Advice for new squirrel owner!

[HammiesMommy]

Hi, I have a grey squirrel that I have raised since she was probably 7 weeks old. She is now a couple months old and definitely starting to mature! She is still super sweet, when she is tired she will curl up on my chest and go to sleep, she will also sleep with my during the night (usually right under my neck!!), she will even raise her arm so you can rub her belly! I was thinking about finding somewhere for her because she is starting to chew everything and I am afraid I am not taking proper care of her but I would like to try to keep her. She is my baby and my eyes tear up just talking about giving her away! If anyone can give me any kind of advice about taking care of her I would really appricate it!

[dizzdigia]

Hi, I have a grey squirrel that I have raised since she was probably 7 weeks old. She is now a couple months old and definitely starting to mature! She is still super sweet, when she is tired she will curl up on my chest and go to sleep, she will also sleep with my during the night (usually right under my neck!!), she will even raise her arm so you can rub her belly! I was thinking about finding somewhere for her because she is starting to chew everything and I am afraid I am not taking proper care of her but I would like to try to keep her. She is my baby and my eyes tear up just talking about giving her away! If anyone can give me any kind of advice about taking care of her I would really appricate it!

Does she have a cage, if so do you have pictures of it? Also is there anything wrong with her preventing her from being released?

[stepnstone]

Chew she will do, she's a squirrel, it's what they do. Just one of the many reasons they really don't make good pets.
If there is no reason, disability or injury to prevent her release, it is not advisable to try and keep her as a pet. We all get attached, how can one not love these little critters. But she's still a wild animal, meant to be free to thrive in her own habitat. Sometimes doing the right thing is hard, it can also be very rewarding to nurture toward release knowing that you have given that part of yourself unselfishly in her best interest.
That being said, she depends on you to get her to that point. Nutrition is key with captive squirrels, what is her diet as far as what your feeding her?

[Skul]

:wave123 Hammi.
I really think you should consider release.
It's very rare that a Gray will make a good pet.
They are, after all, a wild animal.
The wife and I have had to release a few in the past, and found it best for them.
We do have one that still, after six years, visits on a regular basis.
If you have the means to re-acclimate her in an outdoor cage, that would be best.
This takes about two weeks.
Give it some thought, then ask some more questions.:)

[dizzdigia]

:wave123 Hammi.
I really think you should consider release.
It's very rare that a Gray will make a good pet.
They are, after all, a wild animal.
The wife and I have had to release a few in the past, and found it best for them.
We do have one that still, after six years, visits on a regular basis.
If you have the means to re-acclimate her in an outdoor cage, that would be best.
This takes about two weeks.
Give it some thought, then ask some more questions.:)

:goodpost

[HammiesMommy]

Thank you all for your advice! I think I have decided to release her! :(
I am just worried about her in the wild! What is the best way to release her? I live in an apartment and although I do have a lot of trees and the river behind me I also a huge parking lot and the I4 bridge right over me, so where would be the best place to do this? And will she be okay even though she has only been around humans? She is very attached to me, she seems to know when I am leaving and will not leave my shoulder no matter what! Sorry I am asking so much! Just very worried! She is my baby!

[island rehabber]

We have quite a number of wonderful Florida members here who are experienced in releasing formerly pet squirrels. The best thing in your favor is the weather: you do not have to worry about acclimating to winter the way we do up north. Is there a way that she can come and go from your home, or from a nest box or cage for a few weeks before being truly free? This is a "soft rlease", as it is truly the best method to use for squirrels.

[djarenspace9]

What part of Florida are you located in HammiesMoommy?

[Rescue04]

i can take if you want. you dont live far from me. we met at your work...you can call or message me on here.

[Skul]

If one of our other members can watch after the little one for a couple weeks, that would be great.
If they are nearby, perhaps they can let you know when she's ready, and you could go watch.:)

[crazy4squirrels]

I am also in Florida. I live pretty much in the woods and can get her ready for release in the spring. Even here in Florida the cold is coming and she should be over winteredand released in the spring after being in and outdoor cage for a few weeks to acclaimate to the sights and sounds. Do not just open the door and let her out. There are alot of us here in Florida that can help:)