avail, today I have contacted the city to take care of that for him :O) I am hoping they can live trap them and make everyone happy... well almost everyone except the home owner Scrooge. Thank you for bringing that comment to my attention! Now doe the record I would like to know the correct food for infant squirrels and adults. I would very much apreciate your input about wether caring for the little squirrel was the thing to do. We spent the whole day we found him trying to find somewhere to take him but there was no where. Believe it or not the story was only the half of it I will write about it one day. He had a great will to live he touched my heart. He was No Small Miracle!

quote:

Originally posted by Newt:
Hi Imperfectvessel,

What a heartwarming story. There is only one thing you said that REALLY concerns me. You stated:

quote:

They live in my roof...

Are you saying they live in your attic? If so, no matter how much you love them you MUST get them out of there. My neighbor's house burned down because the squirrels had been living in her attic and chewed the wires.

Newt

Glad to see you back! I'm not sure what your city will do for you about removing the squirrels and inspecting the wiring, but if this has been going on for some time then the danger of chewed wires is even greater. Maybe the fire department will help with inspection or the city will require an electrician to inspect. I hope you stay on top of this one for your own safety.

As to rescue and rehab of wildlife, it's really best that a trained wildlife rehabilitator care for an infant or injured animal. They are trained in what to feed them and exactly when to release them. I'm not saying that you did wrong, as I probably would have done the same in your situation if I couldn't find someone to care for it. I'm glad there was a happy ending for Miracle too. Here's how to find a wildlife rehabilitator.
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm

I really don't know what to feed an infant squirrel but there are special formulas for wildlife. A friend of mine once did the same thing you did. In her case she kept the squirrel a bit too long and it tore up her house one day. When she released it, it was a bad time of year for it to find shelter.

I'm certain that if you find yourself in a similar situation one day, and can't locate a licensed rehabilitator, a google search about what to feed would be helpful. If not, that link I gave you might have some helpful links on where to go for help. I did fine this wildlife forum that might be helpful from it. \they even have info on how you can train to become a wildlife rehabilitator.
http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/forum/index.php?sid...fab1e7959c38af0b024d

Hope that helps,
Newt

Yes you have helped I am on this attic problem now. I will keep the links and go read up. We let Miracle go in the spring and kept him in a large makeshift cage my husband fashioned. He spent a lot of time out of it and with us. My curtains still bare the marks. Once he matured he wanted out real bad but untill warmer weather he had to wait. We had him in our yard playing in the trees trying to make a nest then coming home for the night. We gathered acorns and chestnuts,yuck-grubs which I had seen them getting off the trees. The sap I had mentioned before was a favorite of our local squirrels so we brought in a sappy branch which he chewed daily. Playing tree for him kept him active and his mind busy. When he was really small keeping him hydrated with an eye dropper, giving him small amounts of watered down pablum mixed with a small amout of corn syrup kept our sleep at bay for days. Considering at the time I had no access to useful info we faired pretty well from our observations of these little guys over the years. Thanks again for your help and input. Now on to my serious attic problem take care! THE SQUIRREL LADY

quote:

Originally posted by Newt:
Glad to see you back! I'm not sure what your city will do for you about removing the squirrels and inspecting the wiring, but if this has been going on for some time then the danger of chewed wires is even greater. Maybe the fire department will help with inspection or the city will require an electrician to inspect. I hope you stay on top of this one for your own safety.

As to rescue and rehab of wildlife, it's really best that a trained wildlife rehabilitator care for an infant or injured animal. They are trained in what to feed them and exactly when to release them. I'm not saying that you did wrong, as I probably would have done the same in your situation if I couldn't find someone to care for it. I'm glad there was a happy ending for Miracle too. Here's how to find a wildlife rehabilitator.
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contact.htm

I really don't know what to feed an infant squirrel but there are special formulas for wildlife. A friend of mine once did the same thing you did. In her case she kept the squirrel a bit too long and it tore up her house one day. When she released it, it was a bad time of year for it to find shelter.

I'm certain that if you find yourself in a similar situation one day, and can't locate a licensed rehabilitator, a google search about what to feed would be helpful. If not, that link I gave you might have some helpful links on where to go for help. I did fine this wildlife forum that might be helpful from it. \they even have info on how you can train to become a wildlife rehabilitator.
http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/forum/index.php?sid...fab1e7959c38af0b024d

Hope that helps,
Newt

I'd love to know what you find when the attic is inspected and what the city required and did for you.

Newt