earlesquirrels
09-09-2014, 11:50 AM
Fellow squirrel lovers --
We have a 1 year old female eastern grey who we've raised since she was abandoned as a small baby. We were unsuccessful in releasing her to the wild (she just kept coming back and not integrating). She's been living in a large cage in our living room, getting plenty of play time and love. Just recently she's turned quite aggressive--attacking my face and hands to a point that feels dangerous. We aren't sure why this is happening as it seems to be totally unprovoked (no hidden or taken away food, not weird dietary imbalance, no aggressive action toward her, no provocation whatsoever). She seems to only be aggressive with me and not with my boyfriend, who has also been present in her life from day 1. We don't think she would be aggressive toward someone used to handling squirrels and dealing with their particular mentality. So we definitely do not want to "put her down." Up until this point, she's been absolutely wonderful and it is with heavy hearts that we put out this request, but we aren't sure what to do with her.
Is there any rehabber or family with some "indoor" squirrels that would be willing to take her? We think she'd love to be around other squirrels, and to have some companions and playmates. We live in Nashville, TN--but we'd be willing to drive her anywhere in TN or GA and bring along her nest box, her stuff, her squirrel blocks, etc.
We wish we didn't have to do this. She is very much a part of our family and we hate even the thought of getting rid of her. We only want to hand her over to those we know appreciate and understand squirrels and will be able to provide the same love, attention, and devotion we have so far. If there are any suggestions of what to do with her, please feel free to comment. Or if you're willing to add another baby to your squirrel family, please reach out!
Thank you!
We have a 1 year old female eastern grey who we've raised since she was abandoned as a small baby. We were unsuccessful in releasing her to the wild (she just kept coming back and not integrating). She's been living in a large cage in our living room, getting plenty of play time and love. Just recently she's turned quite aggressive--attacking my face and hands to a point that feels dangerous. We aren't sure why this is happening as it seems to be totally unprovoked (no hidden or taken away food, not weird dietary imbalance, no aggressive action toward her, no provocation whatsoever). She seems to only be aggressive with me and not with my boyfriend, who has also been present in her life from day 1. We don't think she would be aggressive toward someone used to handling squirrels and dealing with their particular mentality. So we definitely do not want to "put her down." Up until this point, she's been absolutely wonderful and it is with heavy hearts that we put out this request, but we aren't sure what to do with her.
Is there any rehabber or family with some "indoor" squirrels that would be willing to take her? We think she'd love to be around other squirrels, and to have some companions and playmates. We live in Nashville, TN--but we'd be willing to drive her anywhere in TN or GA and bring along her nest box, her stuff, her squirrel blocks, etc.
We wish we didn't have to do this. She is very much a part of our family and we hate even the thought of getting rid of her. We only want to hand her over to those we know appreciate and understand squirrels and will be able to provide the same love, attention, and devotion we have so far. If there are any suggestions of what to do with her, please feel free to comment. Or if you're willing to add another baby to your squirrel family, please reach out!
Thank you!