rrenner001
09-11-2007, 10:31 PM
I contacted a local rehabber to see if she had any suggestions for when I release my squirrel. I was thinking I would release him (it's a ways off as he's just five weeks or so) somewhere near me but not in my neighborhood as my last squirrel was killed by a car and I don't want to go through that again if there is abetter alternative. I figured if there was someone with some land, I could take his cage there and visit him every day, take food, etc. and eventually let him go.
Well, she has ripped me a new one on this. She first insisted that I was looking to dump the squirrel in the middle of nowhere, then she launched into a rant about how I was treating him because I referred to his home as a crate. She must think I have him in some tiny box. I currently have him in a cat carrier, and plan to move him into my former squirrel's home when he is a bit larger, probably next week. It's a 4 foot by 3-foot large metal dog crate that we cover in mesh. Then we add a log to climb on, a hanging nest, and eventually a squirrel box my husband will build.
Now she's threatening to call the wildlife commission on me to have him taken away.
Am I crazy or is she? My last squirrel did wonderfully and was bigger and healthier-looking than any of the wild squirrels I see outside all the time. I allow them to run in my office andl eave the window open so they can see outside, and eventually get outside and come back in when it's time.
If we need to build something larger, we can, but as this is just a temporary home, I did not think we needed to. I don't mind releasing him here if that's best, but I worry more now about the cars, free-roaming cats, and hawks. We have a quiet neighborhood, but it only takes one car and one bad squirrel decision and I was heartbroken when I lost Sandy.
Hopefully she won't pursue her threat to call, but let me know if you all think I am doing something wrong and should give him up to someone else. If I do, it won't be that woman, I can assure you of that.
Well, she has ripped me a new one on this. She first insisted that I was looking to dump the squirrel in the middle of nowhere, then she launched into a rant about how I was treating him because I referred to his home as a crate. She must think I have him in some tiny box. I currently have him in a cat carrier, and plan to move him into my former squirrel's home when he is a bit larger, probably next week. It's a 4 foot by 3-foot large metal dog crate that we cover in mesh. Then we add a log to climb on, a hanging nest, and eventually a squirrel box my husband will build.
Now she's threatening to call the wildlife commission on me to have him taken away.
Am I crazy or is she? My last squirrel did wonderfully and was bigger and healthier-looking than any of the wild squirrels I see outside all the time. I allow them to run in my office andl eave the window open so they can see outside, and eventually get outside and come back in when it's time.
If we need to build something larger, we can, but as this is just a temporary home, I did not think we needed to. I don't mind releasing him here if that's best, but I worry more now about the cars, free-roaming cats, and hawks. We have a quiet neighborhood, but it only takes one car and one bad squirrel decision and I was heartbroken when I lost Sandy.
Hopefully she won't pursue her threat to call, but let me know if you all think I am doing something wrong and should give him up to someone else. If I do, it won't be that woman, I can assure you of that.