Squirrel relocation & care while traveling

[tphss]

Hi all,

I have a flying squirrel, she is very healthy and playful now, almost a year after I pretty much saved her from a store that had no clue what they were doing.
This summer, starting this weekend, I will be traveling a lot. Sometimes away from home for a week or 10 days in a row.

Last week I was out of town for 3 nights and I took her (with her cage) to my girlfriend's house. My girlfriend is very familiar with her and knows how to take care of her. Yet, I guess the move was very stressful, she seemed very sad when I came back. It took two nights for her to go back to normal until finally yesterday night she was back to her self playing and jumping.
I would like not to stress her in that way again, so I am trying to figure out what can I do for these 3 months of summer when I will be going out of town a lot.

The only thing I was thinking about, was finishing the very big cage I built outside the house (a square cage about 8ft each side), and getting another flying squirrel so they can play with each other and not feel depressed. Then having someone coming every evening and put new food and water.

Can someone help me with ideas as to what I can do? I don't think someone will be able to come every night and play with her and let her out, if she will even want to go out of her cage when it's not me.
Thanks for any input, I am very stressed because my traveling starts this weekend and I don't want to start moving her every week because I am afraid she can actually die from stress.

Thank you and sorry it's so long...

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Hi :wave123
I am glad you're asking questions to help your baby, however you are not going to like the answer I have, and remember this is just my opinion on the matter.
If you have just one, they are going to be lonely, but getting another just to keep her company is not the reason to get another one so you can go away. They need you or they need to be released by someone who knows how to do this and be out where they belong. It sounds to me , even though you love her and want to keep her , she would be better off with some one who can put her with several others so she can learn to be a flyer and be released and be as she should.
Is there any thing wrong with her that she cant be released?? If that is the case I would still find a home where there were several that couldn't be released ,with some one who doesn't have to travel. They are very social creatures and being alone, even two together, being alone all day with someone to just check on them to feed will make them depressed and a depressed squirrel turns into a sick squirrel and I know you don't want that.
There are many people on this board and I am sure someone knows some one in your area who can help you relocate her. If you do decide to give her up please don't just give her to any one, let some one here ..on the board help you.
A very hard decision I know, and of course the decision is all yours...
but we all want what is best for your little girl right?
Please stick around and see what others may say on the matter.

[CritterMom]

How would your girlfriend feel about keeping her at least for the period of time you will be travelling - instead of going back and forth all the time. They don't like change very much. If she is friendly with her and they get along okay, this might be a good option.

[tphss]

Thank you for your quick reply. You are right, I don't like the idea of giving Lily up :( I am sad only thinking about it.

I am not sure if she will be able to go out to the wild, and I don't think I would like to just let her go back like that and imagine her starving and not able to take care for herself. I think she is too domesticated, I'll explain, she lets almost everyone pet her if she is outside in her room playing. She never tries to bite (unless you try to grab her, which she hates)!
Right now I am not sure if my next few years are going to be where I live now. If I do stay in Florida, I can even get two or three more flyers.

I do want what's best for her, and if I'll be forced too I will make the right decision for her sake. I take her as a family member. :grouphug
Look at the attached pics, this is the cage I am planning to have as her new home.

Critter, my girlfriend is willing to take care of her for the summer, but the main problem is that the room cannot be squirrel proofed for Lily to go out and play in. I do not know any member from my area (south FL) yet...

[Anne]

Well, the size of the outside cage is wonderful, a real squirrel paradise. However-chain link just will not do-at least not on it's own. The spacing of the wire is way bigger than a little flying squirrel. You will need to wrap the whole thing in 1/2x1/2 inch hardware cloth! Sides, top and bottom! If she can get out, then all those awful things you are worried about will happen to her, plus the chain link will let in snakes, rats, other squirrels and nasty things.
It's a terrible responsibility to have any squirrel as a pet! Flying squirrels do attach themselves to the humans they own and they bond very tightly. What type/size cage does she have with you? Does your girl friend have room for a large indoor cage at her house? We can help you with finding or building a cage for her. What is going to be a problem is her missing you personally and grieving for your loss-She won't know that you are just traveling and will come back and visit.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

what it the green netting on the inside ?? if it is plastic, she will eat through it.

[tphss]

Anne thanks, if you notice on the second picture the green netting inside is a fine metal mesh that should keep her safe.

I know it is a very large responsibility, and Lily is not coping well with me traveling so I am not sure what to do... She has a large bird cage right now in my apartment.
What can I do with a situation like this, that she misses me and griefs? I am going to travel with my girlfriend this week for a whole week. I wish I could take her with us.

Sweet Simon's it's a metal mesh...

[Legomom]

How will you be traveling? If you are driving, you could take her with you. A lot of hotels don't mind small pets & some don't mind pets at all, including squirrels. LaQuinta does not charge a pet fee. I have traveled with my flyer & he does very well.

[tphss]

I wish it was driving... I'll be flying.