Need advice on what to do with 8-9 week old squirrel

[Justin]

Hey Everyone,
I’m new here so I’m not sure if a question like this already has been answered but I’m looking for some advice. I’m caring for a squirrel right now and I believe he’s about 8.5-9 weeks old. I’ll attach a picture from the day I got him (August 12), and one from today (Sep 20). I’ve done everything I could to raise him to this point as healthy as possible, and it seems like everything is going well, but as many of you know he is at the age where he’s become very active and I don’t have a way of providing space for him to get used to the outdoors. I have to take him with me when I work each day and keep him in a cage, and I really don’t want to confine him like that any longer. I’ve been letting him run around the house as much as possible to let him stay active at least, but from what I’ve read online he needs to be getting outdoor time in a safe controlled environment. Is this the right time for me to take him to a rehabilitator so they can provide the care he needs from this point until it’s time to release him? My intention has always just been to get him to the point of being able to survive on his own, I’m just not sure I can continue to provide what he needs at this point in his life. The thing that’s holding me back is that I’ve also read that it can be upsetting for a squirrel to be suddenly separated from the person who raised them, so maybe some of you have some insight on that as well. Thanks319611319612

[HRT4SQRLS]

Hi Justin, welcome to TheSquirrelBoard
The problem I see is that he shouldn’t be released this year because winter will be in WI by the time he would be old enough. We release at 16 weeks. That would take you up to the end of November when I assume it’s cold in WI. He wouldn’t be prepared to survive your cold winter. He would have no food stashes and the trees would be bare making him vulnerable to predators. His chances of survival would be greatly reduced to release before winter. In the spring he would be older and well prepared to survive.

Here’s the problem with finding a rehabber. Most rehabbers are full and don’t want to overwinter additional babies. It’s quite a job to overwinter especially in the colder climates where cold weather lingers on and on. In FL, we can almost release year round with the exception of maybe Jan and Feb. Not so in WI.

IF you do find a rehabber, BE VERY CAREFUL! Some unscrupulous rehabbers will take them and euthanize at the drop of a hat. They use ridiculous reasons like, too friendly, etc. They might even release in Nov. If you do find one just check it out thoroughly. I don’t know any rehabbers in WI. I am certain there are good ones but you just have to be careful.

His best chances are with you. He does need to be caged though. They will destroy your house if given free range in the home. He could have supervised out of cage time.