Help with license info

[Phoxy8947]

I just sent in my application to register to take the test in August to become a licensed wildlife rehabilitator... I also downloaded the study manuals and practice tests, as well as the application for a license to possess/collect, becuz a young squirrel recently came to me and my husband, sick and injured, and no vets would see him. I am nursing him back to health, and he's doing great, but I'm pretty sure that since he is so tame, that he is unreleasable, and possibly even permanently disabled due to losing the part of his tail that was injured... My question is: does him only having half a tail, and being completely tame and used to ppl qualify him as permanently disabled and unreleasable? Should I go ahead and apply for the license as planned? I live in New York btw, don't know if that matters

[HRT4SQRLS]

I just sent in my application to register to take the test in August to become a licensed wildlife rehabilitator... I also downloaded the study manuals and practice tests, as well as the application for a license to possess/collect, becuz a young squirrel recently came to me and my husband, sick and injured, and no vets would see him. I am nursing him back to health, and he's doing great, but I'm pretty sure that since he is so tame, that he is unreleasable, and possibly even permanently disabled due to losing the part of his tail that was injured... My question is: does him only having half a tail, and being completely tame and used to ppl qualify him as permanently disabled and unreleasable? Should I go ahead and apply for the license as planned? I live in New York btw, don't know if that matters


Some of our NY members can specifically address the licensure questions in your state. I might be mistaken but most state licenses do not allow for the keeping of non-release wildlife. With a few exceptions (educational purposes) most wildlife that can't be released must be euthanized. SO, it's usually better to remain unlicensed and fly below the radar. I'll be interest to hear what the rules are in NY.

As far a missing tail making a squirrel a non-release, let me assure you that it does not. I have THE cutest bob tail squirrel in my yard that you have ever seen. :grin2 Dixie's tail is about 2 inches long. And friendly, she is SUPER friendly. She is my first and only pinkie that I raised. When I go outside she will always come to see me, gets on my shoulder and makes herself at home by wondering inside my house to get a treat. She is also super independent. The day I released her she disappeared for 9 days. I almost died. On day 9 she reappeared and she's my best yard pet. I love her dearly.

Don't consider your boy a non-release because of the 'tail and tame'. Dixie has both.

[olorin19]

Some of our NY members can specifically address the licensure questions in your state. I might be mistaken but most state licenses do not allow for the keeping of non-release wildlife. With a few exceptions (educational purposes) most wildlife that can't be released must be euthanized. SO, it's usually better to remain unlicensed and fly below the radar. I'll be interest to hear what the rules are in NY.

As far a missing tail making a squirrel a non-release, let me assure you that it does not. I have THE cutest bob tail squirrel in my yard that you have ever seen. :grin2 Dixie's tail is about 2 inches long. And friendly, she is SUPER friendly. She is my first and only pinkie that I raised. When I go outside she will always come to see me, gets on my shoulder and makes herself at home by wondering inside my house to get a treat. She is also super independent. The day I released her she disappeared for 9 days. I almost died. On day 9 she reappeared and she's my best yard pet. I love her dearly.

Don't consider your boy a non-release because of the 'tail and tame'. Dixie has both.

There is a wild squirrel a few blocks from my suburban home with no more than two inches of tail. I first saw this one at least two years ago, at which point it was already adult. I have seen other missing bits of tail, and it does not seem to be a huge issue.

Squirrels communicate both vocally and with tail/body language. So, lack of a tail may restrict communication, but I am not even sure of that. I have read that squirrels in areas with good visibility are more likely to use tail/body signals, while in areas where visibility is less, they rely more on vocalization.

As far as tameness: Dustin is almost three, born August 2014. Being that late in the year, I did not release him until April 2015, and spent 15-20 hours a week with him out of the cage in my house. While Dustin remains very tame with me, it has never appeared that this has made him less capable of thriving in the wild. Dustin was on his own for about 14 months, i.e. outside but with frequent contact with me most of that time - daily with few exceptions his first winter. Dustin has actually been back inside twice in the past year for about 10-12 weeks each time for antibiotics from abscessed bite wounds. He remains remarkably gentle with me - eating out of my hand , happily using me as ladder or perch, etc. But again, I have never had the sense that this in any way made him less capable of survival. Quite the opposite really - he is certainly the best fed squirrel, plus during cold weather he generally sleeps in his nest box.

So anyways, I agree with HRT4SQRLs (and thanks for all your help with Dustin) not to worry about your little buddy being fit for the wild.

[Phoxy8947]

Some of our NY members can specifically address the licensure questions in your state. I might be mistaken but most state licenses do not allow for the keeping of non-release wildlife. With a few exceptions (educational purposes) most wildlife that can't be released must be euthanized. SO, it's usually better to remain unlicensed and fly below the radar. I'll be interest to hear what the rules are in NY.

As far a missing tail making a squirrel a non-release, let me assure you that it does not. I have THE cutest bob tail squirrel in my yard that you have ever seen. :grin2 Dixie's tail is about 2 inches long. And friendly, she is SUPER friendly. She is my first and only pinkie that I raised. When I go outside she will always come to see me, gets on my shoulder and makes herself at home by wondering inside my house to get a treat. She is also super independent. The day I released her she disappeared for 9 days. I almost died. On day 9 she reappeared and she's my best yard pet. I love her dearly.

Don't consider your boy a non-release because of the 'tail and tame'. Dixie has both.

Thanks. I tried taking him to the vet the 2nd day I had him, but they refused to see him. They said they would either euthanize him, or take him from me. And when I said no, they told me that it wasn't my decision to make, since he's considered wildlife, not a pet. So I told them to forget I was ever there, and left with him... I was thinking I would apply for the license to possess after getting my license as a wildlife rehabilitator, and just SAYING it was for educational/exhibition purposes...

[Phoxy8947]

There is a wild squirrel a few blocks from my suburban home with no more than two inches of tail. I first saw this one at least two years ago, at which point it was already adult. I have seen other missing bits of tail, and it does not seem to be a huge issue.

Squirrels communicate both vocally and with tail/body language. So, lack of a tail may restrict communication, but I am not even sure of that. I have read that squirrels in areas with good visibility are more likely to use tail/body signals, while in areas where visibility is less, they rely more on vocalization.

As far as tameness: Dustin is almost three, born August 2014. Being that late in the year, I did not release him until April 2015, and spent 15-20 hours a week with him out of the cage in my house. While Dustin remains very tame with me, it has never appeared that this has made him less capable of thriving in the wild. Dustin was on his own for about 14 months, i.e. outside but with frequent contact with me most of that time - daily with few exceptions his first winter. Dustin has actually been back inside twice in the past year for about 10-12 weeks each time for antibiotics from abscessed bite wounds. He remains remarkably gentle with me - eating out of my hand , happily using me as ladder or perch, etc. But again, I have never had the sense that this in any way made him less capable of survival. Quite the opposite really - he is certainly the best fed squirrel, plus during cold weather he generally sleeps in his nest box.

So anyways, I agree with HRT4SQRLs (and thanks for all your help with Dustin) not to worry about your little buddy being fit for the wild.

I'm just afraid that if I release him and he approaches some random person, climbing or jumping on them like he does with me, they may think he is sick or has rabies and is trying to attack, and maybe shoot him or kill him or something... and I couldn't bear that-- I've spent about $400+ in the past 2 weeks alone on his new 64" cage, ramps special food, treats, toys, blankets, towels, carrier, chew toys, vitamins, minerals, fresh fruits and veggies and nuts, plus Bach's Rescue Remedy for pets stress reliever, harness, leash, I'D tags, etc

[island rehabber]

Thanks. I tried taking him to the vet the 2nd day I had him, but they refused to see him. They said they would either euthanize him, or take him from me. And when I said no, they told me that it wasn't my decision to make, since he's considered wildlife, not a pet. So I told them to forget I was ever there, and left with him... I was thinking I would apply for the license to possess after getting my license as a wildlife rehabilitator, and just SAYING it was for educational/exhibition purposes...

Howdy neighbor -- I'm on City Island in the Bronx, across the LI Sound from you. Welcome to TSB!
Honestly, put all thoughts about getting a Permit to Possess OUT OF YOUR MIND for the time being. Take the test, pass it, go to your interview (all they'll talk about is rabies, even though you are not applying for RVS certification....just roll with it) and start rehabbing a few squirrels at a time. Send in your first logs, make them perfect, stay under the radar. Getting a "Permit to Possesss" is not as easy as the manuals make it sound: you MUST convince them that your squirrel is an exhibit animal and that you have lots of educational engagements lined up, or work for a nature center or educational institution and this animal goes with you all the time and is perfect with the general public.

ANYONE who knows squirrels knows that this is a freakin' pipe dream......:shakehead One in a zillion will be OK with people other than its immediate owner, and that is a fact. The DEC knows it, too, and is very very disinclined to give squirrels educational permits, from what I've been told.

Take it one step at a time....don't talk about your boy or advertise him on social media.

[Phoxy8947]

Howdy neighbor -- I'm on City Island in the Bronx, across the LI Sound from you. Welcome to TSB!
Honestly, put all thoughts about getting a Permit to Possess OUT OF YOUR MIND for the time being. Take the test, pass it, go to your interview (all they'll talk about is rabies, even though you are not applying for RVS certification....just roll with it) and start rehabbing a few squirrels at a time. Send in your first logs, make them perfect, stay under the radar. Getting a "Permit to Possesss" is not as easy as the manuals make it sound: you MUST convince them that your squirrel is an exhibit animal and that you have lots of educational engagements lined up, or work for a nature center or educational institution and this animal goes with you all the time and is perfect with the general public.

ANYONE who knows squirrels knows that this is a freakin' pipe dream......:shakehead One in a zillion will be OK with people other than its immediate owner, and that is a fact. The DEC knows it, too, and is very very disinclined to give squirrels educational permits, from what I've been told.

Take it one step at a time....don't talk about your boy or advertise him on social media.

Thank u so much for the advice... I'll forget about the license to possess, and just worry about the license to become a wildlife rehabilitator, so I can at least have the knowledge to care for him a little better, since the vets won't see him... if there's anything else u think I should know, I'm all ears 😊 Also, I'm trying to upload photos (before & after) of my baby boy, so everyone can see the difference, but it's giving me a hard time... I managed to get a couple up tho... thanks again

[island rehabber]

Thank u so much for the advice... I'll forget about the license to possess, and just worry about the license to become a wildlife rehabilitator, so I can at least have the knowledge to care for him a little better, since the vets won't see him... if there's anything else u think I should know, I'm all ears 😊 Also, I'm trying to upload photos (before & after) of my baby boy, so everyone can see the difference, but it's giving me a hard time... I managed to get a couple up tho... thanks again

Once you're licensed, there are several excellent rehabbers in Suffolk county and I can give you names if you remind me because I get scatterbrained (nowadays they call it ADDHD :rofl4) . These rehabbers WILL have vets you can tap into.

[Phoxy8947]

Once you're licensed, there are several excellent rehabbers in Suffolk county and I can give you names if you remind me because I get scatterbrained (nowadays they call it ADDHD :rofl4) . These rehabbers WILL have vets you can tap into.

Lol thank u so much

[olorin19]

I'm just afraid that if I release him and he approaches some random person, climbing or jumping on them like he does with me, they may think he is sick or has rabies and is trying to attack, and maybe shoot him or kill him or something... and I couldn't bear that-- I've spent about $400+ in the past 2 weeks alone on his new 64" cage, ramps special food, treats, toys, blankets, towels, carrier, chew toys, vitamins, minerals, fresh fruits and veggies and nuts, plus Bach's Rescue Remedy for pets stress reliever, harness, leash, I'D tags, etc

I am not an expert, but I have successfully raised and released two male squirrels. Sam was in 2004, but the other Dustin has been a free squirrel most of the past 26 months.

I also have a special needs squirrel Ziggy, who cannot walk or sit up. I just recently was given (by my vet) a young male Mookie, who if all goes well will be released this year.

As to your concern: In my admittedly limited experience, squirrels raised by people tend to strongly bond with one person, and are not generally all that comfortable with anyone else. While Dustin remains gentle with me, even by the time he was five months old it was no longer safe for my girlfriend to handle him, as she had been nipped several times. With that said, my suggestion would be to limit his contact with other people so that he does not somehow develop the misconception that all people love squirrels.

I doubt I am alone in agonizing over the various decisions concerning the welfare of my squirrels over the years. Being afraid of what can happen to your squirrel in the wild is natural and understandable. I have actually released Dustin three separate times, due to his injuries.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?56968-Dustin-s-Re-re-release

The second time this past winter, he healed up within about three weeks, but based upon advice from many fine folks here at TSB, I kept him inside an additional seven weeks until spring.

Was it fun hanging out with Dustin? Yes.

Was it nice to know he was safe? Yes.

Was Dustin happy? Not really. He spent most of his day running back and forth in front of the window looking outside. I gave him an entire bedroom 24/7, and when I was home, he had the run of the house. He was loved, had lots of food, and enjoyed playing with me.

But was he happy? No. He wanted to be back outside where he belongs.

Do I still worry about him? Yes.

Is that likely to stop? No.

Is that okay with me? Yes.

Will I agonize over Mookie's welfare before, during, and after his release? Yes.

Will I release Mookie? Yes.

[Phoxy8947]

I am not an expert, but I have successfully raised and released two male squirrels. Sam was in 2004, but the other Dustin has been a free squirrel most of the past 26 months.

I also have a special needs squirrel Ziggy, who cannot walk or sit up. I just recently was given (by my vet) a young male Mookie, who if all goes well will be released this year.

As to your concern: In my admittedly limited experience, squirrels raised by people tend to strongly bond with one person, and are not generally all that comfortable with anyone else. While Dustin remains gentle with me, even by the time he was five months old it was no longer safe for my girlfriend to handle him, as she had been nipped several times. With that said, my suggestion would be to limit his contact with other people so that he does not somehow develop the misconception that all people love squirrels.

I doubt I am alone in agonizing over the various decisions concerning the welfare of my squirrels over the years. Being afraid of what can happen to your squirrel in the wild is natural and understandable. I have actually released Dustin three separate times, due to his injuries.

https://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?56968-Dustin-s-Re-re-release

The second time this past winter, he healed up within about three weeks, but based upon advice from many fine folks here at TSB, I kept him inside an additional seven weeks until spring.

Was it fun hanging out with Dustin? Yes.

Was it nice to know he was safe? Yes.

Was Dustin happy? Not really. He spent most of his day running back and forth in front of the window looking outside. I gave him an entire bedroom 24/7, and when I was home, he had the run of the house. He was loved, had lots of food, and enjoyed playing with me.

But was he happy? No. He wanted to be back outside where he belongs.

Do I still worry about him? Yes.

Is that likely to stop? No.

Is that okay with me? Yes.

Will I agonize over Mookie's welfare before, during, and after his release? Yes.

Will I release Mookie? Yes.

Thank u for understanding. Snickers does not spend much time looking out the window, but I do agonize over the decision becuz there are a lot of cats and put bills in my area, and something had already grabbed him by the tail and exposed the bone when he first came to us, so I do worry...

[HRT4SQRLS]

Excellent post olorin10. It's a very real struggle that we all wrestle with.
We release them because it's the right thing to do. It's always my goal to return them to 'their' world.

It would be very rare for a released squirrel to approach other people, especially when released in the proper location in the proper way. Even my friendliest 'kids' will not approach my neighbor. With that said, I don't think it's a good idea to release squirrels in a densely populated area like a subdivision where the homes are close. That is a bit risky. It's not common but there have been incidents where a released OR escaped squirrel went and attacked a neighbor. :eek Yes, it is your WORST nightmare.
It is very rare though.

Edit: I just saw your post about cats. Cats are a problem if your baby doesn't recognize them as predators.
I will say that they learn quickly about cats. When a feral cat passes anywhere near my house, the squirrels go NUTS. They will all start alarming loudly. I do think a release would quickly learn what that means. They are exceedingly intelligent so yes, they do learn from other squirrels and their environment.

[Phoxy8947]

Excellent post olorin10. It's a very real struggle that we all wrestle with.
We release them because it's the right thing to do. It's always my goal to return them to 'their' world.

It would be very rare for a released squirrel to approach other people, especially when released in the proper location in the proper way. Even my friendliest 'kids' will not approach my neighbor. With that said, I don't think it's a good idea to release squirrels in a densely populated area like a subdivision where the homes are close. That is a bit risky. It's not common but there have been incidents where a released OR escaped squirrel went and attacked a neighbor. :eek Yes, it is your WORST nightmare.
It is very rare though.

Edit: I just saw your post about cats. Cats are a problem if your baby doesn't recognize them as predators.
I will say that they learn quickly about cats. When a feral cat passes anywhere near my house, the squirrels go NUTS. They will all start alarming loudly. I do think a release would quickly learn what that means. They are exceedingly intelligent so yes, they do learn from other squirrels and their environment.

Yes, and I meant to write that a lot of the neighbors have pit bulls, as well as the feral cats... Also, I just realized after reading ur post that Snickers does not really vocalize-- no "alarms" or "danger calls" or anything... He cries a bit when he wants to be put down, and the occasional teeth chattering in the past when we reached in the cage, but no more... And he sometimes makes a noise that sounds like he's sneezing or blowing air thru his teeth or something-- just a short "Tsst" sound. And when ur rubbing him and he turns to expose his belly and put his chin up, he makes a noise that sounds almost like purring. But that's it. Is this normal?

[HRT4SQRLS]

Yes, some squirrels purr. It is adorable. :grin2

The other sound you refer to is like a pfffft. :tilt Yep they all do that.
Snickers does have a voice. He just hasn't found it yet. :)

Pit bulls are a problem. Yes!

[Jen413]

Sammy always purrs first thing in the morning when he sees me. Every morning without fail. Still haven't figured out if he's purring for me or the HHB's though! :grin3

[HRT4SQRLS]

Sammy always purrs first thing in the morning when he sees me. Every morning without fail. Still haven't figured out if he's purring for me or the HHB's though! :grin3
That Sammy! :rotfl