Releasing at 10weeks ?

[Monkeygirl]

Hello, I need some advise!
I have a squirrel that is aprox 8to9 weeks old. I'm seriously thinking about releasing him in 2to3weeks. I know that the winter is coming but my rehabber friend would be able to release him in her yard where there is plenty of food to get to all winter. I would keep a cage with a nest box outside for him so he has it pretty good. I would like to know what other rehabbers think about this.

[Nancy in New York]

I don't think that you should even consider releasing at this age. I have two that I am overwintering that are about 14 weeks, and they are small. Why would you want to release a single this late in the season?
Can you post a picture?

[astra]

I don't think that you should even consider releasing at this age. I have two that I am overwintering that are about 14 weeks, and they are small. Why would you want to release a single this late in the season?
Can you post a picture?
:goodpost
and if he ends up being chased away by local dominant squirrels, your friend will not be able to feed him and being too young, too inexperienced, in cold NY winter, he will die.
Also, it's hard to hide in the winter wiht no leaves - again, not having enough time to adapt well to the wild, he might also end up an easy prey to some predators who are especially hungry in the winter

[UDoWhat]

Way too late in the season to release now. Many factors should be considered when releasing.
Age?
Leaf cover for safety to hide?
Weather? Too cold
Appropriate or enough food?
Maturity? Able to fight for food and nesting space.

Just to name a few.

Marty

[Monkeygirl]

I just was thinking it maybe better for him. I totally get what everyone is saying, I just feel bad for him, being by himself in a cage all day and night.
How do I attach a photo, I can't figure it out!

[Nancy in New York]

If you want, you can email it to me at **** and I will post it for you.:thumbsup

[Monkeygirl]

Photo on the way , thanks

[Nancy in New York]

Photo on the way , thanks

Meet Oscar....what an adorable little peanut. How cute is he??? OMG!!!!!
http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/TSB%20photos/photo1.jpg

[UDoWhat]

Oh my, what a sweet little one!!

[Nancy in New York]

I wished we could find a buddy for him....he is just too precious, and I love how he is sitting in his food bowl....:rotfl

[Monkeygirl]

I'm getting attached to this little guy! I love him!!!! I tried not to but he is so cute! You can't choose what you fall in love with! I was thinking it would be better to release him now for his sake.

[Nancy in New York]

I'm getting attached to this little guy! I love him!!!! I tried not to but he is so cute! You can't choose what you fall in love with! I was thinking it would be better to release him now for his sake.

See I disagree. He can't be ready now, and there are so many things to his disadvantage. I really believe he would come to a terrible end.
Do you have a larger cage for him? Maybe we can find somebody with another one around his age that is also overwintering.
I would hate to see him released, he really is too young.
Is he friendly? How long have you had him?

[astra]

...he is just too precious, and I love how he is sitting in his food bowl....:rotfl
gosh, he is so-o-o-o squidgeable, chunky and healthy and adorable!:)

[astra]

See I disagree. He can't be ready now, and there are so many things to his disadvantage. I really believe he would come to a terrible end.
Do you have a larger cage for him? Maybe we can find somebody with another one around his age that is also overwintering.
I would hate to see him released, he really is too young.
Is he friendly? How long have you had him?
where is Orange County in NYS?... i don't even know...

[SammysMom]

Oh my goodness he is too cute! He is also way too little for release. Someone else suggested maybe finding someone else who has one who is the same age. That sounds like a plan. It would sort of be like expecting that a 10 year old kid would be okay on their own. Even though they are sort of capable, they don't have all the skills or more importantly, the judgement to actually survive. Enjoy having the baby for the winter or see if you can find someone to take him for you. You obviously love him and wouldn't want him to come to any harm. Good job getting him to this point!:thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[Monkeygirl]

I've had him since he was 4 weeks, before his eyes were open .
He has a large ferret cage that he is normally in , the photo shows his travel cage. He goes to work with me everyday.
Orange county NY is next to NJ, about 40 min from NY City.

[Nancy in New York]

I've had him since he was 4 weeks, before his eyes were open .
He has a large ferret cage that he is normally in , the photo shows his travel cage. He goes to work with me everyday.
Orange county NY is next to NJ, about 40 min from NY City.

Awe...you must really love this little one.
So are you near Tuxedo Park?

[Monkeygirl]

Right next store.

[Monkeygirl]

Oscar is possessive it seems. He has bit my husband twice. The first time was because my husband picked him up not knowing Oscar had food in his mouth, so that I can understand, but the last time there was no reason. Now my husband is nervous around Oscar, anyone have any suggestions on how to get Oscar to like my husband?

[squirrelfriend]

Squirrels are most attatched to their main care giver. If you want to have your husband and him get along he has to spend a lot of time with him. That is the only way. Even then it doesn't always work but there is a chance. I have a couple that stay in our bedroom and they are both attatched just as much to my husband as they are me.

[squirrelfriend]

BTW, Oscar is really cute!!!!!

[island rehabber]

I agree with nancy, he is too young to be released now in our weather zone (I'm 40 mins south of you, so if it's too cold for my guys it's definitely too cold for little Oscar.)

Let me see what I can do about contacting some rehabbers around you....I believe we recently had a new member to TSB from your area. :thumbsup

[Monkeygirl]

Thanks, The hard thing now is to get my husband to trust Oscar enough to take the chance to get along and not get bit.