Unable to Release?

[BeeFernandez22]

Hi guys.. I'm a newbie at this squirrel business (but absolutly LOVING every moment of it :D ) and I was just curious what would make a squirrel unable to be released? I have been reading various forums just to learn any info I could soak up, and I notice that some of you guys have "pet" squirrels because they couldn't be released. Also, how do they live in your homes? Do you have habitats for them or do they have free reign of the house? My dad's friend has a squirrel living in his home and he says it is quite a mess. Do they potty in their habitats or just wherever they please? I'm just so curious and would LOVE for you guys to share your experiences with me!

[Tickle's Mom]

:Welcome :Welcome

I have a non release (NR) who is paralyzed due to poor nutrition. Given to me by loving parents who didn't know any better. PRIOR to me receiving her, she lived in an extremely large enclosure and pooped and peed wherever. And yes, MESSY. With that said, not all squirrels are this way at all. Some go to a specific location to do their business and some have been trained to use paper toweling, etc.

There are so many variables as to why a squirrel cannot/should not be released and each squirrel and situation is unique. If at all possible, it is best to let them be as nature intended. Free. :Love_Icon

[starfairy]

My squirrelly had teeth issues. He had surgery to remove his top teeth. He lived for almost 8 years and had free reign of the house. He liked to pee in just acouple spots but poop where ever he wanted. Thank god it was just little pellets. He was the best pet I ever had. And I have had everything from rabbits to a fennec fox. I sure wish squirrely was still here to poop every where.:Love_Icon

[Rhapsody]

While all 12 squirrels I have atm are releasable most of them have time out in the house every day and the ones that are past 2 months old tend to do their business in their cage then they are good for 30 minutes out in the house with out incident..... :thumbsup

[virgo062]

Knothead is not releaseable due to a head injury as a pinky which among other things caused blindness in one eye....He has taken over my Sunroom but he lives in a cage the majority of the day which he seems to like. I play with him every afternoon (when he is up) and let him loose in the room for about a hour several days a week. He only walks in circles but he is fast.

[djarenspace9]

I have 4 NR's.

Two have back/leg injuries that did not heal well enough to be able to survive in the wild.
It is unclear if it began with poor nutrition or an injury or maybe both.
They are impaired in climbing and neither can sit up on their hind legs or perch.

One is a car impact survivor who was left partially blind.

The 4th has an overbite and her teeth have to be trimmed every 2 weeks.