victoria11rose
02-05-2014, 03:15 PM
Hey there, I'm new to the squirrel board and have a few questions regarding my little boy, Heisenberg.
His mother made a nest in my bedroom window and I got to watch the entire process of her giving birth and raising the babies. Sadly, after a few weeks, I found the nest completely empty. A few days later I heard a whining by the back door and found one of the babies cold and starving. I brought him inside and he was been a part of my family for about 5 months. I love animals and I use to volunteer at a veterinary clinic (which was also famous state-wild for rehabilitating wild animals) in undergrad, as I thought of pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine. However, things have changed and I am now in my second year of law school 4 states away. He has been to see a veterinary and is deemed to be in great health (although a bit over weight because he loves cheese). I keep him inside a large cage when I'm not home but aside from that, he typically is out running around my bedroom and sleeps inside a purse in my closet. He is learning some tricks and is very well behaved. Many times I will take him outside on my top porch and he will roam around and explore until I am ready to come back inside.
Recently, due to the warmer weather, I put him in his cage outside to let him get some sunlight and fresh air. I returned home several hours later to find that he had escaped. I walked for blocks, yelling and searching for him. Coming home from class 4 days later, I found him sitting on the porch. He jumped on my shoulder and came inside with me. He devoured a huge portion of food and slept the entire day upon his return. I was so thrilled to have him return home. However, I know squirrels are wild animals and that he truly would be more happy in the wild. After a few days of hogging all his attention for myself, I took him back onto the porch to see if he would venture out again.
Over the past 2 or 3 days, I have been taking him outside on the porch each morning, I keep his cage open and with food in it (which i still have on the porch). However, he keeps on running to the same post in the top corner of the porch and will stay there for hours without moving. When I come outside to check on him he will let me rub him and scratch his ears (which is loves), but when I try to get him down, he will latch onto the post. Its not until around 8pm that he seems willing to come inside. I want what is best for my squirrel. However, I live downtown in Charleston, SC and I live on a road that has heavy traffic and not a terrible amount of trees. He is use to being around, and playing, with my dog. I'm scared I haven't raised him properly to be released just yet.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I keep letting him outside; should I bring him in?.... I'm not sure how to start a thread/post and this is the only place I knew to come .
My very best,
Victoria Rose
His mother made a nest in my bedroom window and I got to watch the entire process of her giving birth and raising the babies. Sadly, after a few weeks, I found the nest completely empty. A few days later I heard a whining by the back door and found one of the babies cold and starving. I brought him inside and he was been a part of my family for about 5 months. I love animals and I use to volunteer at a veterinary clinic (which was also famous state-wild for rehabilitating wild animals) in undergrad, as I thought of pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine. However, things have changed and I am now in my second year of law school 4 states away. He has been to see a veterinary and is deemed to be in great health (although a bit over weight because he loves cheese). I keep him inside a large cage when I'm not home but aside from that, he typically is out running around my bedroom and sleeps inside a purse in my closet. He is learning some tricks and is very well behaved. Many times I will take him outside on my top porch and he will roam around and explore until I am ready to come back inside.
Recently, due to the warmer weather, I put him in his cage outside to let him get some sunlight and fresh air. I returned home several hours later to find that he had escaped. I walked for blocks, yelling and searching for him. Coming home from class 4 days later, I found him sitting on the porch. He jumped on my shoulder and came inside with me. He devoured a huge portion of food and slept the entire day upon his return. I was so thrilled to have him return home. However, I know squirrels are wild animals and that he truly would be more happy in the wild. After a few days of hogging all his attention for myself, I took him back onto the porch to see if he would venture out again.
Over the past 2 or 3 days, I have been taking him outside on the porch each morning, I keep his cage open and with food in it (which i still have on the porch). However, he keeps on running to the same post in the top corner of the porch and will stay there for hours without moving. When I come outside to check on him he will let me rub him and scratch his ears (which is loves), but when I try to get him down, he will latch onto the post. Its not until around 8pm that he seems willing to come inside. I want what is best for my squirrel. However, I live downtown in Charleston, SC and I live on a road that has heavy traffic and not a terrible amount of trees. He is use to being around, and playing, with my dog. I'm scared I haven't raised him properly to be released just yet.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I keep letting him outside; should I bring him in?.... I'm not sure how to start a thread/post and this is the only place I knew to come .
My very best,
Victoria Rose