It's almost time... (release concerns)

[cline]

So, we found Dima in September and, probably foolishly, decided that we'd keep her over the winter and let her go in the spring, and what could possibly go wrong? Spring was an eternity away!

But now it's getting nicer out, and she's obviously got to go. It was always the plan to do a soft release when we moved into a nicer place (May 15!). It's a back cottage with an enclosed yard, and we know the neighbors. They are totally okay with a cage being put up for the summer or however long it takes. However, I'm starting to get worried about releasing her. She's definitely outgrown our apartment, so keeping her indoors is not an option, but I'm worried that she'll approach people when we let her go.

My mom's boyfriend lives way out in the country and is considering letting me take her out there to do the release on his land (there's a lot of it). Good idea/bad idea? I hate the idea of not being totally in control of her release (I can't take the whole summer off to make sure it's going well), but she would definitely run into fewer people out there.

Thoughts? I'm afraid about contacting a rehabber because I don't want to get in legal trouble and get read the riot act about keeping wildlife. I still really believe that I can do this, but this will be my first release, and I'm pretty worried.

[CritterMom]

Does she willingly go to strangers now? My guy is putty in my hands but very leery of anyone Not The Mommy. Because your backyard would be wonderful. Give her nest boxes - she may stay, have babies, you get to still be part of her life...

[cline]

Does she willingly go to strangers now? My guy is putty in my hands but very leery of anyone Not The Mommy. Because your backyard would be wonderful. Give her nest boxes - she may stay, have babies, you get to still be part of her life...

"go to" meaning approach? Because kind of...she seems really nervous and wary of things that are bigger than her, but she has been known to climb on my friends when they come by. I don't know much about her interactions with strangers when I'm not home, though. A friend of mine played squirrel sitter last time I went out of town, and she said it went fine, but she had a much harder time getting Dima to cooperate than I ever do.

[CritterMom]

I would still try to do it on my property, especially with good neighbors. Tell them that you want her to be shy of other people, so if she approaches them to clap at her, and ask them not to feed her. Then, make sure you have ample places for her to nest and that YOU are giving her supplemental food. Unless there is some other reason, this is the payoff to raising and releasing - the opportunity to continue to share their life if they decide to let you.

[cline]

I would still try to do it on my property, especially with good neighbors. Tell them that you want her to be shy of other people, so if she approaches them to clap at her, and ask them not to feed her. Then, make sure you have ample places for her to nest and that YOU are giving her supplemental food. Unless there is some other reason, this is the payoff to raising and releasing - the opportunity to continue to share their life if they decide to let you.

That's kind of what I originally thought, but I'm just worrying about it a lot lately. Also, it's probably worth mentioning that in a little over a year I'll be leaving the state to attend grad school, so I'm concerned that she will continue to rely on me too much and be in trouble when I leave. I think this is my last squirrel of college. Too stressful!

[CritterMom]

Ah, so YOU won't be there. Have you investigated to see if there is a TSB person who could help?

[cline]

Ah, so YOU won't be there. Have you investigated to see if there is a TSB person who could help?

I'll be there for a year, but after that, I'm out of here. I haven't done a lot of searching for TSB members in my area. How would I go about doing that, anyway? I know a lot of folks are pretty hush hush about their locations, for obvious reasons...

[MJS]

I'll be there for a year, but after that, I'm out of here. I haven't done a lot of searching for TSB members in my area. How would I go about doing that, anyway? I know a lot of folks are pretty hush hush about their locations, for obvious reasons...

ASK ADMINISTRATION TO CHANGE THE TITLE OF YOU THREAD TO "IT'S ALMOST TIME...(RELEASE CONCERNS IN OHIO)" OR WHEREVER. THEN ASK MEMBERS TO PM YOU IF THEY ARE NEARBY AND WILLING TO HELP.