Young Squirrel in Chicago

[burrito]

A young squirrel was crying in a tree in front of my house late yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. I watched for about an hour, but no adult squirrels approached him. Eventually, he climbed all the way down the tree, at which point I sent my boyfriend outside to take a closer look at him. The squirrel immediately jumped on him, and then just hung out at the base of the tree. I grabbed some bird seed and offered it to him, which he ate in large amounts. At this point the sun had set and I didn't want to just leave him outside (we have outdoor/stray cats roaming around, lots of neighborhood dogs, an occasional coyote, and we live on a relatively busy side street - in a residential Chicago neighborhood). We brought him inside, he's in a cat carrier with dish towels, a gerbil water bottle, some seeds and a piece of bread. I did give him a little bit of banana both last night and this morning. I also put a heating pad set on the lowest setting under half of the carrier. He seems a little lethargic, and hasn't been moving around too much (mostly laying down/sleeping). I observed him drinking water and munching on a bit of bread and seeds. He does have fleas which I tried picking off of him whenever they would run across his fur when I held him. He's gone to the bathroom without assistance - he peed and pooped on me (which I suppose is a good sign because at least he's going). I think I'm just overwhelmed by the amount of care required to help this little guy out but I don't think he'd make it if I just put him back outside. I just don't have the funds, time, knowledge, or energy to devote to him. Also, earlier this week, I found a dead adult squirrel on the side of the street, in front of my house (underneath the very same tree), which is what sparked my concern when I heard the baby crying - not sure if this was the mama.

Is there anyone in the Chicagoland area that could possibly take him in? Does a local wildlife rescue take in baby squirrels to rehab and release? I just want this little one to get healthy and released back to where he belongs. I'm afraid the longer he is in my incapable hands, the more harm will come to him (not enough nutrition, inadequate cage, possibly too much handling because he's so freaking cute). At least he's safe and warm, but really I'd like to give him more of a fighting chance. Please help!

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[farrelli]

Handling him is fine. Let me look for some IL rehabbers. Any chance you could make it to Princeton? We have a great member there. If you can't get him to someone quickly tomorrow, we have to get him some real food.

[farrelli]

Here's the rehabber list:

http://dnr.state.il.us/law3/Documents/IllinoisFaunaRehabilitationPermitHolders.pdf

[burrito]

Handling him is fine. Let me look for some IL rehabbers. Any chance you could make it to Princeton? We have a great member there. If you can't get him to someone quickly tomorrow, we have to get him some real food.

I did see that there is a lady (Nancy?) in Princeton, but it just isn't possible for me to get out there during the week.

[farrelli]

Bread's pretty bad. Do you have any unsalted nuts that he could have, or yogurt?

As to the rehabber, do ask if they will actually help him or just euthanize. Ask if you can get updates. Some will just euthanize because sqs aren't worth their time.

[burrito]

Bread's pretty bad. Do you have any unsalted nuts that he could have, or yogurt?

As to the rehabber, do ask if they will actually help him or just euthanize. Ask if you can get updates. Some will just euthanize because sqs aren't worth their time.

Whoops. I'll take the bread out of the carrier. The "seeds" are actually a mix of bird seed and mouse/rat food, I think Kaytee brand, which I bought at the store today.

[farrelli]

Bird seed ain't great either. Will you be able to get her to help early tomorrow?

If not, you'll need to get some 1-3cc syringes from the pharmacy, some Esbilac powder with pobiotics, and mostly some Kaytee Forti-Diet rodent blocks from a pet store. She's in the inbetween stage from liquid to solid.

[burrito]

Ok, birdseed is out too. Now it's just water and the rodent food. Formula, rodent blocks, and contacting rehabbers will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon. I want to do all I can until I find an alternative solution but I just don't have the time I need to get it all done right away.

[Rhapsody]

If you are looking for a temporary formula until you get him to a rehabber you can feed Goats Milk.

Homemade GM Recipe

1 cup Goats Milk * (if can - dilute)
1/3 cup Vanilla Yogurt
1/3 cup Heavy Cream

(lasts 72 hours in frig)

[SugarMom]

Hello Burrito, Welcome and thank you for all you have done for this baby. I am in one of the southwestern suburbs and could be the solution for a rehab home for your little cutie. I have been a member here for many years and have just released my spring babies. I am in the enviable position of living on 500 plus acres of Forest Preserve, and my family and I tend to refer to our released squirrels as our "alumni" as they tend to visit for good food and attention. I also have access to veterinary care. If you haven't found another solution, feel free to consider our offer.

[burrito]

I'd really only feel comfortable handing him over to a rehabber who will possibly take him in during the winter (he's probably only 8 weeks old or so) and release him in the spring. I don't want him kept as a pet.

Joe the squirrel seems to be doing better, although the blocks and formula will have to wait until tomorrow but the katyee rodent food and water are keeping him from going hungry and becoming dehydrated. We've upgraded him to an old dog crate which will be reinforced with chicken wire or something similar after a trip to Lowe's because he can fit through the gaps.

Will he need a heat lamp or heating pad under the crate? He has an old birdhouse stuffed full of fleece blanket in the crate but it's in our basement (2 dogs own the rest of the house). Again, I'm still in the mindset that this is all temporary but I hate to feel like I'm doing this all wrong.

[California Squirrel Lover]

poor baby, he's so sweet. thank you for helping him. I'm sure there must be someone near you who could help. Keep posting and bumping this thread to get attention.

:bump

[ALittleNutty]

Thanks for stepping up SugarMom hopefully the finder will respond to your offer. Sounds like you have an ideal squirrel haven for this little one to go to.

[SugarMom]

Morning, Burrito, I may not have stated clearly that I am not interested in a pet squirrel, but offer, instead, to be this little ones "growing place" as he makes his way to the trees.

If you have need of formula, syringes/nipples, or Henry's blocks I have them. He would do well to have formula, instead of water, at this young age. Let us know if we can assist in any way.

[ALittleNutty]

Morning, Burrito, I may not have stated clearly that I am not interested in a pet squirrel, but offer, instead, to be this little ones "growing place" as he makes his way to the trees.

If you have need of formula, syringes/nipples, or Henry's blocks I have them. He would do well to have formula, instead of water, at this young age. Let us know if we can assist in any way.

:goodpost

[burrito]

Hi, SugarMom. About how far from Chicago are you? Will you house him throughout the winter, to be released in the springtime? I can definitely step up and care for him (with assistance from the board, of course) but I'd have no idea how to reintroduce him to the wild once spring arrives (and the city is no place for little Joe anyways).

[SugarMom]

Hi Burrito, I am probably an hour away depending on your location and would be pleased to take responsibility for your baby over the winter and release him in the forest preserve by our house. Perhaps we could discuss the details in the private message board in the "notifications" tab of the squirrel board. I will contact you there.

[SugarMom]

Morning Burrito,

I have not heard from you, so am assuming that you have all the assistance that you need in caring for little Joe, or have found him another rehab home.
Thank you, again, for your care and concern for this little one. They certainly have the ability to quickly charm themselves directly into our hearts.

I remain available to you if you need anything further.

[Nancy in New York]

Morning Burrito,

I have not heard from you, so am assuming that you have all the assistance that you need in caring for little Joe, or have found him another rehab home.
Thank you, again, for your care and concern for this little one. They certainly have the ability to quickly charm themselves directly into our hearts.

I remain available to you if you need anything further.

What a generous offer to overwinter this little one!
Thank you. :grouphug
I hope they get back to you since they posted PLEASE HELP, and you did!!