What I've spent on my new squirrel $$$$ They are expensive!

[CrazySquirrelLady]

Emergency goat milk formula supplies: $10.00

Fox Valley Formula: $50

Syringes, nipples: $30

Cage: $150

Fleece for cage: $50

Toys: $50

Miscellaneous supplies: $30

Food: $60 (so far, Henry's Blocks etc.)

Total: $430 so far, and I've only had them for one month......


Not bragging just putting this out there so anyone thinking about keeping a squirrel will know what they are getting into.

I think I left some things out too... may as well round it up to $500.... LOL.

[island rehabber]

YES, this is why I keep BUMPing the stickies that say "Thinking of Raising That Baby Yourself???" :poke :shakehead

[astra]

this should be a sticky (just add that a release cage is coming up, too, and that for more than 2 squirrels a bigger cage might be needed, most likely, hand-built etc etc etc)

[sassysquirrel]

Just what I was going to type - you have not even got the release cage yet - although I did see where you are getting one from somebody in Memphis - but still - to make a nice and sturdy release cage can get expensive

[CrazySquirrelLady]

this is only 30 days supplies.... first month!

Not done spending $$ on my boys yet! :D

[Rhapsody]

YES, this is why I keep BUMPing the stickies that say "Thinking of Raising That Baby Yourself???" :poke :shakehead
I AGREE!!!!! :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[skippy]

Just what I was going to type - you have not even got the release cage yet - although I did see where you are getting one from somebody in Memphis - but still - to make a nice and sturdy release cage can get expensive

Mine cost close to $650.00 to build. That was 3 years ago. 4x8x12

Yes, it is expensive to do it right.

This is a good topic to discuss for those who are making a decision to raise themselves or relinquish to a rehabber.

[Rhapsody]

Even though men dont always show us women that they love us....... this is how I know my husband of 30 years still loves ME!! --he rarely complains about all the thousands of dollars I have put into my pets & rehabbed animals over the years....... NOW thats LOVE!! :Love_Icon

[CrazySquirrelLady]

This is a good topic to discuss for those who are making a decision to raise themselves or relinquish to a rehabber.
my point exactly..... there are no shortcuts, these are bare minimum supplies!

[Rhapsody]

It can get expensive and thats why we do our best to help each other out..... just think of the rehabbers when they have 10 baby squirrels (or more) at one time..... and we have all been there at one time or another, I know I have.

[Foamy the squirrel]

you dont get fonding ? or donations? for the supplys

[CrazySquirrelLady]

No Foamy, but if you feel like donating, I'll send you my Paypal addy... LOL... ;)

[Rhapsody]

No Foamy, but if you feel like donating, I'll send you my Paypal addy... LOL... ;)I hear you there...... ME too - lol
I have a Donation Link on My website link, No one is turned way. :D

[Jackie in Tampa]

been broke for ten years, rehabbing for ten years...:osnap
I get it!:)

[Rhapsody]

been broke for ten years, rehabbing for ten years...:osnap
I get it!:)
This is the MOST broke and happy LADY..... I have ever seen. :bowdown :Love_Icon :bowdown

[island rehabber]

Nearly ALL wildlife rehabilitators are VOLUNTEERS. We do everything out of our own pockets, on our own time. We are licensed by the states we live in, and inspected and overruled by those states, but the state gives us NOTHING. Not one dime. Even the animals we rehab are not "ours", they are the property of the State. In NY, we are allowed to receive donations, but we are not allowed to solicit them! I rarely get donations, myself.......:dono

A few.....a very very few rehabbers, mostly in big sky states like Montana and Wyoming, actually receive a decent salary for running wildlife rehabilitation facilities. But these jobs are few and far between, and require quite advanced experience and training that most home rehabbers do not have, and cannot afford the luxury of going back to school in order to get.

We are certainly not in this for the money. :D

[rainrshine]

Nearly ALL wildlife rehabilitators are VOLUNTEERS. We do everything out of our own pockets, on our own time. We are licensed by the states we live in, and inspected and overruled by those states, but the state gives us NOTHING. Not one dime. Even the animals we rehab are not "ours", they are the property of the State. In NY, we are allowed to receive donations, but we are not allowed to solicit them! I rarely get donations, myself.......:dono

A few.....a very very few rehabbers, mostly in big sky states like Montana and Wyoming, actually receive a decent salary for running wildlife rehabilitation facilities. But these jobs are few and far between, and require quite advanced experience and training that most home rehabbers do not have, and cannot afford the luxury of going back to school in order to get.

We are certainly not in this for the money. :D


:jump Does snack donations qualify as help? :jump I know just taking the time gathering some wild foods that may not be available to the rehabbers is a small way of showing appreciation for their work. We don't always need to charge for something that grows freely in our yards. Most rehabbers would gladly offer postage if asked but if we are in the giving spirit then we should give freely and not ask. These babies are not cheap to feed and a few acorns, some nuts, even some mismatched fleece (I saw one person giving this away) could make the babies a lot more comfortable and ease the deep pockets of a caring but broke rehabber.

[CrazySquirrelLady]

We are certainly not in this for the money. :D


Right on Island Rehabber! Right ON!

My credit card is getting LOTS of use. My squirrels don't live in luxury, they are getting the minimum to live healthy.

I am willing to pick up nuts, or anything to make their lives better! I will do whatever I have to for them, because no one else makes me laugh this much every DAY. Somebody sew me a mask in case I have to start robbing liquor stores! heehee

[skippy]

Even though men dont always show us women that they love us....... this is how I know my husband of 30 years still loves ME!! --he rarely complains about all the thousands of dollars I have put into my pets & rehabbed animals over the years....... NOW thats LOVE!! :Love_Icon

:) That is a gesture of love!
My husband of 27 years just came in while I was feeding the squirrels complaining about the 6 bags of produce I brought home from the store and "Didn't you buy anything for us to eat?"

But I should give him credit for helping me build the release cage and "stage" it with fresh trees etc for each new batch of residents. He enjoys them a lot too.

Raising and releasing the squirrels fills me with so much gratification, happiness, love and joy. A privilege and an honor to care for the little ones who cannot always help themselves. :Love_Icon

[PennyCash]

Personally I will not total up what I've spent for just my one girl, (just in case hubby checks threads :D ) I can say that the needs of squirrels require A LOT of special food, supplies, caging, and that's just the basics. Once you start with the little nice things that you want them to have it adds even more to the total.
I know how easy it is to fall deeply and irrevocably in love with these precious babies. I absolutely adore my girl and yet....
I would highly recommend to anyone to give a baby to a qualified Rehabilitator and donate time and money to that individual. I think that ultimately that would be best all the way around, the rehabilitator is prepared and able to properly take care of the baby, the finder is able to learn and stay involved with the upbringing. This is Just my personal opinion:grouphug

[rainrshine]

I'd have to tell hubby we were eating salads :D I suppose I might be a little guilty of keeping squirrel expenses out of our daily conversations :thinking Of course, he is just as quick to make a store run for the boys as I am and he even took off from work and drove me to Tampa to get Lester so I'm guessing he likes the babies more than he is willing to admit!

[Foamy the squirrel]

oh wow.... that sucks ... I still wanna become a rehabber tho :) for the animals.... do you rehab any outher animals aside from sqrls? sry to thread jack just intrested and have questions due to the fact that im intrested in becomeing a rehabber

[skippy]

I'd have to tell hubby we were eating salads :D I suppose I might be a little guilty of keeping squirrel expenses out of our daily conversations :thinking Of course, he is just as quick to make a store run for the boys as I am and he even took off from work and drove me to Tampa to get Lester so I'm guessing he likes the babies more than he is willing to admit!
:thumbsup
That would have been a great response. I often think of becoming vegetarian every morning when I'm making salad/veggie dishes for the crew. Or at least make him one for his dinner when I haven't had time to make dinner when it's a revolving door of rescuing here.:)

[shellyb1018]

I have one..and I spend, spend, spend. My heart and gratitude go out to all of you who take care of bunches of babies at 1 time. I try to donate when I can, but "if I had a million dollars" it would be all of you rehabbers. I dont think I would be able to handle it with my work schedule, income, etc.
Thanks to all of you who do it!! :Love_Icon