I need guidance for transition

[Mel1959]

I have been really stressing about the best way to introduce May to the outside world again. I want to do this in the least traumatic way for her. The background: she went to the RC with her two sisters last Aug. and was released. She was only out there for a few days when she took a fall and I brought her back inside. Thinking she may be a NR I worked to gain her trust. She has bonded to me and never bitten, but will nip my husband. She enjoys scratches and belly rubs while sitting in my lap. She is pretty tame. She has made a full recovery and I’d like her to have a life in the trees, if it’s what she wants.

So my dilemma is what is the best way to do this? She is quite used to an indoor life so I’m concerned that moving her to the RC would be too much of a shock. Would it be cruel to relocate her to the RC if I also moved all her familiar bedding and cage accessories with her? What have others done when they had a “pet” squirrel that they chose to release? How do I transition her?

I have a screened patio and considered rolling her CN cage out to it for awhile to begin acclimating her. The only problem is that we currently have the house open (no A/C on) and my cats have free access to the patio. Another couple of months and the house will be closed up and I can keep the cats inside, but that means a delay. The animals have not been around her.

A very smart person suggested building an outside enclosure that attaches to her CN cage that would enable her to move from her inside cage to the outside cage through a little portal through the window. With this idea she would still have the comfort of her familiar surroundings, but be able to experience the outside and hopefully grow to love it. I could get my husband working on making that concept a reality ASAP.

At this point I have to say she shows none of the signs of being stressed about being indoors as opposed to outdoors. It’s not surprising, since she’s only spent about three weeks of her life outdoors!

In all honesty, the idea of having a NR squirrel is a bit overwhelming. I would love for her to choose an indoor/ outdoor life like NINY’s Fluffer. :Love_Icon. How impossible is that to wish for? If she chooses a life indoors, then that is what she’ll have, though.

Of course, all of this is compounded by the fact that we are traveling to The Gathering. Do I bring her along or leave her here and have someone house sit? The times I’ve travelled for several hours in a car with squirrels they were young ones and they did fine. I don’t know what to expect with a full grown squirrel.....and one that seems to be a scaredy cat as well!

Any help anyone can offer is appreciated. :grin2

[island rehabber]

Hi Mel:grouphug
I have released a number of "pet" squirrels for others, even a couple who had been pets for two years or more. All went well, although one big bruiser of a boy from Brooklyn insisted on plopping out of trees onto my head for awhile -- took at least 5 yrs off my life :grin2. A few times the "pet" squirrels became the biggest badasses in town, in fact.

Acclimating her is important but since you are in a warm climate it doesn't have to be a long process. The in/out passageway idea is excellent if hubby is willing to do it; that way, even if she chooses NEVER to stay out, she always has a safe way to get back in when she wants to. If she moves into the trees for good, you can simply remove or close up the access door.

Definitely put her things out in the RC or new cage with her. Whatever she sleeps in and plays with, keep with her. And no, don't let the cats be around her at all. Never a good thing to make a squirrel think that cats are OK.

If you want to go real hardcore, you can place her food in the RC at night while she's sleeping, so that she does not wake up and look to you for breakfast. One way of breaking the chain of dependency.

If you do need to take her to the Gathering, I wouldn't worry too much. Squirrels normally love travel (unlike cats or dogs) and some even like looking out the window. Try a few shorter car rides first, if you can. If she super-stresses out (twirling, flipping, alarming) then you need to go with Plan B.

See ya soon!

[Jen413]

I think building a passage from indoor to outdoor cage is an awesome idea!!! I think that would probably go a long way in helping you gauge what decision she would make for herself and give you peace of mind in the the ultimate decision.

May be a long shot, but I should have my wild boys out in the RC by the time the gathering comes along. You might have to make a detour but I could baby sit for a couple days if shortening the travel time and being at a squirrel sitters would be less stressful for her than traveling longer. Sammy did great when we traveled about 7-8 hours to see Dr. E. I just put his bed in the travel carrier and he pretty much stayed in there the whole time. I had oranges and apples in there and fed him ice cubes as well to keep him hydrated.

[Mel1959]

Thank you guys for your answers. We will move forward with a portal through the window and an outside cage and see how she does. Fingers crossed.