Hello - I hope this is the right spot to post for help and/or guidance in releasing our squirrel.
Our "Sunny" has decided that she wants to be a free outside squirrel.....which I am fine with. It has always been her decision and I will do whatever she needs or wants..... but she has decided that NOW is that time. My timetable WAS a little different than hers.
My husband and I take her out almost daily for several hours of supervised playtime, she plays in the dirt - hiding stuff, flings herself out of one perfectly good tree to continue on to the next tree (this makes me want to throw up). Interacting somewhat with the other squirrels in our back yard. Mostly it's just her learning to be a squirrel
Friday night was the usual until it started to get dark. She came down the tree to get on my arm looked at both of us - did this little purring chirp noise and back up the tree she went and stayed there - ALL NIGHT. Came down the next morning jumped onto my husband - came inside, ate a HUGE
breakfast and then napped for several hours. All like it was no big deal. I almost had a complete meltdown but I guess it was her way of letting me know it's time.
Here is where I need a lot of guidance and opinions.......
What do I do now????
She has come inside for the past two nights but we also "get" her off the tree and quickly get her inside. She has a "house" that is inside right now (so she can get used to it) that will be mounted outside but she has only been it a few night prior to this - will she know this is her home, is she going to use it?
Here should be the link to the introduction page with her initial story...
http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=17695
I don't know if I can answer all your questions, but as far as releasing her it sounds like you're going about things fine as long as she sticks around your local. As a rehabber, I like to "wild them up" some before they venture out in the world, hoepfully making them leary of people. I'm hoping she doesn't feel comfortable enough to jump on other people should she decide to move elsewhere. You could try a pre-release cage, but it sounds like you've already "released" her. She just keeps coming back! Getting her used to her "house" and then mounting it on the tree is a good idea--maybe she'll use it, maybe she won't--but it gives her a place to go if needed. I released my first squirrel by putting a cat door in a window. He'd come and go as he pleased, and then first time he didn't come back for three days, I freaked, but then one day he showed up again just to say hello and cop a nut :-). He would still come and go for a while but eventually spent all of his time outdoors.
I have more questions too ???
* Do I still build a pre release cage for her at this point? I don't think she is going to like it - but you all tell me.
Again, at this point, I really don't think it's necessary unless you want to start the process all over again (not letting her go out unless inside of it).
* Since she was an MBD case how do I make sure that she is getting enough calcium - still??? Is there an MBD Outside diet? They can still have reoccourances - right?
Yes, MBD squirrels can relapse (at least if they are kept in captivity/as pets), but I don't know of any squirrel who has access to whatever and all they eat in the wild who developed MBD.*
She is scratching like crazy, her tail is not nearly as full and I have seen a few fleas, what can I use on her? I have tried the diatomaceous earth and it didn't seem to make a difference. What about permethrin power - it is says it is safe for cats & kittens.
I use Frontline spray and haven't had any bad side effects. Some think that's a bit strong and use Adams flea and Tick spray.*
What about colostrum products or immune boosting products to help her once she is own her own?
If she's currently healthy, you don't need to worry about these things, in my opinion.
* Also do you have a place for us "squirrel enablers" to go to help heal our hearts after the little fuzzy butts leave?
Yes, and you've found it! TSB!
**** I would like to see if there is a rehabber in my home area that would like some volunteer "help". I figured that is the least that I could do to say THANKS to Sunny for helping to save me.