Help Needed with Release - Anyone Close to Middlebury, IN ?

[Huntreiter3]

I have a black squirrel old enough to release. I leave his cage out as many days as weather permits and he is brought back into the garage all other times. I have transitioned him to eating some of the foods he would find naturally in the wild here along with blocks. We do not have black squirrels in our area only piney (red) squirrels. I do not have anyone I can trust to do his release properly and was hoping there was someone that could help me with this. My mom lives in a subdivision with blacks and grays and has squirrel feeders. She would be willing to do it properly but my concern is that the squirrels in her yard are huge from being over fed and I worry they would be aggressive to a new young guy coming in. I worry that when he got to where she would start leaving the cage door open and placing food in there for awhile, the established grown squirrels would find it immediately and not allow him back into his safe habitat. Any advice or local experienced squirrel rehabbers in my area? I even worry about any responses I may get. How do you know if someone is actually experienced and will release or a lurker just looking for a pet squirrel? I feel like Im sending my kid off instead of a squirrel lol. I just feel once you agree to take one in and care for it - it becomes your responsibility to do right by it.

Also, I know this is not squirrel related but I also took in 2 raccoon kits, both male. They are eating solids now and are about ready to be moved to an outdoor enclosure also. I have to buy one, build one or find someone who has one and can take in two more. I'm only posting in case someone knows of a rehabber that does raccoon's that would want to take over from here. I can do it, but again, I do not have a release site I feel confident with, that would provide everything they would need. Of course I still have time to look if anyone has any suggestions.

If you saw the "rehabber" these guys came from, you would totally understand why I took them in when I was not adequately set up to do so at this stage. All 3 came to me with eyes just opened. I had to bring them to work with me every day to do feedings until just a short time ago. It's overwhelming but sometimes we don't have a choice. That's why I'm coming to the experts.

[czarina]

:Welcome. Sorry no one has responded yet, keep checking. We will be able to find help for you. And, anyone that is recommended from this site will be safe for your baby.
How old is your squirrel? And, can you tell us his diet. Almost all squirrel problems are related to diet.
And, there are several members here that do racoons, so perhaps that can be of assistance to you.
Just keep checking. Every one is busy with babies and emergencies, but this is a very busy board, and we are delighted to have you.

[SammysMom]

Hi there, is there anyone on this list that is close to you?
http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-RehabList.pdf

[Huntreiter3]

:Welcome. Sorry no one has responded yet, keep checking. We will be able to find help for you. And, anyone that is recommended from this site will be safe for your baby.
How old is your squirrel? And, can you tell us his diet. Almost all squirrel problems are related to diet.
And, there are several members here that do racoons, so perhaps that can be of assistance to you.
Just keep checking. Every one is busy with babies and emergencies, but this is a very busy board, and we are delighted to have you.

Thank you for the welcome. We are not an emergency case so please don't feel the need to apologize, I will just keep checking and doing what I'm doing or take any new suggestions.
This little guy will be 14 Weeks on July 12th.

I have been a member of this group for a little while now, since I had my last little squirrel and lost him at 3 yrs. old most likely due to diet. I came here searching for answers and have kept you in my favorites ever since then.
His diet consist of Sammy's Moms recipe for squirrel blocks. I order the vita - mins (can't remember excatly what their called without looking at the bag) I have to order them though.
I also feed him dried corn on the cob (squirrel corn) raw sunflower seeds (raw being uncooked not salted) very few walnut pcs. - use as more of a treat - soybeans in the pod, berries, apples, grapes, cherries, avocodo, and Kaytee rodent pellets. I try to mix the veggies and fruits up but he gets blocks and rodent pellets 2x a day.

Any help or advice is always welcome, good, bad or ugly, lol. It is all about the squirrels health after all.

Thank you everyone.

[SammysMom]

I also feed him dried corn on the cob (squirrel corn) raw sunflower seeds (raw being uncooked not salted) very few walnut pcs. - use as more of a treat - soybeans in the pod, berries, apples, grapes, cherries, avocodo, and Kaytee rodent pellets. I try to mix the veggies and fruits up but he gets blocks and rodent pellets 2x a day.

Any help or advice is always welcome, good, bad or ugly, lol. It is all about the squirrels health after all.

Thank you everyone.

These are not good at all. Here is the link to the healthy diet. It is very important to know that these things actually inhibit the body from using proper calcium.
I moved the thread to "Help needed" so that it will get more views.:thumbsup

[czarina]

Double thanks Sammysmom! For moving the thread, and being the first to comment on the poor diet.

It is really important, to understand about MBD, and sadly, it is food that causes it. Squirrels, while in the wild, can usually balance their own diets, but in captivity, it is up to us.

The corn is a big no no, most of us only give a small portion of fresh corn, and only twice a week. I cut a small slice, maybe 1.5 to 2 inches wide, then cut that in half.
Same thing with the avacado, only twice a week, and a small portion about an inch. Never any rind or pit, as they are toxic to squirrels.

The fruit is another thing you should adjust. It really should be a very small portion, daily. For instance, 1 cherry, cut in half, the pit removed. Or smsll serving of apple or peach, about an inch or so.

Their main diet should consist of their 2 HHBs, and nothing untill they are consumed. Then their plate of veggies, from the healthy diet list.

I will give an example of what I feed daily, and remember,these are all small portions. I serve my veggies fresh and raw. This is what I serve daily(and my daughter thinks I overfeed):
1/2 of a brussel sprout
1 sugar snap pea
1 green bean
1 slice of a button mushroom
1 portion of cauliflower, about the size of my thumb (I am petite, and have small hands)
1 portion of broccoli, about the size of my thumb
1 small serving of fruit
1 portion of radduchio, about the size of my thumb
Topped with a small handful of spring mix lettuce

When I give the corn, avacado or sweet potato, I leave something out, like the broccoli and cauliflower

They get 2 nuts a day, as treats.

It is VERY important that these diet guidlines be followed, to ensure a healthy squirrel. It has to do with the calcium to phosphorus ratio, if the phosphorus is to high, the body needs calcium literally. for every bodily function, from muscle contraction to heart conductivity and the body will pull calcium out of the bones, causing MBD, which is a horrible and very painful disease, which many don't recover from, and those that do have a long, hard and painful recovery period.
So it is much better to prevent MBD in the first place. Please go and look at the healthy diet link.
Your squirrels will thank you for it.:grin3

[Huntreiter3]

Wow, Czarina.... I have been way over feeding as well. Im not only glad everyone pointed out what foods are wrong but that you posted the amounts/serving sizes. That was very helpful to me. I will change his diet immediately since I have everything on it. Thank you for all the feedback. Thats why I came here. : )

[sid'smommy]

I think we have a South Bend member here (Linda?) ..Also, McAfee Animal Clinic in Valpo will take him.. they do wild animal rescues and rehabs... But, if nothing else, I can release here if you want to bring him...:) (DeMotte)

[Huntreiter3]

"I think we have a South Bend member here (Linda?) ..Also, McAfee Animal Clinic in Valpo will take him.. they do wild animal rescues and rehabs... But, if nothing else, I can release here if you want to bring him...:) (DeMotte)"


Still no luck finding someone local to help move this guy to pre-release and then release. I may consider calling the animal clinic in Valpo soon. Has anyone worked with them before? How can I ensure they will rehab him and not euthanize? It just worries me so excuse my slight paranoia lol. Does anyone know what type of wildlife they do? I still have the 2 young raccoon's also.

I'm almost ready to make the trip to DeMotte lol. Would you have room for the squirrel if I can't find a closer place for him Sid'sMommy?

I am also very close to the Michigan state line so if there are any Southern Michigan squirrel rehabbers that may be interested that may work also.

[nsquirrel]

I might be able to take the raccoons. I just released mine and we have lots of wooded land. My three (Jade, Jasper, and Jaymin) are doing great. How old are they now? I live just about 20 min west of DeMotte. If they are around 10-12 weeks or older I can probably take them.