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View Full Version : Anyone near Georgia who can take a 13 week old in good health



acorniv
11-12-2012, 07:14 PM
I'm looking for someone who needs a safety buddy for life for their squirrel. I'm willing to drive a state away - perhaps two, to deliver my guy for a good match. I'm in North West Georgia, and some of my family is headed to Dallas Texas for Thanksgiving, so we could go that far in that direction or a days drive away in any direction prior to (or after) then. Optimally, I;d like to do this before puberty hits as I'd assume they accept strangers more readily then. Someone wiht a female, will probably have better success bonding them.


My guy is a male Easter Gray who is in robust health, is 100% toilet trained, emotionally well adjusted, and a perfect candidate for release. I promise you, there will be no bad surprises with this guy! He has unusually big eyes and is
uncommonly handsome.

He's weaned to a cup, but still drinking formula (foxes) from it twice a day. He loves Henry's blocks and a wide variety of greens with fruits and nuts for treats. He is my second squirrel. The first arrived sickly and had terible digestiive problems, so I've been meticulous to make sure this guy had the best possible diet from day one and the best start in life.

Back story: He was very fortunate as orphans go. Someone actually saw him fall, and immediately took action, I was able to pick him up within an hour of his fall. His mama had just fed him so he came into my care with a nice full tummy - that has to be a rare as hen's teeth! He and his sibling fell from their nest when (we presume) a predator attacked, The sibling did not survive the fall. The mama never showed up, and we assume was the target of the attack. His only injury was a bruised ankle, which healed in a few days. He's got a healthy fear of cats, and is friendly with all humans he's met, though we limit contact to his caretakers. His only complaint is loneliness for a playmate and while we humans try, we're poor substitutes for squirrel friendship.

I'm in a poor position to relase him as my area has become over run with hawks, including two that nest in my yard. I also have 4 cats who are tired of being shut up in the back half of the house, due to a squirrel being in my living room. That is why I'd like to find someone who can pair him with their own and give them a great relase opportunity.

Anyone out there able to take on this little guy?

crazy4squirrels
11-13-2012, 11:53 AM
I am in Florida about 3 1/2 hours south from the GA line. I would take him but I believe there are people closer? He would, most likely, not be able to be put into a cage with another because he is a little older and getting territorial. It would take time to introduce to another. I have an empty cage and I have two females that are about 14 weeks the could be put next to him but not in with him. I will be moving my females into the pre release cage around Christmas, weather pending, and they will be released mid Feb. Again, I would think there is someone closer to you but if you don't mind a drive? See if anyone closer will step up.

acorniv
11-13-2012, 01:37 PM
I am in Florida about 3 1/2 hours south from the GA line. I would take him but I believe there are people closer? He would, most likely, not be able to be put into a cage with another because he is a little older and getting territorial. It would take time to introduce to another. I have an empty cage and I have two females that are about 14 weeks the could be put next to him but not in with him. I will be moving my females into the pre release cage around Christmas, weather pending, and they will be released mid Feb. Again, I would think there is someone closer to you but if you don't mind a drive? See if anyone closer will step up.

Well, I did say a day's drive away, LOL. I'm hoping there is someone closer, but Imy first priority is that he be able to have a buddy to release with. I'd like to clarify what you're thinking. Do you think he (or they) will be too territorial for him to bond with the two females? Or did you have another reason not to try caging the three together?

At this point, he is not threatened by anything we ( humans) do, but I can see that he is moving towards being wilder - not aggressive, exactly, but I can see signs that me may be before long. My last squirrel was extremely docile always ( she had seizures and so lived with us for 2 years ) it's interesting how much more wild natured this one is, considering he was just 3 weeks when we got him and she was 7.

Thank you, for at least considering it. I wanted to tackle this some weeks ago, but have had far too much on my plate lately. Meanwhile, the little dude insisted in continuing to grow up!

crazy4squirrels
11-13-2012, 03:56 PM
The two females are bonded. They are not blood siblings but one was 6 weeks and the other was 5 weeks when they were put together so they were babies and babies love to snuggle and bond. At 13-14 weeks they are pretty mature and have bonded to the other. He would have to be put next to a cage containing another squirrel and slowly introduced. They need time to accept one another and that, at this age, just takes a little time. I would not just put them in together. They also would need a cage that was "new" to all so that territory wasn't established. I am not aying it can not be done, I am saying it would need to be done safely.
They are all different when it comes to personality, thats for sure!

acorniv
11-14-2012, 04:36 AM
The two females are bonded. They are not blood siblings but one was 6 weeks and the other was 5 weeks when they were put together so they were babies and babies love to snuggle and bond. At 13-14 weeks they are pretty mature and have bonded to the other. He would have to be put next to a cage containing another squirrel and slowly introduced. They need time to accept one another and that, at this age, just takes a little time. I would not just put them in together. They also would need a cage that was "new" to all so that territory wasn't established. I am not aying it can not be done, I am saying it would need to be done safely.
They are all different when it comes to personality, thats for sure!

Ah, yes - I agree completely! On all counts. Thanks for clarifying :thankyou

atlantasquirrelgirl
11-14-2012, 09:50 AM
I can probably help you find a rehabber to take him in the Atlanta/Athens area. I know of somebody who has a boy and girl (about 10 weeks old) and preparing to transfer for release to a rehabber in Athens. Just drop me a PM if you need contact info.

Jackie in Tampa
11-14-2012, 09:54 AM
TY:thumbsup :wave123

virginia_arce2280
11-15-2012, 08:42 PM
Did you find someone to take him?
I live 30 minutes from Valdosta, GA, I know it's kind of far for you.
I have a 19 week old male that is by himself in a cage outside that will be released in the spring. I don't know if that's too much of an age difference for the boys. I'm working on moving him to a different cage, so I can put them in the new one together to help with territory issues.
If I can help, let me know.

virginia_arce2280
11-15-2012, 08:43 PM
But hopefully you can find someone close by so you don't have to drive so far.:thumbsup :thumbsup

jbtartell
11-15-2012, 09:31 PM
I live a good distance but I have a great place to raise your baby if need be.. I live in fort mill sc.. just PM me if you need to talk about it. I have lots of buddies this age in our rehabbers.. or I will put him in with talon and schwinn.. rehabber for 6 years..