Should I release?

[shllyrse]

Hi. I'm writing for advice on if/what I should do, about release. I found Thumbelina (red squirrel) last June. She was about 6 weeks old when I found her, and still had no hair. She also had vision impairment. Her eyes were cloudy blue for a few months after that. During mid-winter, after being on FV and HHB for a few months (among daily fresh veggies), her hair grew in fully, and her vision seemed to clear up. Her eyes now look normal, and she very rarely runs into anything anymore.
Now I'm thinking she'd be alright to release. My intentions with her were never to keep her as a pet, but to do what was right for her... she is a wild animal after all, or should be. BUT, since I was told she would most likely be NR, she was treated as a pet all winter. She socialized with my BF and I all the time, and was let out of the cage everyday. She's extremely friendly, and loves attention. She loves to be hand snuggled whenever she's in her box, and wrestles my hand all the time too. She's pretty domesticated. She runs on a wheel, uses a litter box, etc.
Will she wild up enough?
Also, the real issue lies with release. I have no area to do it. No trees in my yard. There's a huge pine in the neighbours yard, but that's all I'm working with. There is a Wildlife rehab center in town, but I haven't called them or anything. My fear with them when she as a baby was that she would be "humanely euthanized" because of her vision issues, and that she had no hair in an area where the winter lows can hit -30 C on a normal day.

I guess I'm just looking for some counselling on what to do. She's my baby and all I want for her is what's best. I just feel horrible though when it's a gorgeous day out, there's squirrels in the neighborhood running around, and she's stuck in a cage in the house.

[shllyrse]

Oh, and she also still gets FV every night. She never weaned herself off of it, and I was told to give it to her as long as she wants it, since it's so good for her.

[CritterMom]

Is there some reason that you need to release her? I mean, all things being equal, would you be happier with her?

I think that to be really successful, release should be when they are YOUNG - that post- adolescent fearless stage is perfect for tackling life outside. Yes, 2 and 3 year old squirrels can and have been successfully released but I really think that you have a "sweet spot" of time when it is optimal, and once you pass that, their chances of success lessen exponentially as they age.

So if you need to get rid of her, a long, slow release would be best; but if you are happy and she isn't pacing and throwing herself at the windows, I think she should be allowed to choose indoors if she likes.

[kastillo]

I wouldn't even trust the wildlife center now. They may deem her unreleasable because she had "imprinted" on you.

If she still occasionally runs into things, I don't see that would be good in the wild. If she''s trying to flee a predator and hits a tree, etc....
See what I mean?

Maybe others will chime in soon, I've never worked with reds, we don't have them here, but I figure the same basic principles apply. And if she still is having coordiation issues, I would worry about her in the wild.

If she's happy being a kept squirrel with you, you should just enjoy it:D

[pappy1264]

Big fear with a squirrel who is that friendly, is them encountering another human and them going up to them, to be 'friends'. It could be a death sentence. You say she hardly runs into things anymore, so I am taking that she does sometimes run into things? I have one who was never released because he is the kind who would go up to anyone (are you my mommy?) Nothing wrong with him, but he just has never wilded up and so here he lives (and he is over 2 yo now.)

[SammysMom]

Sammy is the same way... He just never became a wild squirrel. He is way happier watching a bit of TV in my lap than all that "foraging" nonsense!:Love_Icon
Big fear with a squirrel who is that friendly, is them encountering another human and them going up to them, to be 'friends'. It could be a death sentence. You say she hardly runs into things anymore, so I am taking that she does sometimes run into things? I have one who was never released because he is the kind who would go up to anyone (are you my mommy?) Nothing wrong with him, but he just has never wilded up and so here he lives (and he is over 2 yo now.)

[shllyrse]

Well, she used to run into things all the time when she would get excited and run really fast. Now, it might be once every 10 days or so she will knick her head on something when she gets excited and books it somewhere. I just thought it might be because she was so excited and crazy that she's running faster than she can think. Her eyes look fine though, no more bluish haziness on them.

I can keep her, it's not necessary for her to be released, but like I said I just feel so bad when it's a beautiful day out and I see squirrels in the neighborhood running around loving life, and she's in the house in a cage.

She is happy. Never seems not to be. I just want to do what's right for her. That's why I come here seeking counsel, because I know everyone will give an unbiased opinion.

She is probably about 1 year old, as I found her in the end of last May and she was a few weeks old.

[shllyrse]

Big fear with a squirrel who is that friendly, is them encountering another human and them going up to them, to be 'friends'. It could be a death sentence. You say she hardly runs into things anymore, so I am taking that she does sometimes run into things? I have one who was never released because he is the kind who would go up to anyone (are you my mommy?) Nothing wrong with him, but he just has never wilded up and so here he lives (and he is over 2 yo now.)

That's something I'm worried about. She loves my BF and I. I rarely ever let anyone else see her though cause I didn't want her getting to love everyone incase there was ever a time she could have been released. There was the rare time when someone else would feed her when I went away, but she always chattered at them and made sure they kept their distance :D . I read a story on here about the woman with the long blonde hair in a park that was the demise of a newly released squirrel (because she looked like the squammy) that someone posted, so that was always my fear with her being so domesticated.

[CritterMom]

Well, she used to run into things all the time when she would get excited and run really fast. Now, it might be once every 10 days or so she will knick her head on something when she gets excited and books it somewhere. I just thought it might be because she was so excited and crazy that she's running faster than she can think. Her eyes look fine though, no more bluish haziness on them.

I can keep her, it's not necessary for her to be released, but like I said I just feel so bad when it's a beautiful day out and I see squirrels in the neighborhood running around loving life, and she's in the house in a cage.

She is happy. Never seems not to be. I just want to do what's right for her. That's why I come here seeking counsel, because I know everyone will give an unbiased opinion.

She is probably about 1 year old, as I found her in the end of last May and she was a few weeks old.


The guilt will make you crazy. Meanwhile, she is comfortably curled up in her fleecy cube waiting for you to stop this nonsense and bring her an almond...

[Shewhosweptforest]

Shllyrse I know you're worried if you're doing the right thing..my Baby was released for almost 3 months and she was clingy and miserable....she had the choice and she chose to come back in:dono when she came back in she was so relaxed and happy and she has made a happy life here inside...and she's 2 yrs old:dono considering that you are all she has ever known and you can not release her close to you...it would be mentally cruel :shakehead she would feel abandoned...they really do bond with you and I think that alone not even considering her physical problems makes her nonreleasable :grouphug sometimes we put our own worries and feelings on them...if she's happy ...leave her be:Love_Icon :Squirrel :Love_Icon

[Shewhosweptforest]

The guilt will make you crazy. Meanwhile, she is comfortably curled up in her fleecy cube waiting for you to stop this nonsense and bring her an almond...
:goodpost EXACTLY:) :goodpost

[shllyrse]

The guilt will make you crazy. Meanwhile, she is comfortably curled up in her fleecy cube waiting for you to stop this nonsense and bring her an almond...

You're so right. I mean, what would she think if her supply of avocado treats were to disappear?? No more sugar snap peas? She'd have a heart attack.

Well, it makes me feel better to know that I've been doing the right thing, like you said.. it's just the guilt.

[shllyrse]

Shllyrse I know you're worried if you're doing the right thing..my Baby was released for almost 3 months and she was clingy and miserable....she had the choice and she chose to come back in:dono when she came back in she was so relaxed and happy and she has made a happy life here inside...and she's 2 yrs old:dono considering that you are all she has ever known and you can not release her close to you...it would be mentally cruel :shakehead she would feel abandoned...they really do bond with you and I think that alone not even considering her physical problems makes her nonreleasable :grouphug sometimes we put our own worries and feelings on them...if she's happy ...leave her be:Love_Icon :Squirrel :Love_Icon

Really?!? See, hearing that makes me feel a lot better. That a squirrel would actually choose to come back in. That was also another fear I had. That I couldn't release her on my own and continue to provide her with food if needed, and attention if she should seek it.
She's such an attention seeker now that if she's running around in her cage and I open the door, she'll run in her box and curl up, which means "Mom, come pet me". There's nothing she loves more than being cupped in your hand in her box, with room to curl up against it. That is, nothing other than nuts and avocado. :rotfl
I totally see what you're saying though, about the abandonment feelings. I would never want her to feel that. Like the sad abandoned animals at the shelter :(

[Shewhosweptforest]

Our Baby sleeps in our bed in a nest in our pillows:dono now I know that sounds crazy:crazy but once she goes to bed she never comes out until morning...and she loves for me to put my hand in and she will cling to my hand until she falls asleep....it is so magical....:shakehead people just don't know the capacity they have for love...unless you've been touched by one ...like you:bowdown Last night when I was putting her to bed she did not want me to pull my hand out...that's usually our snuggle time until she falls asleep..but last night there was a thunderstorm and she actually couldn't fall to sleep and just wanted me to comfort her....Oh my God how could I have ever been lucky enough to experience this love and trust of such a unique, funny, smart, loving little soul :dono "we" are blessed:bowdown :grouphug :Squirrel :grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

I have been releasing a squirrel for 2 years that comes back inside nightly. He still hasn't made up his mind.

Night time
http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/Fluffer-May-2013/i-mP7TkKZ/0/M/2013-05-07%20006-M.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/Fluffer-May-2013/29327768_Vmp5g5#!i=2501696786&k=mP7TkKZ&lb=1&s=A)

Day time

http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/Fluffer-May-2013/i-bNRkSvN/0/M/2013-05-06%20010-M.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/Fluffer-May-2013/29327768_Vmp5g5#!i=2501700901&k=bNRkSvN&lb=1&s=A)

I also had a little red, Jeffrey that was quite content to live free inside. It was never my intent to keep any squirrel and I struggled with it as well.
He got antsy for about 2 weeks and I was looking for a great release sight for him, but that fell through. Good thing, because he totally calmed down and loved his life with hubby and me. He had free roam 24/7 of the house.
Talk about precautions and double checking everything repeatedly.....:shakehead
There is also a little red on the board Merlin who has a similar situation. The mama is a teacher and goes to the lake every year. She took Merlin there to release last year, and Merlin came and went from the camp to outside, daily!
When it was time to move home, she had a dilema what to do with Merlin. So long story short, she brought her home and Merlin is back in her old routine like nothing happened. :)

Here's Merlin's thread:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30902

Here's Jeffrey's thread:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18063

[farrelli]

I'm with the crowd that says NR. Sounds like she likes her home as is and might have some neuro and vision problems. Even if she wasn't entirely happy, I'd argue that her life inside would probably be better than outside, especially in your harsh environment.

Actually, just yesterday someone else was in somewhat the same position. You can see some of the responses about life inside at the following link starting on post 25.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35915&page=2

[shllyrse]

Our Baby sleeps in our bed in a nest in our pillows:dono now I know that sounds crazy:crazy but once she goes to bed she never comes out until morning...and she loves for me to put my hand in and she will cling to my hand until she falls asleep....it is so magical....:shakehead people just don't know the capacity they have for love...unless you've been touched by one ...like you:bowdown Last night when I was putting her to bed she did not want me to pull my hand out...that's usually our snuggle time until she falls asleep..but last night there was a thunderstorm and she actually couldn't fall to sleep and just wanted me to comfort her....Oh my God how could I have ever been lucky enough to experience this love and trust of such a unique, funny, smart, loving little soul :dono "we" are blessed:bowdown :grouphug :Squirrel :grouphug

That's so adorable :D I wish Thumbs would snuggle. She'll snuggle hands, but not a body. That must be the sweetest thing ever. They really are so loveable, aren't they.:Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[shllyrse]

I have been releasing a squirrel for 2 years that comes back inside nightly. He still hasn't made up his mind.

Night time
http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/Fluffer-May-2013/i-mP7TkKZ/0/M/2013-05-07%20006-M.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/Fluffer-May-2013/29327768_Vmp5g5#!i=2501696786&k=mP7TkKZ&lb=1&s=A)

Day time

http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/Fluffer-May-2013/i-bNRkSvN/0/M/2013-05-06%20010-M.jpg (http://nmognoni.smugmug.com/Other/Fluffer-May-2013/29327768_Vmp5g5#!i=2501700901&k=bNRkSvN&lb=1&s=A)

I also had a little red, Jeffrey that was quite content to live free inside. It was never my intent to keep any squirrel and I struggled with it as well.
He got antsy for about 2 weeks and I was looking for a great release sight for him, but that fell through. Good thing, because he totally calmed down and loved his life with hubby and me. He had free roam 24/7 of the house.
Talk about precautions and double checking everything repeatedly.....:shakehead
There is also a little red on the board Merlin who has a similar situation. The mama is a teacher and goes to the lake every year. She took Merlin there to release last year, and Merlin came and went from the camp to outside, daily!
When it was time to move home, she had a dilema what to do with Merlin. So long story short, she brought her home and Merlin is back in her old routine like nothing happened. :)

Here's Merlin's thread:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30902

Here's Jeffrey's thread:
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18063



It's nice to know that some choose to be inside. Especially since she hasn't shown any signs that she wants to be out. All the windows open in the house, and it's business as normal. That's amazing with Jeffrey. Out everyday and in to snuggle every night:thumbsup Thanks for the threads too. Hopefully these other situations will ease some of my guilt, and help me feel like I really am doing right by her.:)

[shllyrse]

I'm with the crowd that says NR. Sounds like she likes her home as is and might have some neuro and vision problems. Even if she wasn't entirely happy, I'd argue that her life inside would probably be better than outside, especially in your harsh environment.

Actually, just yesterday someone else was in somewhat the same position. You can see some of the responses about life inside at the following link starting on post 25.

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35915&page=2

That's spot on to how I was feeling :) Thanks for the link!

I was worried about the environment as well. It gets so cold here in the winter, and our winter never ends. We still had snow up until a few weeks ago. We really only have two season, summer and winter, with summer lasting about 3 months. It's horrible.:shakehead Especially for someone that grew up in south Jersey!

I always wondered if she suffered from some sort of neuro problems. Like I said, her vision APPEARS to be better, and I say that cause her eyes aren't hazy bluish anymore, but she will still sometimes run into things. It's rare anymore, but it still happens.

[shellyb1018]

shllyrse,
I was having the same guilt feeling with all the nice weather..and seeing 2 other squirrels that come on my deck every day for nuts and veggies. They are just a little younger than Skeeter. But, I'm over it already...the guilt that is.
I look around her cage and space and watch her lovin all of it. Talk about a cuddle bug too. I couldnt imagine her being lost out there without me to come to.
So for me, there is no need to release her, she will have a place in my home for however long the good lord lets her stay with us!
I hope this lets you know you are not alone. But, I do believe the best interest is to let them be where they seem happy :D

[shllyrse]

shllyrse,
I was having the same guilt feeling with all the nice weather..and seeing 2 other squirrels that come on my deck every day for nuts and veggies. They are just a little younger than Skeeter. But, I'm over it already...the guilt that is.
I look around her cage and space and watch her lovin all of it. Talk about a cuddle bug too. I couldnt imagine her being lost out there without me to come to.
So for me, there is no need to release her, she will have a place in my home for however long the good lord lets her stay with us!
I hope this lets you know you are not alone. But, I do believe the best interest is to let them be where they seem happy :D

Farrelli actually directed me to your thread to show me I was not alone :D It really did make me feel better. It's nice to know that there's so many of us that want the best for our little ones so much that we feel horribly guilty about the amazing lives they have with us ;)

I feel the same way now that it's been confirmed by everyone. I'll continue on just the same until she starts to show me differently :thumbsup

[shellyb1018]

Haha Funny that Farelli referred to my post, as it was just a couple days ago. and it only took Critter Mom saying what she said for me to do the same as you...go on the same, give her extra nut and, give her a little extra loving :Love_Icon
She really is my life, and she has a great life :D