new to rehabbing! questions

[DeeRawlings]

Hi All
I am preparing to start rehabbing, and am currently reading on the Squirrel Board and learning! I notice alot of people talking about "out of cage" time. Is this more for NR squirrels or is this common practice with most rehabbers? I have a room I will be keeping my rehab babies in, so they're kept away from my household pets. I'm not sure about letting them have free run of the room however. Can they get adequate exercise with a large enough cage that contains branches to climb on, and toys to play with? I don't want to deprive them of this if it's a necessary thing for them. Also, for the pre release cage, if there aren't trees close to cage, can top be partially covered to provide shaded area, without blocking sights and sounds from above? We tend to get hot humid weather during the summer. If exposure is built up prior to being in pre release cage, will the squirrels be able to acclimate ok? Thank you for your help!

[island rehabber]

I will chime in here because I am strongly against 'out of cage time' for squirrels who will be released within a short period of time. I rehab anywhere from 10-30 squirrels per year and nobody gets out of cage time unless they escape, LOL....for the following reasons:

1. no home is truly squirrel-safe. There are voids, electrical hazards, and even drop ceilings where squirrels can disappear forever. There are other pets, usually carnivores like dogs or cats. TSB's archives are full of stories of squirrels holed up inside cabinets for days.....or tragically being attacked by the family dog or cat.

2. Squirrels who get out of cage time inevitably stay tame and human-friendly, as going in to play with them is nearly irresistible to the rehabber or squirrel 'owner' . When those squirrels transition to the outdoors, they often jump on people, run up their legs, or expect to be allowed very close. BAD IDEA.

3. Squirrels can and do get adequate exercise indoors if their cages are large (5' x 3' by 2.5' minimum) and they have new branches and toys every so often. Frankly, when mine get crazy and mean and restless I know they are ready for the big world and will do well out there. I don't want shrinking violets who are tame. :grin3

Hope this helps. I know others will have different opinions, and well they should because some people do have homes and facilities that allow for safe out-of-cage time. I don't, so you've got my one point of view. :grin3

[Spanky]

Also, for the pre release cage, if there aren't trees close to cage, can top be partially covered to provide shaded area, without blocking sights and sounds from above? We tend to get hot humid weather during the summer. If exposure is built up prior to being in pre release cage, will the squirrels be able to acclimate ok? Thank you for your help!

Yes, it is okay to have a partial roof, but ideally they will have some exposure to the rain and such. They do need to be able to get away from the sun beating down on them, and I don't think being in a nest box with the sun beating down on that qualifies as adequate retreat from the sun! Many folks will also put up 1 wall (or a partial wall) to also help block intense, driving winds; a squirrel in a cage only has the options we provide to escape brutal conditions.

[DeeRawlings]

I will chime in here because I am strongly against 'out of cage time' for squirrels who will be released within a short period of time. I rehab anywhere from 10-30 squirrels per year and nobody gets out of cage time unless they escape, LOL....for the following reasons:

1. no home is truly squirrel-safe. There are voids, electrical hazards, and even drop ceilings where squirrels can disappear forever. There are other pets, usually carnivores like dogs or cats. TSB's archives are full of stories of squirrels holed up inside cabinets for days.....or tragically being attacked by the family dog or cat.

2. Squirrels who get out of cage time inevitably stay tame and human-friendly, as going in to play with them is nearly irresistible to the rehabber or squirrel 'owner' . When those squirrels transition to the outdoors, they often jump on people, run up their legs, or expect to be allowed very close. BAD IDEA.

3. Squirrels can and do get adequate exercise indoors if their cages are large (5' x 3' by 2.5' minimum) and they have new branches and toys every so often. Frankly, when mine get crazy and mean and restless I know they are ready for the big world and will do well out there. I don't want shrinking violets who are tame. :grin3

Hope this helps. I know others will have different opinions, and well they should because some people do have homes and facilities that allow for safe out-of-cage time. I don't, so you've got my one point of view. :grin3


Thank you for your reply! I was thinking along those lines also. I don't want to take any chances of an accidental and probably fatal encounter if a squirrel should get out of the room and meet my pets. I've also read that after 10 weeks or so , that the squirrels should only be handled as necessary for cleaning cages , feeding ect. I am assuming this is to keep them from becoming tame also? Although I'm sure to fall in love with some of them, my goal is to get them ready for release, and not make pets out of them. Not that I expect it to be easy!

[island rehabber]

I've also read that after 10 weeks or so , that the squirrels should only be handled as necessary for cleaning cages , feeding ect. I am assuming this is to keep them from becoming tame also?

Yes. In my case, as soon as the kids are ready for their first cage (vs a carrier or container when they are really tiny), I begin feeding them through the bars (instead of taking them out and holding them while feeding). This speeds up the wilding-up process, as well. Most squirrels will make it easy for you to be hands-off, when they start lunging at you :grin2,; others will get there eventually.