HELP PLEASE!!! looks like ill have to let them go...??

[07ghost88]

I can not get in trouble, I love these lil guys but I did not know it was illegal... how can I safely let them go..? fyi, there are a few cats around our neighborhood.. but it looks like I have no choice..

[joyceb11]

They are way to young to safely release them, and to make you feel any better most states they are illegal and we have a lot of members that have illegal squirrels, we just dont tell.

There are forum on here to teach you how to do a soft release, usually the soft release is started around 4 months of age, or you can find a rehabber close to you to help in the proccess

[07ghost88]

there is no rehabber close within an hour, and they are extremely close to 4 months... I just don't want to get in trouble

[CritterMom]

Well don't tell everyone about them for one thing! Then nobody will know!

Where do you live? Just give us town and state - we may have someone here who can help you.

[07ghost88]

Joplin, mo (im actually a few minutes away from Joplin) but its is most known in my area.. if I would have done my research first then I wouldn't have told anyone... they have been in this pre-release cage for about a month now

[joyceb11]

Very nice cage, well if you have told alot of people my suggestion would be to just stop talking about the squirrel to them, hopefully they will forget

[07ghost88]

that and we have close by neighbors that we don't know... I think its time for a soft release, they have tonnnssss of trees close by connected to each other... and connected to their cage.. im just worried about the damn cats...

[joyceb11]

that and we have close by neighbors that we don't know... I think its time for a soft release, they have tonnnssss of trees close by connected to each other... and connected to their cage.. im just worried about the damn cats...

Are they feral cats? if they are you can all ways set up some have a heart traps and take the cats to a shelter, even if they are not feral cats you can still trap them, In my option cats should be in doors not out doors. So many squirrels are killed because of cats.

[joyceb11]

that and we have close by neighbors that we don't know... I think its time for a soft release, they have tonnnssss of trees close by connected to each other... and connected to their cage.. im just worried about the damn cats...

You can always hang up a tarp on the cage on the side that your neighbors are on

[07ghost88]

I agree, im not sure if they are someones are not... we live in a not so nice neighborhood... I always try and scare em off when I can...

[island rehabber]

Nice release cage!
I have a few suggestions.......

* If the release cage has a small portal -- a little door no larger than 5" by 5" that you can close at night, I would begin leaving it open for the kids to come and go as they please. They will return to their nest boxes at night and you can lock them in if you wish. Eventually they will stay out but by that time they will be savvy enough to live on their own.

*Hook up a sprinkler right near the release cage that will reach the bushes and as much of the area around the cage as possible. Squirrels love rain and sprinklers - CATS HATE THEM. You will condition the damn cats to stay away from the release cage, and your yard as well.

[joyceb11]

Read some of the forums that teach you how to do a soft release, and keep us all posted on your progress

[07ghost88]

islandrehabber, I didn't mess around, I love my squirrels!!! and great idea!!! but lets face it, I cant leave it on all day (budget) when should I turn it on? and joyce I will be sure to do that!!

[07ghost88]

the cage is right inside a fence, there is a lot of ground cover just outside the fence... a lot of trees by the cage...

[grampyngramy]

Even though it is illegal to have them I am sure it is not a felony. I say keep them and be hush hush about it. If you get caught plead ignorance.

[island rehabber]

islandrehabber, I didn't mess around, I love my squirrels!!! and great idea!!! but lets face it, I cant leave it on all day (budget) when should I turn it on? and joyce I will be sure to do that!!

Well you don't need it at night when the squirrels are asleep....I wonder if it could be motion-activated? If you or a family member is good with gadgets they can just hook up a motion-activated switch that normally would turn on a light, except you'll use it to turn on your sprinkler. I know people who have done this and it's not complicated. It would turn on for a few seconds while something is walking across the beam...like a CAT.

[07ghost88]

ignorance is thick in these parts, but im afraid I can not take the chance.. im about to start school and I was just married on Friday, fines and charges are not what I can handle right now.. im very torn, cause I would keep them and take care of them, but I must put the wife first.. she loves them also by the way

[07ghost88]

island, another awesome idea... buuttttt im not sure I could pull that one off....
.

[07ghost88]

and the hose leaks/faucet leak(old ass house)... so it would be running all day

[joyceb11]

ignorance is thick in these parts, but im afraid I can not take the chance.. im about to start school and I was just married on Friday, fines and charges are not what I can handle right now.. im very torn, cause I would keep them and take care of them, but I must put the wife first.. she loves them also by the way

Congratulations on getting married! AND starting school. Take it from me raising squirrels is a full time job in its self, and these little devils steel your heart.