Don't know what to do...

[Fivefootsix]

Hello Again...So I’ve had my Ozzy since my Terrier found him abandoned in the backyard at about 3 weeks old. Well, he is 7 months old now and the thought of releasing him tears me apart. As a first-time squirrel "Caregiver", I must pat myself on the back as he is doing very well. I put his cage (complete with tree branches, toys, ropes, food & water dishes, and nesting bed in it) outside during the day, and bring it in at night. Although I never did make the Calcium Bars, Ozzy does enjoy a teaspoon on yogurt once a day just before bedtime. His diet includes more fresh veggies, fruits & nuts then I can count. He does have his favorite foods, and eats every bit of his meals twice a day. I gave him his first whole walnut and he carried it around his cage for a few days...hiding it in his bed, then taking it out...playing in his cage with it, then hiding it again. After 3 days, I finally found the empty walnut shell, so he did manage to get it open on his own eventually (i was so proud of my boy). Although it has been a joy to watch him grow and share a special bond, caring for him, and cuddling with him is getting somewhat time-consuming when it comes to cutting veggies & fruits, cleaning his cage, and giving him the attention he deserves each day. I want him to have the experience of being a "real" squirrel, but at the same time, I feel like releasing him may put him in danger. I’ve looked into Wildlife Expert/Rehabber’s in my county, but the thought of giving him away breaks my heart as I am convinced nobody will care for and spoil him as much as I do, and it makes me feel like I am giving up a child to foster care. It’s getting cold on Long Island and sharing my room with a caged squirrel all winter was certainly not in my plans. I’m also planning a vacation to Florida for 2 weeks in January and I have no idea what to do with him while I’m away. My friends tell me to just “let him go” and he will be fine, but he has become a pet and releasing him scares me terribly after reading posts about squirrels being so territorial. I certainly don’t want him to be bullied by neighborhood squirrels, and I am content knowing he is safe & happy in his cage, but if I release him and don’t see him, it will be so emotionally disturbing not knowing if he is OK or not. He shows no fear when my dog or cat come around to sniff his cage, and only gives out a little “grunt” if he has a nut or acorn in his mouth at the time. I never expected to get this attached to a squirrel, and I know you guys understand…Any Suggestions?

Linda:dono
Long Island

[virgo062]

What a cutie:wave123 My suggestion would be to find a rehabber that can do a soft release....Vacations are really a problem when you have a wild animal to care for it's not like you can just board them. Little Ozzie content right now with his surroundings will probably wild up anyway then you will be between a rock and a hard space:dono Hopefully someone will come on board willing to take little Ozzie and give him a proper release

[Tomo]

You have cared very well for this little boy and I'm sure he is very attached to you. After 7 months, and as gentle as you describe him, he is imprinted and not only by you, but he also has no fear of dogs or cats, which is a no-no for any animal to be released as wild.

You CANNOT just let him go! His chance of survival is about 1%. You have to think about how much you are willing to change your life for him. If you don't love him enough to keep him for the rest of his life, which can be another 15 years, then you should find a good rehabber that will give him a very, very long soft release and still evaluate him to see if he is ready for a wild life before he is actually released. Please realize, that most rehabbers will euthanize a squirrel if it cannot be released. It would be inhumane to release an animal with no skills and make them prey to larger predators. That is why people shouldn't keep squirrels. It takes a great deal of commitment and love for the animal to take care of them for the rest of their life.

You only have to be honest with yourself. Is playing with one squirrel and chopping vegetables that time consuming? Do you find no joy in having Ozzy, who is really a gift from God? I have anywhere from 30 to 70 squirrels in my care at one time and I pay attention to each and everyone every day, greeting them all by name in the morning and saying good night to each and every one of them every night. I chop all their vegetables, I crack all their nuts and I do it because I love them more than I love myself. It's difficult, but it's so very worth it to know I am giving back to God for all the blessings He's given me in my life. So if you see that one squirrel, that is your little buddy and that looks to you as mother because of how you've brought him up for 7 months, is taking up too much of your time, then you should find a rehabber who will do a proper soft release for Ozzy.

I hope this post wasn't taken in any bad way. It is simply meant to help you think as your thread does say "Don't know what to do..." and you are asking for advice. When it comes down to it, only you know what to do and only you have to live with your decision.

Good luck! Hugs and Kisses to Ozzy!

Tomo :)

[Jackie in Tampa]

yep...what she said!:Love_Icon

[prncsbabs1]

You have cared very well for this little boy and I'm sure he is very attached to you. After 7 months, and as gentle as you describe him, he is imprinted and not only by you, but he also has no fear of dogs or cats, which is a no-no for any animal to be released as wild.

You CANNOT just let him go! His chance of survival is about 1%. You have to think about how much you are willing to change your life for him. If you don't love him enough to keep him for the rest of his life, which can be another 15 years, then you should find a good rehabber that will give him a very, very long soft release and still evaluate him to see if he is ready for a wild life before he is actually released. Please realize, that most rehabbers will euthanize a squirrel if it cannot be released. It would be inhumane to release an animal with no skills and make them prey to larger predators. That is why people shouldn't keep squirrels. It takes a great deal of commitment and love for the animal to take care of them for the rest of their life.

You only have to be honest with yourself. Is playing with one squirrel and chopping vegetables that time consuming? Do you find no joy in having Ozzy, who is really a gift from God? I have anywhere from 30 to 70 squirrels in my care at one time and I pay attention to each and everyone every day, greeting them all by name in the morning and saying good night to each and every one of them every night. I chop all their vegetables, I crack all their nuts and I do it because I love them more than I love myself. It's difficult, but it's so very worth it to know I am giving back to God for all the blessings He's given me in my life. So if you see that one squirrel, that is your little buddy and that looks to you as mother because of how you've brought him up for 7 months, is taking up too much of your time, then you should find a rehabber who will do a proper soft release for Ozzy.

I hope this post wasn't taken in any bad way. It is simply meant to help you think as your thread does say "Don't know what to do..." and you are asking for advice. When it comes down to it, only you know what to do and only you have to live with your decision.

Good luck! Hugs and Kisses to Ozzy!

Tomo :)


I agree with Tomo.
I am on Long Island, if you want PM your number and we can talk

[Jackie in Tampa]

:grouphug :bowdown
I agree with Tomo.
I am on Long Island, if you want PM your number and we can talk

[prncsbabs1]

I sent you a PM

[Fivefootsix]

"Thank You" TSB (especially prncsbabs1) :thankyou . Now I know exactly what to do! Ozzy will be spending the Winter indoors with me (in a larger new & improved cage) as we BOTH prepare for a soft-release in the Spring! It has been such a pleasure caring for this precious little creature and I truly feel his release will go very well when the time comes. Wherever he may roam...He will always have a place to call "Home" :thumbsup I will certainly keep you posted :)