Legal or Not - Florida

[SandyTwig]

In Florida, Is it legal to keep a Grey Squirrel as a pet ?:confused:

Thanks

[SammysMom]

Yes it is. It is okay to keep them as pets, but it isn't okay to rehab and release them.

[crazy4squirrels]

Please print the proper diet and limit the nuts..no dried fruit. Great diet ...live squirrel...bad diet...not so good

[Nancy in New York]

In Florida, Is it legal to keep a Grey Squirrel as a pet ?:confused:

Thanks

Is there a problem with your squirrel that would make him a non releasable?
I saw in an earlier thread, that you would release but your area is not suitable
for a safe release.
Please consider finding someone to help you with this process. I promise you, while
he is cute and somewhat content now, that will quickly change. They require a lot of attention
and time to truly be happy, and even then, sometimes the only way to make them happy
is giving them their freedom.
I've said it a million times, I have raised many and released many. I have always told
them if they don't want to leave, they have a permanent home here. All but one is living their
lives in the wild and doing squirrely things with their squirrely friends. Most lived on my property
and had babies in the next boxes I provided.
Seeing them happy outside, beats seeing them existing
in a cage. :hug

[SandyTwig]

Is there a problem with your squirrel that would make him a non releasable?
I saw in an earlier thread, that you would release but your area is not suitable
for a safe release.
Please consider finding someone to help you with this process. I promise you, while
he is cute and somewhat content now, that will quickly change. They require a lot of attention
and time to truly be happy, and even then, sometimes the only way to make them happy
is giving them their freedom.
I've said it a million times, I have raised many and released many. I have always told
them if they don't want to leave, they have a permanent home here. All but one is living their
lives in the wild and doing squirrely things with their squirrely friends. Most lived on my property
and had babies in the next boxes I provided.
Seeing them happy outside, beats seeing them existing
in a cage. :hug


I'm emotionally torn !!!!!!

I have found someone who is willing to help me with the release process, but what kills me is that I will never in my life see him again once I give him away. I don't have the ideal environment where I can set him free and watch him live his life and come visit me.
This is NOT EASY as I have become attached and it really hurts me.
If I had the ideal environment this would be sooooo much easier. :sadness

[SammysMom]

I am going to be brutally direct. I know how hard this is, but if you go back and read what you wrote you will see that your feelings are about the effects on you. Rehab has to be about them. If he is healthy and has nothing that keeps his from being in the trees, try to put your feelings aside and allow him the freedom to be what nature intended him to be. It is not easy, but it is what is best for him.

[island rehabber]

:goodpost

[TubeDriver]

It is hard but the best way to show your love for him is to give him his freedom. The vast, vast majority of squirrels want to be free outside, it is what they were born to do. Adult squirrels are not happy in cages.

[stepnstone]

I am going to be brutally direct. I know how hard this is, but if you go back and read what you wrote you will see that your feelings are about the effects on you. Rehab has to be about them. If he is healthy and has nothing that keeps his from being in the trees, try to put your feelings aside and allow him the freedom to be what nature intended him to be. It is not easy, but it is what is best for him.

Well stated! :clap:bowdown

[nchls_school]

I'm emotionally torn !!!!!!

I have found someone who is willing to help me with the release process, but what kills me is that I will never in my life see him again once I give him away. I don't have the ideal environment where I can set him free and watch him live his life and come visit me.
This is NOT EASY as I have become attached and it really hurts me.
If I had the ideal environment this would be sooooo much easier. :sadness

My wife thought it would be wonderful to have a grey squirrel in addition to our red squirrel. That is until I showed her youtube videos; she changed her mind fast!!! Take a look at youtube why not to keep pet squirrel videos. It will help you to understand that wild squirrels belong in the wild.

[Duckman]

My question to you is this. If you were kept in a cage even though you were supposed to be free, how would you feel? This little guy has had millions of years of instinct ingrained into him, to prepare him to be in the wild. That cage is at odds with his wiring. It is difficult on YOU to let him go, but keeping him will be doubly difficult on HIM. If you truly want to have squirrels as a part of your life, I would suggest becoming a volunteer and helping the multitude of babies orphaned each year. If, after time, you decide you want more, get your rehabbing license. There are plenty of Non-Releases that need permanent homes. Don't steal the life that this little guy deserves because of you. The ultimate expression of love for this guy would be to do what is right for him, not for you.:grouphug

[SandyTwig]

You guys are right and I understand and I know he will be even happier in the trees, but its still hard knowing he was my first squirrel that I saved and raised, and soon I will never see him again

Monday will be the day I take him. Hopefully I will have the strength to pull through and not back out. The long ride is going to be torture.


:sniff

[SammysMom]

Oh, please know that all of us share your pain! I do NOT want you to think that we are saying we just raise them and release them without having some fear and sadness for ourselves. I sobbed like a baby over every one I let go to the person who could release. I am like you in that I do not have a proper spot for release. Know that we will be here to cry along with you when you make that long drive. However, from this moment try to remember that you saved him so that he could have the wonderful free life that he deserves. You are the reason he will have that joy.
Good job raising him mama!:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

[nchls_school]

I'm emotionally torn !!!!!!

I have found someone who is willing to help me with the release process, but what kills me is that I will never in my life see him again once I give him away. I don't have the ideal environment where I can set him free and watch him live his life and come visit me.
This is NOT EASY as I have become attached and it really hurts me.
If I had the ideal environment this would be sooooo much easier. :sadness

I've read your post a number of times and I keep thinking how would I feel if my Peanut were healthy enough to be released; absolutely horrid. Like you I'm not sure I could do it. Give this a lot of thought and consider all possibilities. Do you have family that lives in an area suitable for squirrels? Maybe there's someplace that is special to you where you could visit even if you can't see him. Best wishes.

[SandyTwig]

I've read your post a number of times and I keep thinking how would I feel if my Peanut were healthy enough to be released; absolutely horrid. Like you I'm not sure I could do it. Give this a lot of thought and consider all possibilities. Do you have family that lives in an area suitable for squirrels? Maybe there's someplace that is special to you where you could visit even if you can't see him. Best wishes.

I definitely will. Unfortunately I do not have any family that live in a suitable area for squirrel. We all live in Miami, Fl and in general Miami is not a good place to release any raised squirrel (in my opinion). This place is getting really over populated. Less and Less green space.

Thank you.

[SammysMom]

Are you releasing with someone from TSB? Or would you like us to try to help find someone for you?

[SandyTwig]

Are you releasing with someone from TSB? Or would you like us to try to help find someone for you?

Not sure if she is a TSB Member, but is is a licensed rehabilitator