Release?

[Rachael430]

I'm assuming that there's some criteria that determines whether or not a squirrel's able to be released. Could anyone give me a fairly rough idea of what I should check for?
Charlie's no longer happy to see me, still determined to get out of his cage. I can't handle him at all. His booboos are almost completely healed, other than some hair loss around a tiny scab on his head, and a little scrape on his paw. I put some sticks, a pine cone, and some Mulberry twigs inn the cage for him, and he seemed to enjoy that, other than me being close to him.
I'd planned on having him in Raleigh today for a rehabber to see him, but my parents took an unexpected trip to the beach, and my car's being repaired. I'm hoping to get him there tomorrow, but if plans change again, and he stays irritable like this, I'd like to know if release is an option. I can have his eyesight checked out by our vet if necessary.

Thanks :)

[Rachael430]

My boy is definitely wilding up, and fast. I don't want him to be stuck in a cage, upset and unhappy. I also don't want to just pass him off to someone else, since I know that most likely won't turn out well. He has bitten my parents and my boyfriend, nipped at me but not hard like the others. I don't want him to get aggressive with a Rehabber just to be put down or avoided.. :/
He's such a sweetie but he wants out so bad.

[Nancy in New York]

My boy is definitely wilding up, and fast. I don't want him to be stuck in a cage, upset and unhappy. I also don't want to just pass him off to someone else, since I know that most likely won't turn out well. He has bitten my parents and my boyfriend, nipped at me but not hard like the others. I don't want him to get aggressive with a Rehabber just to be put down or avoided.. :/
He's such a sweetie but he wants out so bad.

If you have no options/offers, perhaps the best thing to do is take him back to where he was found, put the cage close to the trees, and open the door.
He is wilding up and so far there is nobody that is offering to take him, correct? You can't hold onto him forever, he may end up hurting himself more. If you could hang around too after the door is opened to observe him, that that is probably your only option.
I honestly don't know what else to tell you. :dono

[kastillo]

Is it possible for you to do a soft release where you live, or possibly where he was found oringinally?
How old is he?
Did he come in as an injured wild?

[Nancy in New York]

Is it possible for you to do a soft release where you live, or possibly where he was found oringinally?
How old is he?
Did he come in as an injured wild?

I can answer this, as I know the story. Yes he came in as an injured adult. (Car hit) in the first pictures she posted she held him like he belonged there. Now this has been over a week now, and his head trauma is over, I believe......and he is getting wild and wanting out.

[kastillo]

ah yes, then a super soft release would be unnecessary.
I would go with NINY's suggestion, and just put his cage outside on a nice day with the door open near a tree and watch from a distance. :thumbsup

[Rachael430]

Sounds great :)
He's a bit less agitated today, and seems more comfy since I added those " outside touches" to his cage.
He was injured a few streets over, but this neighborhood is his home. I'm gonna let him finish his nap, then take him outside. It's a pretty day, and I'm sure he'll be happy.

Thanks :)

[Nancy in New York]

Sounds great :)
He's a bit less agitated today, and seems more comfy since I added those " outside touches" to his cage.
He was injured a few streets over, but this neighborhood is his home. I'm gonna let him finish his nap, then take him outside. It's a pretty day, and I'm sure he'll be happy.

Thanks :)

I know this is stressful for him as well as you.
I think that when you have no other options, and a wild squirrel
is getting agitated being in a small cage, you have to do what
the best scenerio is for him. It's not like you would have the time
to build a release cage.
Let us know how it goes.:)
Hopefully he will run straight for a tree and zip up it. :thumbsup

[Rachael430]

That's what I'm hoping for. He let me pet him, then we played for a while. He ate a snack and now he's passed out by a chunk of apple. We'll go outside soon :) I'm also hoping he's familiar with my yard, or at least close by. Not sure how territorial squirrels can be, and I know he'll be alright, I still worry though. :)

[Nancy in New York]

That's what I'm hoping for. He let me pet him, then we played for a while. He ate a snack and now he's passed out by a chunk of apple. We'll go outside soon :) I'm also hoping he's familiar with my yard, or at least close by. Not sure how territorial squirrels can be, and I know he'll be alright, I still worry though. :)

We always worry, and squirrels can be very territorial. Do you have a lot of squirrels around your property? How about cats, and dogs?
Are you close to the road, and if so.......is it a busy road, or one in a neighborhood where cars have to go slower?

[Rachael430]

Lots of squirrels. Quite a few dogs, all in fences (or Invisable fences). There's one cat that's pretty common around my house, last time I saw her she was about to pop with a new litter. Toms come and go when the females are in heat, but that's been over for a week or so. We're right on the street, but it's not busy, and no one drives fast because of all the kids playing in the road this time of year.

[Nancy in New York]

Lots of squirrels. Quite a few dogs, all in fences (or Invisable fences). There's one cat that's pretty common around my house, last time I saw her she was about to pop with a new litter. Toms come and go when the females are in heat, but that's been over for a week or so. We're right on the street, but it's not busy, and no one drives fast because of all the kids playing in the road this time of year.

Was it any better where the squirrel was found? Do you have tons of trees around?

[Rachael430]

Worse in my opinion. I'm always avoiding hitting something where be got injured. More crowded, more people, less trees, and more cars going a lot faster. I could let him in my back yard, it's pretty open and the dogs are hanging out in the AC today. Harder for me to watch him though, and he's one fence away from the neighbor's three dogs.

[Nancy in New York]

Worse in my opinion. I'm always avoiding hitting something where be got injured. More crowded, more people, less trees, and more cars going a lot faster. I could let him in my back yard, it's pretty open and the dogs are hanging out in the AC today. Harder for me to watch him though, and he's one fence away from the neighbor's three dogs.
UGH, Oh God, I hope someone else comes on here and weighs in. This just makes me nervous not knowing what direction he is going to take, we just don't want him going where the dogs are.

[kastillo]

Ok, Racheal,
Where do you live??, we might have some members near you that can help you release him in a safer place.

[Rachael430]

NC. I've talked to everyone close to me, and they're not exactly up the road. 2+ hours and that's in a big city. Would it be better if we let him go somewhere that.there aren't many squirrels? Or here where he's familiar? I'm in a fairly rural place, and honestly I think it's pretty safe. We're in city limits, so no hunting/shooting. The neighborhood is honestly nothing but old people, and new families with little babies. My dogs are the biggest around, and wouldn't go after a fly. The oldest is used to little furry babies, and has guarded the cages of many of our rehabbed baby opossums and squirrels. The other is only a puppy, and too fat to chase down a squirrel.

[kastillo]

Are you near Brevard?

[kastillo]

Here's members in NC:

Sissy - Central (rowan county)
Saverywood - Coastal
Sara89nicole - western

[Saverywood]

Here's members in NC:

Sissy - Central (rowan county)
Saverywood - Coastal
Sara89nicole - western
:wave123 Already made the offer to help -
even, found another rehabber closer-by...
idk- what else I can do to help..? :dono

[Rachael430]

I've been in contact with Sissy, SaveryWood and Kelley Odell.
Charlie was released and supervised after getting the OK from them.

He left me with two gnarly bites on my finger, so needless to say, this release was overdue. He took off through my yard and up the trees like he knew exactly what he was doing. :D

I've watched him chase some of our younger squirrels all around in the trees. He was so happy.
:jump :jump :Love_Icon

[Shewhosweptforest]

Left you with a few love bites to remember him by:sanp3 He probably was just soo excited ...I'm glad he seems to be hanging in your trees where you can watch for awhile:thumbsup So glad you were able to help him survive to hit the trees again:grouphug:thankyou

[kastillo]

Well that is awesome news, great job, sorry you got bit, but it comes with the territory.
Thanks for helping this guy.:thankyou :thumbsup

[TubeDriver]

:thumbsup

[Rachael430]

I don't mind the bite too much, bound to happen sooner or later :)
The other squirrels took to him like he's been there the whole time.

I'm so glad things turned out well :)

[Shewhosweptforest]

:thumbsup Me Too!:thumbsup
Great Job Rachael430:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Rachael430]

Thanks everyone :)