separating squirrel siblings

[Carlala]

so I recently decided it was time to give up my babies to someone who had more experience rehabbing so thats what I did it just so happened one of my friends had a friend who was a wildlife rehabber and from what I have seen she did a great job with her babies and really cares about them so I took mine to her the one is missing a leg and very human friendly the other is not so friendly and very hyper but he will let me and only me pet him well the day i took them to her she said that they would never be able to be wild squirrels and separated them from eachother to try to tame them both down and let me keep them well the boy and the most wild of the 2 keeps escaping from his cage and I think he is looking for his sister they have been together since birth and now im not so sure giving them to her was a good idea. because I think they should be together what does everyone else think?

she also suggested taking him to the preserve but im not sure what is best for them and I need feed back. I dont think the one missing a leg will ever be wild but I want them both to have the best life possible =) so any suggestions would be great

[island rehabber]

First, I'm not sure why she would think the 4-legged one (boy) was not releasable...:thinking

As for the 3-legged squirrel, most likely she is NR but in some cases, especially if it's a front leg that's missing, a squirrel can be released with only 3 legs. It's actually spelled out in our New York State wildlife rehabilitation materials.

Do you want to take them back, as pets? If you've been here for awhile you know that this is a HUGE commitment on your part, and if you're not prepared for that it's best to let the rehabber recommend a course of action. I'm of the belief, however, that almost ANY squirrel can wild up and be released if given the right situation and time.

[jbtartell]

First, I'm not sure why she would think the 4-legged one (boy) was not releasable...:thinking

As for the 3-legged squirrel, most likely she is NR but in some cases, especially if it's a front leg that's missing, a squirrel can be released with only 3 legs. It's actually spelled out in our New York State wildlife rehabilitation materials.

Do you want to take them back, as pets? If you've been here for awhile you know that this is a HUGE commitment on your part, and if you're not prepared for that it's best to let the rehabber recommend a course of action. I'm of the belief, however, that almost ANY squirrel can wild up and be released if given the right situation and time.



:goodpost I agree Maura, I think they will be fine with the rehabber. they addapt soo easily. may not seem like it at first but in a few days awek they will be fine. Am I right? babbies are seperated all the time and they are always ok. :) If she has done well with her babies and you seen it , then I say they will be fine also. U are like me and very over pretective..:poke It should be fine.

[Carlala]

she thinks they have been around me to long and the one with 3 legs is missing a back leg. I took them on as babies and for the next however many years they live I will be there to do whatever I have to if that is raising them as pets or letting them go I want to do whats best for them. as for the girl I think that keeping her as a pet is what is best she isn't as fast or as coordinated as him and having the work and the commitment doesn't bother me a bit. as for him I would like him to be releasable so he can have the best possible life but I also want to know that he will be ok also there is the option of building a large enclosure for him and having him at an animal sanctuary where he would be safe and cared for. i am just not sure whats best for him


and yes i am very overprotective with my fur babies lol I just love them soo much

[treeman]

I'm not a professional rehabber but if it were me I'd take them both to the preserve. My friend has a wild 3-legged squirrel that's been visiting for years so I know that they can make it with the handicap. But its up to you. If you release at your home and they don't go you can always take them back as pets.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

I have two little girls who I have had since they were 3 weeks old and are now 5 months old. I had released them into my back yard and they both came back to sleep in the release cage for 2 nights then the third night they both were MIA....One came home and wouldnt go into the cage just sat on her Daddy's lap for about 2 hours...she wants no part of outside AT ALL.
The other came back after 5 days and wanted inside the house also. They are both inside until after July 4th, I have neighbors that don't care about dogs or fires or noise that may be troublesome to others:shakehead .
The one who was out for 5 days is ready to go again ..and I will let her, I will let the other try again also but if she chooses to stay , she will stay.
The 5 days she was without her sister, she did just fine....she was a pleasure, with her sister, she is still a pleasure, the other just wants out again. They are all different.

[Jackie in Tampa]

Just me...
not offering advise, just what I would do...

If the three legged sq is released, he is at a disadvantage..his time in the trees is VERY limited.

If he is hand friendly and well adjusted to humans..
if he did not pace, if he is adapted to being inside and is family,
if he ate well, he would stay if he wanted.

I try to release anything that can be 100% sq..
anything less is scrutinized.
I have made bad calls and have had to live with them...lifes little heartbreaking lessons.:shakehead

[Carlala]

ty all I went and got both my babies back today I dont feel like this girl was prepared to take on 2 squirrels. I got a phone call that my 3 legged baby was loose in there house and I need to come get them I got over there and got her in a kennel in under a minute. and only her husband was there he told me she didnt have a clue how to take care of them and he knows more about critters than she does and that she had no clue what kind of time was required. she was always very nice to me but her husband was extremely rude and watched me breakdown there cage and carry everything by myself wouldn't even hold the doors open for me and so I think I will keep them until they are a bit more self sufficient and then take them to the sanctuary my aunt owns where they will be safe and well cared for in a very large enclosure. I want whats best for them and that was not it. i put them back together when i got them home and they were giving kisses to each other and very happy to be back together so I think that is what is best for them. I have never had squirrels but my cousin had a very good point when i talked to her I have raised about 50 exotic babies in my life and if I can do that I will be an exceptional squirrel mommy as well I do my research and am more than willing to put in the time =)