Rehoming an Eastern Grey squirrel in St. Louis, MO

[ToriSacco]

I'm posting on behalf of my mom, who is downsizing drastically to a home where she can age in place. I'm looking for someone who might want to take in a 3 year old Eastern Grey squirrel. I will obviously get more information from her to provide to any interested party. I don't believe releasing is an option, and I know she just got a new Congo cage for "Rikki." We are in St. Louis, MO. Thanks for reading!

[ToriSacco]

I don't know if I uploaded this right, but I thought a photo might help my post gain some traction

[supersquirrelgirl]

Very cute! I'm sure someone will step-up to help.

[ToriSacco]

I really hope so, but this thread isn't getting much traction. Thanks, @supersquirrelgirl!

[TomahawkFlyers]

Hi ToriSacco!

It might help you to get interest/replies if you can provide some information up front. As you and your mom know, keeping a gray happy can sometimes be a fun challenge. Were I looking for an adoptee, I'd want to know as much as I could before contacting you. We know that Rikki is an Eastern Gray who is three years old and has been raised by your mom. Here are some things it would be helpful to know:

1. Is Rikki a girl (sounds like a girl name?) or a boy? How did she come to be with your mom?
2. Are there any health problems that might be difficult to provide for by a person of average means?
3. What has Rikki's diet been since she moved in with your mom? Does she have special dietary needs?
4. What is Rikki's day-to-day demeanor? Exuberant? Aggressive? Docile? Gentle? Is she well behaved? Does she listen to or sense you mom and respond?
5. Is Rikki a one person kind of squirrel; or, is she highly social and willing to hang with just about anyone with a warm lap?
6. Is Rikki so bonded to your mom that either of them will fare poorly from separation? (Judgement call, but experience with Rikki will show clues.)
7. Is Rikki used to having other pets around? If so, does she "play nice?" Does she become defensive/aggressive and/or bite?
8. What has been Rikki's ratio of cage time versus roaming the room or the house? Has she been rough on mom's nice things?
9. What makes Rikki happy?
10. Is it certain that your mom must rehome Rikki?

It looks like enough prompts to write a book. No book necessary, just as much as you are able to share so readers will slow down and look rather than skipping by and onto the next item of interest.

All the Best,

Jamie

[ToriSacco]

That is super helpful, Jamie. Thank you! I'll get more information and update this thread.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Thanks for your suggestions Jamie! As a variation of your Numbers 1 & 2; was Rikki considered to be a Non-Releaseable Squirrel and if so, what were the issues in Rikki's case that defined this status originally and has this changed. I'm not suggesting that Rikki could or should be considered a release candidate; actually just the opposite! If I were ToriSacco ot TC's mom, I believe that I would want to ensure that Rikki would become the pet of a loving and experienced Squirreler, NOT a "release project! "
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel