Dilemma: Scared to release...

[corear1014]

Hello all, it’s Miss worry-wart,

I need release advice. My singleton, Pip, loves everyone and I am so attached. For those that don’t remember her story, we found her on 4/13 and was estimated between 6-8wks old. Thanks to this website for giving me the guidance to care for her properly. :thankyou

My dilemma (besides being attached):
1) I have 3 dogs that use my backyard.
2) Being that she loves everyone, what if she jumps on a neighbor
3) Neighbor has a cat
4) Found out the neighbor across from me traps and relocates them (Apparently, they’re not fond of squirrels :shakehead )
5) I would drive myself silly worrying! LOL!

I would keep her forever, but I know that would be for my benefit only. Also, due to my dogs, I can’t let her roam like others do and I’m only able to get her out a couple of times a day ( she is out at least 30 min. each time). I just want her to be happy and I think being free would be the best for her, she needs playmates! I’ve even looked into Sanctuaries. Am I being silly? :dono Does everyone go through this come release time?:thinking Who knew one would fall head over heels for such a little creature!

Attached are pictures: 1st couple are when I found her.. and I had a little fun with the last 2 :jump

Thanks again for listening and giving this worry-wart some advice!:D

[pappy1264]

Oh my goodness, she sure is a cutie pie! Yeah, we all go through it (I released today...two up up in the trees, two would not even leave the cage!) The dogs and cat (and the trapping) are big concerns. The only other option would be if someone else could possibly do a soft release for you (I don't know if anyone is close enough to you to do that). How is she acting, is she pacing? Maybe think of wintering her over, let her grow up some more? It is hard spot to be in. I know all too well how these precious little ones climb inside your heart and don't let go! Hopefully others will chime in with other suggestions or ideas. But again, I have to say, she is CUTE!

[corear1014]

Oh my goodness, she sure is a cutie pie! Yeah, we all go through it (I released today...two up up in the trees, two would not even leave the cage!) The dogs and cat (and the trapping) are big concerns. The only other option would be if someone else could possibly do a soft release for you (I don't know if anyone is close enough to you to do that). How is she acting, is she pacing? Maybe think of wintering her over, let her grow up some more? It is hard spot to be in. I know all too well how these precious little ones climb inside your heart and don't let go! Hopefully others will chime in with other suggestions or ideas. But again, I have to say, she is CUTE!

Thank you pappy! She is a cutie and sweetie.. See my dilemma! LOL! She does pace when I enter the room. Right now she is in a Ferret cage with multiple levels. She has plenty of toys and chew things to keep her occupied, but I've notice she is chewing on the plastic levels more these days. The top one needs to be replaced. I know she could never be released in my yard. I would be willing to let someone soft release her. I'm guessing she's between 5-6 months old. I can keep her until she gets older and I can drive her to wherever she needs to go. Distance isn't an issue... the letting go will be more of an issue :(. O my goodness! I'm a weenie, I'm tearing up thinking about it! You'd think I've given birth to her! :) I just want to do what's best for her.. Thanks again for the advice! :)

[pappy1264]

Oh, trust me, if you are a weenie, most of us are too! (And proud to be, for that matter!!! lol:D ) Hopefully others will chime in, so hang in there.

[kcassidy]

I've released quite a few and my first squirrels were so over handled. I could go out in the woods and call SQUIRRELY at the top of my lungs and 3 would come running and climb all over me. Then, after a few months they would come and eat out of my feeders but I wasn't allowed to touch them. I lived on a farm with my 2 boxers and a gajillion barn cats and house cats. My squirrels knew me but didn't trust others or the cats/dogs.

I can't keep things in cages, so I can't condone keeping a healthy squirrel in a ferret cage, sorry :( My motto is it is better to be free and live a shorter life, than a long one in a cage.

I would release her, I certainly would not keep a healthy squirrel over the winter. Start by taking her out for an hour, then let her tell you when she doesn't want to come back. Can't you make some kind of outdoor cage for her?

I built one for under 300.00 with the help of a friend and her husband. I keep the squirrels there for a few weeks and then open the escape hatch.

Don't keep her, it isn't fair. Trust me I know how much you love her, I do.

[corear1014]

I've released quite a few and my first squirrels were so over handled. I could go out in the woods and call SQUIRRELY at the top of my lungs and 3 would come running and climb all over me. Then, after a few months they would come and eat out of my feeders but I wasn't allowed to touch them. I lived on a farm with my 2 boxers and a gajillion barn cats and house cats. My squirrels knew me but didn't trust others or the cats/dogs.

I can't keep things in cages, so I can't condone keeping a healthy squirrel in a ferret cage, sorry :( My motto is it is better to be free and live a shorter life, than a long one in a cage.

I would release her, I certainly would not keep a healthy squirrel over the winter. Start by taking her out for an hour, then let her tell you when she doesn't want to come back. Can't you make some kind of outdoor cage for her?

I built one for under 300.00 with the help of a friend and her husband. I keep the squirrels there for a few weeks and then open the escape hatch.

Don't keep her, it isn't fair. Trust me I know how much you love her, I do.

Thanks kcassidy. I know where you are coming from. I am not planning on keeping her in a cage. Maybe I should have rephrased my title. Dilemma, scared to release in my yard. I do love her and want whats best for her. Letting go will be hard, but I know that is the right thing to do. :)

She is the first squirrel I've helped. So, I am still learning here. Thanks for your advice.

[kcassidy]

Thanks kcassidy. I know where you are coming from. I am not planning on keeping her in a cage. Maybe I should have rephrased my title. Dilemma, scared to release in my yard. I do love her and want whats best for her. Letting go will be hard, but I know that is the right thing to do. :)

She is the first squirrel I've helped. So, I am still learning here. Thanks for your advice.

I hope you didn't take it as rude, I do know what it is like to have your first squirrel :) I just know what it is like to have a squirrel live with you every day, day in and day out.

That is what allows me to be so "upfront". Squirrely's love their freedom and there are so many who can't be released and need us to help them. If you do one, you can end up doing many :) They have a way of squirreling their way into your heart forevah.

[corear1014]

I hope you didn't take it as rude, I do know what it is like to have your first squirrel :) I just know what it is like to have a squirrel live with you every day, day in and day out.

That is what allows me to be so "upfront". Squirrely's love their freedom and there are so many who can't be released and need us to help them. If you do one, you can end up doing many :) They have a way of squirreling their way into your heart forevah.


Not at all. :) I know I'm a weenie and need help releasing her. Hope someone from the board will be able to help or at least give me advice to try to do it on my own. I'm just afraid my yard isn't the safest. The wild ones know how to take care of themselves, I'm afraid with her being so friendly, she won't get away fast enough.

[kcassidy]

Not at all. :) I know I'm a weenie and need help releasing her. Hope someone from the board will be able to help or at least give me advice to try to do it on my own. I'm just afraid my yard isn't the safest. The wild ones know how to take care of themselves, I'm afraid with her being so friendly, she won't get away fast enough.

Have you looked at the forum section on building release cages? Do you have any friends with property that you could place a release cage at?

[corear1014]

Have you looked at the forum section on building release cages? Do you have any friends with property that you could place a release cage at?

I have one good friend with land near me and I've asked, but once I found out what her hubby and his friends do to the squirrels on their land, there is no way in "H" "E" double hockey sticks (LOL) I would release my girl there. My last resort would be doing it in my yard. Hope someone else in SC or near me would be willing to add her to their release group.

[corear1014]

~Bumping~
Please let me know if anyone is willing to soft release my little girl...

[amh]

Hey there, I have to say what a cute little girl! I certainly can relate to your story. I released my first squirrel (Amadeus) last May after he arrived in late August at about 8 weeks old. I had the same fears as you- I have 2 indoor dogs that frequently terrorize (or so they think) the backyard and my neighbors also have cats. I began to introduce him to the outside by placing him in a remodeled (to make more squirrel friendly) rabbit hutch. He took quite some time to wild up, and was still pretty attached at the age yours is now. Come spring it was obvious he was ready to go. I let him out each day,more and more as time passed. One night he never came home. I was devastated! I'm not sure what happened to him, but there is a squirrel that frequents my yard and always stops and pauses to look at me when I call after him. Regardless if that is him or not I know I did the best thing for him but letting him go. He wanted to be free more than anything. I am not sure if a soft release is the best option for you in your yard but it is something you may consider. Perhaps she just needs time to wild up, I don't know and am certainly not a squirrel expert (hence all my posts and questions). However, I just wanted to let you know I went through the same thing and got through it. Best of luck on whatever you decide! :)

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

I have 2 little girls
they were released about the same age as yours is now, that was back in June.
this is how it went.........
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34575&highlight=peaches+zuzu+left+building

the short version ..........they are both back inside until it cools off and there are some acorns on the trees and the are a little more ready.

[corear1014]

amh and Sweet Simon"s Mommy: :thankyou Thank you both for sharing your stories. It does make me feel better that I'm not the only one. :) Last resort I will try it myself. Hoping someone with more experience at releasing and that has a safer place will step add her to their release group. She is so sweet. I know she will need to wild up. I am thankful to find this site.... Thank you guys for all the advice/help :)

[JLM27]

I think you should keep her until she starts to wild up. She does not look ready. Perhaps you should overwinter her and release in the spring if she has wilded up. Many on here have done that and felt better knowing that the squirrel was really ready to go. Especially since she is all alone. Maybe someone on here has one her age that she can buddy with.

Meanwhile you can still seek for a better release place.

She is a darling girl.

[pappy1264]

I feel exactly the same, Jill. I don't think this girl is anywhere near ready to be out and esp. in the situation you have going on there. And I will be slammed, but I have to say it...you would not be the first who had a squirrel who decided to stay a 'kept' squirrel. Give her more time, look around for mor options and go from there. Nothing has to be written in stone and she may very well wild up where you KNOW she is ready. If she were with me, I know that is what I would odo. JMHO.

[corear1014]

I feel exactly the same, Jill. I don't think this girl is anywhere near ready to be out and esp. in the situation you have going on there. And I will be slammed, but I have to say it...you would not be the first who had a squirrel who decided to stay a 'kept' squirrel. Give her more time, look around for mor options and go from there. Nothing has to be written in stone and she may very well wild up where you KNOW she is ready. If she were with me, I know that is what I would odo. JMHO.

Thank you Pappy1264. I will plan on wintering her and try to release in the spring. Do you think she will wild-up on her on or is there something I need to do less to help her wild-up? Like I said in my previous post, I do get her out a couple of times a day to let her play and get her exercise. I will admit, I do play with her. I just feel bad that she is a loner so I know I probably play with her more than I should. Thanks again for all of your help! :)

[pappy1264]

I would do what she is used to, wilding up happens regardless, in my opinion, when they grow up. Some do, some don't but just being more mature and older will give her an advantage outside, as well. Love her, and go from there.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

With mine ..I didn't handle them except to feed..because I didn't want myself or them too attached because release was and still is the plan.
If you looked at my thread Peaches came back after the one night out and sat on Daddies lap .
As I said before they are both back inside, Zuzu goes out into the release cage every morning, Peaches cries and screams every time I try to put her out and sits up top and shakes, so she doesnt go out .
Zuzu is so hyper she goes into the outside cage and bounces until it gets too hot ( 105 on my porch by 11:00 with fans going)then collapses if i don't get her inside in time from heat exhaustion. I just cant win. I am trying to wait until Oct when we have lots of acorns and some cooler temps, just try explaining that to her, plus she has no social graces, gets her butt kicked out there.
Peaches isn't going to go anywhere so now I handle her as much as i can so she will be used to it in case she ever is sick and needs me to hold her for meds.
In other words, as I ramble, some wild up some don't , some run and never look back, some wont go near the door, some will bite you ,some will snuggle you, you just don't know what you will get with babies, and when they do wild up it could be gradual or over night, so time will tell,then you will know, there is no definitive answer, In my opinion.