Urgent: Squirrels in Astoria, Queens to be killed

[graefin]

I'm bringing this over from Yahoo. The email addresses aren't going to come through.
===
Urgent Action Alert:
Stop Queens NYC Housing Co-Op From Terrorizing, Killing, & Orphaning Squirrels

The Queensview Co-op in Astoria, Queens has hired a nuisance wildlife control
operator (NWCO) to trap and kill squirrels who they’ve deemed to be nuisances.
Gray squirrels are intelligent, inquisitive and adaptive beings that can live to
be up to twelve years old in the wild. There are many ways to coexist with
squirrels without resorting to harming them, including using repellents and
excluding squirrels from entering areas (like attics, windows) by using chimney
caps and other methods (some information on dealing with squirrels can be found
at http://www.wildlifehotline.org/squirrel.html). There is no justification to
treat other sentient beings so inhumanely.

While the Queensview Co-op claims that the squirrels are being captured to be
released elsewhere, the fact is many NWCO companies lie about the final
disposition of the animals they trap. Furthermore, relocated wildlife suffers
high mortality rates. Any habitat that has sufficient food and nesting sites
for a particular species, most likely already has the maximum number of said
species sustained there. Thus, the NWCO companies are either killing animals
directly or releasing animals in inappropriate habitats to compete with the
animals who already live there inevitably leading to some animals suffering and
dying through starvation, exposure, man-made injuries (i.e. hit by cars due to
lack of familiarity with the area), or unnecessarily harmed in other ways.
Furthermore, April is one of the months when many female squirrels have nursing
young in the nest – leading to baby squirrels being orphaned and left to die of
dehydration, starvation and exposure when their mother’s are trapped.

The Queensview Co-Op claims the squirrels are chewing the wires of vehicles and
getting into homes. However, it is important to point out that not only is the
random trapping and removing/killing of the squirrels grossly inhumane and
unnecessary, it is not a viable long-term solution to conflicts with squirrels.
As nature works to ensure that all habitat is sufficiently utilized, new
squirrels will simply replace the ones trapped and killed. These squirrels will
also get into homes and chew wires if no habitat modification or repellents are
used. Thus, an endless and expensive cycle of inefficient and cruel trapping of
animals has the potential of becoming commonplace.

Write, call, fax, AND e-mail Queensview Co-Op demanding they cease trapping
immediately and find non-lethal AND humane methods of dealing with
human/squirrel conflicts.

Frank Marcovitz, Property Manager
Queensview Co-op
21-66 33rd Road
Astoria Queens, NY 11106
frank@...
(718) 728-5090
(718) 274-0567 (Fax)

Please send responses or any additional information regarding this issue to
EmptyCagesCollective@...

[island rehabber]

This is HORRIBLE. I will call, and write, and try to muster the NYC troops together. Queens!! :madd ---aaagh, I'd like to take every squirrel out of that borough and relocate them permanently. No rehabbers, no vets, and squirrels are always in trouble there!!! :soapbox Thank you graefin for bringing this awful event to our attention. I know a very humane squirrel removal expert and they should be using HIM.

[GoldenEyes]

Thank you for letting us know, graefin. I hope we could all come together and make a difference for these squirrels in Queens.

[KudzuSurvival]

I originated the email. Yes, it is true. I spoke to someone who lives in one of the buildings and I spoke to a woman who works in the office (Theresa) of the Queensview Co-op. Live traps are set right now to catch squirrels.

Please note, however, relocation in this case is NOT humane. The squirrels need to be left alone and the behaviors people find unacceptable (i.e. chewing on wires, entering homes) should be targeted, not the squirrels themselves. You can't remove all of a population of a particular species and expect the area to be squirrel-free for long. Ecosystems do not function that way. They try to make sure all habitat is sufficiently utilized, so new squirrels will just eventually take the place of the squirrels removed. The last thing the squirrels in Astoria need are people feeding into the very notion that put them in danger to begin with (that its acceptable to completely remove members of a species from an area because they pose a mere inconvenience to man).

You should check out the following article from the Humane Society of the United State's Wildlife & Habitat Department: Scrap The Trap When Evicting Raccoons, Skunks, Other Wildlife (http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/urban_wildlife_our_wild_neighbors/scrap_the_trap.html) One of the most interesting pieces of information included in that article is this tidbit: "A 2004 study of grey squirrels who were live-trapped and relocated from suburban areas to a large forest showed that a staggering 97 percent of the squirrels either soon died or disappeared from their release area."

There is also an article about one of the few truly humane nuisance wildlife control companies based in Canada. AAA Wildlife Control (http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/the_hsus_lauds_humane_approach_to_wildlife_control .html).

Lets remember that this post should probably be in the life-threatening section, since we are talking about the life-and-death matters of not just one squirrel, but many.

Thanks for all of your support.

[Mrs. Jack]

I agree this is horrible. And I'll write. The one thing though, is that unfortunately when someone wants something gone, they want it GONE. At this juncture I do not know whether they will be able to be convinced to leave off that desire. In which case it's better they be shamed into live relocation, in at least the squirrels would have some chance.

Since the bottom line is $$$ here's what I propose... a group to agree to handle these squirrels in a satisfactory manner for free. Since I don't live near there, I know that's easy for me to say.. but I wonder if such a thing would be possible.

[Apple Corps]

I just left a long and professional voice mail for Frank Marcovitz - calls and emails from all please !!!

[Mrs. Jack]

AC, what did you say? the gist...

[Apple Corps]

I'll send emails as well.

[susanw]

I am doing both since they have already put the traps in place. People UG!:shakehead

[GoldenEyes]

I don't know much about legal procedures but would it be possible to get a court order to stop the live trapping until further review?

[GoldenEyes]

kindismom,

In graefin's post, he mentioned that the email addresses won't post properly because Yahoo has it set up that way. You have to click on a link to get the full email address so that's why graefin mentioned that before the Queensview Co-op post. Here are the email addresses. I went to the Yahoo message board and got them. I hope this helps:

Frank Marcovitz, Property Manager
Queensview Co-op
21-66 33rd Road
Astoria Queens, NY 11106
frank@queensvw.com <--- full email address
(718) 728-5090
(718) 274-0567 (Fax)
Please send responses or any additional information regarding this issue to
EmptyCagesCollective@gmail.com <--- full email address

[Apple Corps]

AC, what did you say? the gist...

In a calm but "academic" tone I made clear that they would create much death and suffering with NO result as the population will rebound quickly. We need to support wildlife - especially as we continue to reduce their habitat every day. The reality is that a few people experience a VERY MINOR problem and it gets blown all out of proportion and large numbers of lil critters pay an unnecessary price. We really request you to rethink this course of action.

That was the gist of it.

[GoldenEyes]

Well said, Apple Corps.

The best way to be heard is to keep calm amid such a controverial issue. Try to make these people understand there are alternatives. We don't want them to just delete our messages we leave on their voicemail.

[GoldenEyes]

KudzuSurvival seems to be very proactive in savings all types of animals.

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[Apple Corps]

Here is the email I sent:

For goodness sake - a few "chewed wires" and you are going to participate in a mass slaughter of these intelligent little creatures???

This action sickens many of us - just because we have the "power" to do it does not make it right. The Nazi monsters had the power but NO MORALITY - look what they did.

Surely there is a better solution to whatever "problem" there is - killing innocent creatures is not necessary.

BTW - relocating them piecemeal = killing / the babies need their mothers !

Please come up with a better solution.

[Apple Corps]

Do we have any members near Astoria?? Open those traps and set the fuzzers free !!!!!

[Nutkin]

How can they do this!!!???? Idiots! :soapbox Do they honestly think that they will be solving the problem by being barbarians! Sometimes people disgust me. I have sent an email - very tactful, but to the point. Will call tomorrow. Maybe if we all ban together we can convince these people to rethink their plan.

Way to go AC! Love it!

[graefin]

Hi everyone,

I don't know what's been going on with this situation. I hope Kudzu will give us an update on happenings. I know IR said she wanted to get involved, so maybe she'll have an update as well?

Thanks all!

Jennifer

PS to Kindis: If you sent me a PM, I haven't received it.

[graefin]

IR just wrote me, and I hope it's OK for me to pass along the info she gave me. Two rehabbers were trying to work with the management of the property but have gotten nowhere. As of last night, there were squirrels in the traps, which were left out in the open in the rain. The rehabbers felt progress would only be made if people called ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement to report this cruelty. (I do not know what the A would do if they investigate other than perhaps compel mgmt to remove the traps with the squirrels into some kind of "safe" environment as long as they're not being starved if this is being handled by a licensed facility. Does anyone know if squirrels are protected by law as wildlife, or if they can be treated as a "nuisance" species?)

ASPCA HLE only takes complaints from individuals who have witnessed the cruelty themselves. So anyone calling would likely have to pretend they are here and have seen the squirrels in traps themselves in order for them to even note it. Contact info is: enforcement@aspca.org or (212) 876-7700, ext. 4450.

I've written to Kudzu and am hoping he'll let us know in what manner it would be best to proceed.

Thanks everyone,
Jennifer

[graefin]

Hi Kindis and all,

I really don't know what to do any more than any of you. I wrote to someone I know at HSUS asking her advice.

Re media, I know someone said NY1 news was responsive about another animal situation. Contact info is here: http://www.ny1.com/ny1/ContactUs/index.jsp

Other local news sources are Metro News (http://ny.metro.us/metro/about/contact) and AMNY (http://www.amny.com/about/am-about-contact,0,363318.htmlstory) along with ABC (http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=resources/inside_station/station_info&id=5783128) , WNBC (http://www.wnbc.com/contactus/index.html), WCBS (http://wcbstv.com/contact), UPN9 (http://www.my9tv.com/contact-us/), Fox5 (http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/ContactUs?pageId=5.11), and CW11 (http://cw11.trb.com/about/site/feedback/?track=footer).

I don't know who the local PETA contact is (it used to be a woman who has since moved to HSUS), but in general, I'm really not a fan of PETA (and I say this as an animal rights' advocate). PETA thinks it's OK to kill animals (including ferals, and I assume this policy would extend to wildlife), as long as it is done "humanely." So I'd be somewhat afraid here that they would advocate putting the trapped squirrels in this case down "humanely" as a solution.

I guess my basic question is: if exterminating squirrels *is* permitted, as long as this procedure is carried out by a licensed facility (ostensibly "humanely," and if not, I assume the agency that would enforce compliance would be the Department of Environmental Conservation or the ASPCA), *what* can we do to stop this if the property manager can't be reasoned with?

Thanks everyone,
Jennifer

UPDATE: I just called ASPCA HLE and was told that Officer Ruis is investigating this. I left him a message asking for an update on the situation.

[island rehabber]

Many want to help, but would like some verified info & updates, so their calls & efforts are not in vain. Kudzu & IR, where areeeeeee youuuuuuu??? Graefin, do you have a way of contacting either Kudzu or IR so we are not left hanging here? Both you & Kudzu asked for help stating it was an emergency, leaving a lot of us far from NYC wondering 'what the heck is going on' SNL or Bill Murray somewhere??

Hope things are ok & mabe we're are not needed after all. Here's hoping.

Okay gang, everyone take four deep breaths. :) First, it appears that although we of TSB are just finding out about this, some very capable and savvy rehabbers & non-rehabbers have been on the case for days and possibly longer. We don't want to diffuse their efforts so far by throwing ourselves at the problem when it might be close to being solved. It's great news that Officer Ruis is investigating; now there will be an actual eyewitness account and a paper trail. All the emotions and hollering in the world can't take the place of cool, hard facts so let's wait and see what the ASPCA HLE does. I am in contact with those other folks (in Queens) via another board, so I will pass along the info as soon as I get it. :thumbsup

[GoldenEyes]

Thank you for the update, island rehabber. So glad to hear people closer to Queensview Co-op sprung into action to resolve the situation. It's just what we, and especially the squirrels there, needed.:thumbsup

[island rehabber]

I just left a long message with our DEC representative (Dept Environmental Conservation) here in NYC, with all the facts including the trapped squirrels being left out in the deluge last night. :soapbox

[GoldenEyes]

Those poor little squirrels. It's bad enough they're getting trapped, and then all night out soaken wet in the cold rain with no food or shelter.:( They were trapped during the day because that's when they're out roaming so who knows how many hours they went without food or water. Some mother squirrels are still in the middle of nursing/raising their babies and aren't able to get home to feed them.:(

island rehabber, has anyone mentioned what is happening to these squirrels after they are trapped? Is anyone releasing them at the same location so the mother squirrels could go back to feed their babies?

[Apple Corps]

ir - what steps next - my post / video links about the Martinez California beavers may be of value.

[Apple Corps]

Could we not embarrass these Queens Killers by sending the video about how Martinez California has turned a "threat" to the flood control system into a positive?

The Queens Killers have a few chewed wires and.....

Does someone have the lead on getting info to "WHO" in Queens?

[Rotsuoy]

They are capturing and killing squirrels because they think that they are a nuisance. . . I'll tell you what a nuisance is. . . *#@*%#+# who don't know that grey squirrles don't over populate and have been adapting to humans for decades. . . . if anything, the squirrels should be capturing and killing them!:pissed

:D I had to say that! It feels good to get out some steam!



Never try to out-squirrel a squirrel. . .
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5831/squirrelladycagedp0.png
. . .You just might get beaten by a rehabber. :rotfl

[KudzuSurvival]

Some good news for a change: Two squirrels were just released from their traps at Queensview Co-op.

Lets keep up the pressure.

[Rotsuoy]

:drunk Rounds on me! You guys do the ranting, and I'll bring the :beer s.

Keep up the hard work, guys!

[GoldenEyes]

IR just wrote me, and I hope it's OK for me to pass along the info she gave me. Two rehabbers were trying to work with the management of the property but have gotten nowhere. As of last night, there were squirrels in the traps, which were left out in the open in the rain. The rehabbers felt progress would only be made if people called ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement to report this cruelty. (I do not know what the A would do if they investigate other than perhaps compel mgmt to remove the traps with the squirrels into some kind of "safe" environment as long as they're not being starved if this is being handled by a licensed facility. Does anyone know if squirrels are protected by law as wildlife, or if they can be treated as a "nuisance" species?)

With the continued deforestation and decimation of wildlife and their habitats, it always makes me wonder who the "nuisance" species really are.:shakehead

[Apple Corps]

I have no doubt who the nuisance species is - we are, as a species, about the worst stewards that I could imagine :-(

[GoldenEyes]

Sad but true. I wish we could somehow change the mindsets of those people who want to eradicate first and ask questions later. I don't know when eradication became the first and only option and not the last resort. Those people just want the quickest and cheapest way out instead of stopping to think about the long term consequences of their actions even while other options are available.

It worries me to think that the squirrels that have been inhumanely trapped, neglected, and left to fend for themselves in the elements may suffer from long term psychological problems.

[SkwerlGirl]

I just left a long and professional voice mail for Frank Marcovitz - calls and emails from all please !!!

Get me this guy's info and I'll leave a nice message!!! :poke

[KudzuSurvival]

People should continue to contact the Property Manager and demand he stop the trapping immediately. The squeaky wheel gets the grease!

Even if he doesn't seem to be getting the message, lets make his life a little more difficult as he is making dozens of other sentient creatures' lives nearly unbearable, if not unlivable.

Frank Marcovitz, Property Manager
Queensview Co-op
21-66 33rd Road
Astoria Queens, NY 11106
frank@...
(718) 728-5090
(718) 274-0567 (Fax)

[island rehabber]

The DEC (Dept of Environmental Conservation), the Humane Society (HSUS) and the ASPCA are all investigating this matter even as we speak. One of my rehabber friends was actually able to...um....render some of the trapping ineffective the other night, if you get my drift......:D

[susanw]

Great news IR! Let us know if there is something else we can do long distance to help!:thumbsup

[KudzuSurvival]

HSUS has no jurisdiction over the matter - but can campaign just like citizens. I've been in touch with them since before the alert even went out. Same with PETA. ASPCA HLE can investigate, but it doesn't look like they are doing anything illegal (unethical yes, illegal no).

People should continue to make phone calls, write letters, release squirrels, try to get positive media attention on the issue, etc.

[4skwerlz]

The DEC (Dept of Environmental Conservation), the Humane Society (HSUS) and the ASPCA are all investigating this matter even as we speak. One of my rehabber friends was actually able to...um....render some of the trapping ineffective the other night, if you get my drift......:D

IR, You're an angel. You're all just wonderful! The power of TSB is mighty!:grouphug

[Nutkin]

After I sent my message the other night, I received one back stating that the squirrels were being released into a park and not being killed. Anybody else get an answer? Love to know if it's an automated response! Still don't believe for a second that they are not harming the little fuzzers. If nothing else they are stressing them out, causing injury from being trapped (not to mention left out in the rain!:soapbox ), keeping babies from being fed:soapbox :soapbox , and generally disrupting their lives!!!!
Keep it up friend of IR! Those traps have go to go! Good luck to everyone!

[graefin]

Urgent Action Alert (May 1, 2008):
Stop Queens, NYC Housing Co-Op from Terrorizing, Killing, & Orphaning Squirrels

The Queensview Co-op in Astoria, Queens has hired a nuisance wildlife control operator (NWCO) to trap and kill squirrels who they’ve deemed to be nuisances.
***Trapping is ongoing, and at least two adults were witnessed being removed from the area in traps by the NWCO.***

Gray squirrels are intelligent, inquisitive and adaptive beings that can live to be up to twelve years old in the wild. There are many ways to coexist with squirrels without resorting to harming them, including using repellents and excluding squirrels from entering areas (like attics, windows) by using chimney caps and other methods (some information on dealing with squirrels can be found at http://www.wildlifehotline.org/squirrel.html). There is no justification to treat other sentient beings so inhumanely.

While the Queensview Co-op claims that the squirrels are being captured to be released elsewhere, the fact is many NWCO companies lie about the final disposition of the animals they trap. In addition, relocated wildlife suffers high mortality rates. According to HSUS, 2004 study of grey squirrels who were live-trapped and relocated from suburban areas to a large forest showed that a staggering 97 percent of the squirrels either soon died or disappeared from their release area. Thus, the NWCO companies are either killing animals directly or slowly by releasing animals in inappropriate habitats to compete with the animals who already live there, inevitably leading to some animals suffering and dying through starvation, exposure, man-made injuries (i.e., hit by cars due to lack of familiarity with the area), or unnecessarily harmed in other ways.

Furthermore, April is one of the months when many female squirrels have nursing young in the nest--leading to baby squirrels being orphaned and left to die of dehydration, starvation and exposure when their mothers are trapped.

The Queensview Co-Op claims the squirrels are chewing the wires of vehicles and getting into homes. However, it is important to point out that not only is the random trapping and removing/killing of the squirrels grossly inhumane and unnecessary, it is not a viable long-term solution to conflicts with squirrels. As nature works to ensure that all habitat is sufficiently utilized, new squirrels will simply replace the ones trapped and killed. These squirrels will also get into homes and chew wires if no habitat modification or repellents are used. Thus, an endless and expensive cycle of inefficient and cruel trapping of animals has the potential of becoming commonplace.

TAKE ACTION:

1. Write, call, fax, AND e-mail Queensview Co-Op demanding they cease trapping immediately and find non-lethal AND humane methods of dealing with human/squirrel conflicts.

Frank Marcovitz, Property Manager
Queensview Co-op
21-66 33rd Road
Astoria Queens, NY 11106
frank@queensvw.com
(718) 728-5090
(718) 274-0567 (Fax)

Talking points:
a) Trapping and relocating squirrels is inhumane. The overwhelming majority will not survive in a new habitat, where they do not know how to find food, water, and shelter and could be chased out or injured by resident squirrels defending their territory. Young squirrels orphaned by trapped and removed mothers will suffer and die.
b) Trapping and removing squirrels from an area is an ineffective solution to behaviors deemed problematic by humans. Other squirrels will move into the area once the original squirrels are removed

2. Contact local media outlets to alert them to this situation and ask them to provide coverage.

NY1 News
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/ContactUs/index.jsp

NY Times
http://nytimes.com/ref/membercenter/help/infoservdirectory.html#c

NY Daily News
(212) 210-NEWS (News tips)
http://www.nydailynews.com/services/contact_us/index.html

NY Post
(212) 930-8500 (News tips)
http://www.nypost.com/contact/contactus.htm

Metro News
http://ny.metro.us/metro/about/contact

AMNY
http://www.amny.com/about/am-about-contact,0,363318.htmlstory

WABC
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=resources/inside_station/station_info&id=5783128

WNBC
http://www.wnbc.com/contactus/index.html

WCBS
http://wcbstv.com/contact

UPN9
http://www.my9tv.com/contact-us/

Fox5
http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/ContactUs?pageId=5.11)

CW11
http://cw11.trb.com/about/site/feedback/?track=footer

Please send responses or any additional information regarding this issue to
EmptyCagesCollective@gmail.com.

[GoldenEyes]

Who is to say the squirrels chewed the hose on some cars. It could've been anything. Maybe even a city rat (no offense to rat lovers). Could even be the work of creative vandals thinking of ways to churn up business for a mechanic friend.:dono Okay, maybe the last idea is a little far-fetched. I know some people keep their cars in a garage where there are no squirrels and still have the same problem.

Not exactly sure how many Queensview Co-ops there are but there seems to be at least two. One (or more) Queensview Co-ops require people to pay a monthly maintenance fee for the upkeep of the buildings, landscaping, and so on.

When the management complained that the squirrels are getting into the homes, they may be referring to the other Queensview building(s) that don't require people to pay a maintenance fee.

I read on a Queensview message board that some people who lived in those co-ops just let the place "go", meaning they didn't properly make the necessary repairs for years and that may be the real reason why the squirrels might be getting into the homes. POOR MAINTENANCE. Those repairs needed to be made anyway. Just reinforce the areas where they are getting in from as others on TSB have mentioned. It's not the squirrels' fault if there is a vulnerability in the building(s) that allows them to get in to find shelter.

Squirrels are an easy scapegoat for people who don't want to take the blame.

[Nutkin]

AMEN GoldenEyes! People tend to put the blame off on whatever critter is handy at the time instead of getting off their laze butts and fixing their own problems!:soapbox

[GoldenEyes]

Here is a glimpse of other "lack of maintenance" problems at [North] Queensview, which causes many inconveniences to their residents, not to mention that it poses a major security issue. If the management could've put the blame on squirrels for the broken buzzer, I'm sure they would've.

Please note: The post mentioned below was on the Queensview message board from August 2007, not very long ago at all.

MLE:

Quote from: NYCMacUser on August 03, 2007, 05:25:25 PM

I wonder if they ever had their bell/buzzer/security system updated. You used to have to meet delivery people downstairs at the front door because there was no direct bell/buzzer system. A friend of mine had to move out to the west coast to live with her daughter because she could not go downstairs every day to let in her aides. She was post-op cardiac surgery. What a ridiculous situation that was. I love the apartments, but some of the co-op rules are just plain silly. And I personally resent their prohibition on dogs. If I recall correctly, they had a thing about unmarrieds living together.


That's North Queensview, and it is pretty annoying. Queensview has buzzers that, well, buzz (and has for as long as I can remember).

The dog prohibition is Queensview, not North, and I've never heard any prohibition against unmarried couples living together.

Some co-op rules are kinda silly, though.

[GoldenEyes]

The DEC (Dept of Environmental Conservation), the Humane Society (HSUS) and the ASPCA are all investigating this matter even as we speak. One of my rehabber friends was actually able to...um....render some of the trapping ineffective the other night, if you get my drift......:D

Is there a way to find out any information on the ongoing investigation by the above 3 organizations. I've looked at their websites (dec.gov, humanesocietyny.org, and aspca.org), but don't know where to look up the information.

[GoldenEyes]

Thank you for the synopsis, kindismom.

Let's all hope that our loveable fuzzers in Queens are being set free safely back into their familiar environment. I'm so glad there are people who could go on-site to do so!:wott

kindismom, the way I drive these days, it is a good 2 hours to get to Queens with all the bumper to bumper traffic, and that's IF (a big IF) I could find Astoria without getting lost.;)

[island rehabber]

Sorry I've been a little crazed here the last two days and today will be the craziest, but I will tap into my other rehab board and see what, if anything, has been done about the situation.

GoldenEyes, I hear ya about Queens. I can SEE it, across the water from my window, but it could easily take me an hour thru horrible traffic to get there, and then I'd be lost for another three hours. Here's a typical Queens address (I'm making this up to give you an idea): 310-478A South 34th St, corner of 34th Ave. :thinking :dono:thinking

[GoldenEyes]

Sorry I've been a little crazed here the last two days and today will be the craziest, but I will tap into my other rehab board and see what, if anything, has been done about the situation.

Thank you, island rehabber. I know you have a handful over there with Cheerio, Moses, and Snooty, on top of everything else you have to do.

Not too long ago, I remember you were wondering why you haven't received any baby squirrels to rehabilitate so far this year, and now you have 3 wonderful babies! Well, I know Cheerio is not a baby, but she's still cute as a baby!


GoldenEyes, I hear ya about Queens. I can SEE it, across the water from my window, but it could easily take me an hour thru horrible traffic to get there, and then I'd be lost for another three hours. Here's a typical Queens address (I'm making this up to give you an idea): 310-478A South 34th St, corner of 34th Ave. :thinking :dono:thinking


Oh, I know exactly where that is. (not!):rotfl

Can you believe I used to know someone who actually knew how to decipher Queens' addresses? She would say something like, "This number means it's on the south side of Queens Blvd, and since this other number is an even number, it means it faces West, etc., etc. Don't know how she got the secret decoder.:thinking

Just some examples as to why Queens is so confusing for people who live out of state.

The problem with Queens is that their streets are not like city blocks in Manhattan. In Manhattan, for example, after 34th Street comes 35th Street, 36th, and so on. Makes perfect sense. But, in Queens, if you have a 34th Street, the next street might be 53 Avenue, and then 29th Place.:dono And almost each block is all different shapes and sizes. I think whoever came up with the layout of Queens must've been on something.:shakehead But, since someone knows how to decode the addresses, there must've been a method to their madness.

After hearing about Queensview, I'm embarassed to say I used to live in Queens (hiding my head under Cheerio next to Moses). But, even then, I used to only know how to get to work and back. No in-betweens, except for stores I need to shop at, or I'd get lost.

island rehabber, maybe if you swam to Queens, it'll be faster.;)

Sometimes, no news is good news, and hopefully, it holds true in this case, too.:)

[KudzuSurvival]

A Squirrel Gets Released From Trap at Queensview Co-op in Astoria, Queens:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_vue9GyEXA

[island rehabber]

:wahoo:alright.gif:wahoo:alright.gif:thumbsup:thum bsup:thumbsup

[GoldenEyes]

FREE AT LAST! Just look how happy that squirrel is to be free again in her own environment! That's priceless!

Thank you for the video! Please keep up the great work!!!!!

Maybe we could melt all the cages down and sell it as scrap metal.:D

[Apple Corps]

Great work - thank you so so so much.

FWIW - those traps should simply disappear - fuzzers can't be trapped in traps that no longer exist :grouphug :grouphug

[Nutkin]

:jump Way to go! :jump Free the squirrels!!!:jump Be free little fuzzers!!:jump
:wahoo :wahoo :wahoo

[Cleo_13]

:wahoo a squirrel is saved!

[Tenysin]

Great video! :wahoo

[GoldenEyes]

From the video, it looks like KudzuSurvival has gotten the cooperation of the residents of Queensview to alert him when they notice a trapped squirrel. The lady was telling him the squirrel that was in the trap has been there since she "got home since before 6 o'clock". If this is the case, Queensview residents are awesome in my book!:peace