3 Day Vacation?

[hladyv]

Hi all! I am "momma" to 2 little grays (8 months old). I have a trip I'm supposed to be taking a trip where I'll be gone from my babies for three days. I'm panicking!! They will have water, harlan teklad block which they've been eating well and fruits and veggies. My main concern is how they will feel not having my interaction and being stuck in their cage for three days straight! They have a nice sized cage that my husband built for them... I just wonder if they may be different with me when I get back? Maybe that's a silly question.... But may three days of not seeing/interacting with me change their attitude or something? Do you think they'll be very stressed? It's literally enough of a worry to make me cancel this trip!

[kcassidy]

I'm in NY as are a few others, where in NY are you?

No need to provide city, just a county would do.

[hladyv]

Hi there!

I'm located in the Bronx, how about yourself?

[stepnstone]

Please tell me your not considering leaving for 3 days
and leaving them all alone without anyone there. :confused:

[kcassidy]

Hi there!

I'm located in the Bronx, how about yourself?

I'm in Orange County. I would not leave anything in a cage for a day let alone 3. What are your plans for these two squirrels? I have an empty outdoor release cage right now. If you can get them to me I can wild them up and release them for you.

They would get to be squirrels and out of the city.

[pappy1264]

You cannot leave them alone for three days, they will not be ok. I know of people who have done this (with pets) and they came home to them dead. If you cannot find someone to take them for the three days, you need to take KCassidy up on her offer. Please, it is not safe to leave them like this.

[kcassidy]

Hi all! I am "momma" to 2 little grays (8 months old). I have a trip I'm supposed to be taking a trip where I'll be gone from my babies for three days. I'm panicking!! They will have water, harlan teklad block which they've been eating well and fruits and veggies. My main concern is how they will feel not having my interaction and being stuck in their cage for three days straight! They have a nice sized cage that my husband built for them... I just wonder if they may be different with me when I get back? Maybe that's a silly question.... But may three days of not seeing/interacting with me change their attitude or something? Do you think they'll be very stressed? It's literally enough of a worry to make me cancel this trip!

Hey Hladyv, just want to say that none of us missed your statement that you are worried enough to cancel your trip. It is obvious you love your "kids" but (there is always a but :D) we are also concerned for your squirrels based on our experiences as rehabbers of squirrels. I think if I'm reading correctly they won't be ALONE, your husband will be there, right? You are concerned about lack of interaction? I can't answer that question because I'm a loon myself and can't keep anything in a cage without having major stress over it, so I don't know much about caged squirrels and their behaviors. I'm sure others will be able to give you more info regarding your question

Can you give us more details on how you got your two kids, pictures, names, We TSBers's LOVE LOVE LOVE pictures. What is your long term plans for the squirrels.

Let us know the whole story and remember we are here to help, passionate as all get out, but with one goal, the best interest of the squirrels in our hearts.

[stosh2010]

We need pics....
but it would NOT be in the best interests to leave them unattended for three days...
My lady and I took our last vacation TOGETHER in May 2010...and even then we had a TSB member squirrel-sit our ONE squirrel.(Now we are at 4 )One of us is always there. Squirrels are BIG BIG creatures of routine. If that routine is broken, they stress.
We KNOW you LOVE them...so listen to the different TSB responses and choose one that is good for YOU and Best for them... !

[hladyv]

Thank you all for your responses! I will come back and write a more in depth response before the day is over, but I did want to clarify that they will not be alone. I just am not comfortable with my mother taking them out of the cage since they haven't been handled by her for a while now... They're only used to me handling them so I'm not sure how ...behaved... they'd be with her. She will be giving them their rodent block & fresh fruits and veggies I planned on pre packing for them.

If it really may be too stressing for them I can cancel this trip and the more I think about it the more inclined I feel to do so. I have not invested anything into it so it really will be so easy to just say forget it.

On another note I have been considering releasing options.. they do deserve to live a squirrels life... I just know I couldn't release them from my current living situation... So I had planned on waiting until I move sometime within the next couple of months. I would definitely be open to other options that may be more suitable for them. It amazes me at how heartbroken I am at the thought of no longer having them as part of my life :/ oh jeeze!! I knew I'd have to release them someday... i guess a huge part of me hoped they'd just love living at home and being pampered!! :(

Again, I will come back and write more regarding how I was gifted with the opportunity to nuture & raise them, I have to run! I didn't even expect to get this much written!

[stepnstone]

Thank you all for your responses! I will come back and write a more in depth response before the day is over, but I did want to clarify that they will not be alone. I just am not comfortable with my mother taking them out of the cage since they haven't been handled by her for a while now... They're only used to me handling them so I'm not sure how ...behaved... they'd be with her. She will be giving them their rodent block & fresh fruits and veggies I planned on pre packing for them.

If it really may be too stressing for them I can cancel this trip and the more I think about it the more inclined I feel to do so. I have not invested anything into it so it really will be so easy to just say forget it.

On another note I have been considering releasing options.. they do deserve to live a squirrels life... I just know I couldn't release them from my current living situation... So I had planned on waiting until I move sometime within the next couple of months. I would definitely be open to other options that may be more suitable for them. It amazes me at how heartbroken I am at the thought of no longer having them as part of my life :/ oh jeeze!! I knew I'd have to release them someday... i guess a huge part of me hoped they'd just love living at home and being pampered!! :(

Again, I will come back and write more regarding how I was gifted with the opportunity to nuture & raise them, I have to run! I didn't even expect to get this much written!

Glad you clarified that! :thumbsup
We see so much inadequacy some times it really causes paranoia. :grin2
As long as they are being fed and monitored they should be alright for
3 days, giving you an attitude when you return is optional. :rotfl

[kcassidy]

YAY - thank you for all the details and it sounds like you have their best interest at heart :grouphug So stay around.

I definitely can release them for you, here are a few pix of Blinker in the cage from last year 5 kids who lived in it during 2012 and one of Mr. Magoo (groundhog) down in the lower corner. Once they are ready, we open a door and the door leads out to 4 acres of woods.

I would take lots of pix for you and these squirrels get fed all year round :) The release cage is at my friends house and she is retiring in July so will have even more time for the outdoor animals. Feel free to PM me and I'll give you my cell.

Ask IR, she has driven up here, it is an easy drive and a beautiful area.

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[kcassidy]

and a Blinker in the Cage video

https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A4532ODWvA7bz