Need A Rehaber for a 7 week old squirrel in Lancaster County PA

[HumphreyBumphrey]

I have been dreading writing this post but I feel like I need to do what’s best for my squirrel, Humphrey James. Long story short, my husband does tree work and found an abandoned newborn pinkie. Left the baby by the tree and waited all day for momma to come back. She never came (if she was even alive) so I was surprised one day after work with a newborn baby squirrel. My intentions were to never keep him as a pet, I know he is a wild animal and is made to be out in nature. I planned on raising him for a month or 2 and just release him and hope he would run away and never look back. However, I had no idea how much I would fall for a baby squirrel. In the past month I have had him he has like my baby. I take him to work with me so I could feed him every 2 hours, bought him everything he would need and formed a beautiful bond with him. The issue I am having is one, I live in a small rented apartment and I have no yard. If I had the space and owned my home I would build him an outdoor enclosure to have him get acclimated to the elements but to also have the safety of being near me but unfortunately i can not provide that and I just want what is best for Humphrey. I want him to be able to live his best squirrel life as nature intended and I need help finding someone who has experience rehabbing and releasing. My biggest fear is him being released all alone not knowing what to do, scared somewhere in a tree wondering what he did wrong. If anyone can point me in a direction of someone who can get him around other squirrels and prepare him for life in the wild. I would prefer someone who can do a soft release and not just release him one day and hope for the best. I am all he knows and I just want to do what’s best for him and I get scared the longer I have him and spoil him the harder for him (and myself) it will be. My entire family loves Humphrey but I just want to do what’s right. Any help is appreciated

[TomahawkFlyers]

Wow! You are a super human being. Have you contacted Milo's Mom? She's a member here and owns Acorn Acres Wildlife Refuge in PA. She might be a good start. Her care for animals is top-shelf.

Jamie

[HumphreyBumphrey]

No I have not reached out to anyone specifically however Acorn Acres is literally in my town that I live in and was actually a place I was considering reaching out. I wanted to get thoughts and advice on here first before I called local places. Think I should give her a call or what’s the best way?

[TomahawkFlyers]

Goodness, yes! She is among the best! If she has room, she will make sure your little guy is ready for his intended life. He will get care and a gentle, soft release. The owner has been working for years to put together what Acorn Acres is becoming. Do mention The Squirrel Board so she has a point of reference. Here is her website. You'll find her contact info there. Let us know how it goes? https://www.acornacreswr.com/

Jamie

[HumphreyBumphrey]

Thank you! I will message her tonight! I hope her or someone who has a love for squirrels can take him. He is such a sweet boy I just want someone who will love him as much as I do. My heart is breaking thinking about him going but I get comfort thinking of him hoping in the trees. I wish I knew how to post pictures on here so everyone can see my lovely Humphrey James!

[HumphreyBumphrey]

Just wanted to update on this post I am still desperately trying to find someone who can care for Humphrey. I don’t know what to do.

[Spanky]

If Acorn Acres has not returned your call I am sure it is because they are extremely busy. I would suggest taking the baby to the clinic tomorrow after they open at 10AM.

[Grinderhead]

If it does not work out for acorn acres. Please contact Red Creek wildlife.It's a bit of a drive but they are excellent as well. Even though it says they' close at 4, they have a 24 hour drop off. Which is monitor babies are not left overnight.

[HumphreyBumphrey]

If Acorn Acres has not returned your call I am sure it is because they are extremely busy. I would suggest taking the baby to the clinic tomorrow after they open at 10AM.

Acorn Acres has a pre recorded message saying they are at full capacity. I did send an email prior to calling so I don’t want to be rude and just show up especially if their hands are already full. I will absolutely contact any rehabbers listed. Like I said I just want what is best for Humphrey and I care so deeply for him

[Milo's Mom]

I got your email.
Thank you for not just showing up...we do not publish our address for this reason. We are NOT a walk in type facility and most rehab facilities are by appointment only (in Pennsylvania)

I have some concerns about your situation, which I’m surprised weren’t addressed earlier. At 7 weeks old, it’s nearly impossible to integrate your squirrel with others. Squirrels tend to become aggressive toward each other as they age, and I’ve already grouped our current squirrels into family units weeks ago, when they were still young and amicable. Additionally, we have a mandatory 14-day quarantine period before introducing new animals, which would mean your squirrel would be 9 weeks old by the time quarantine ends.


I’m truly sorry, but I don’t think we can assist in this case. As a policy, we generally do not accept squirrels raised by the public due to liability concerns. Although I try to accommodate referrals from TSB, we aren’t the right facility for your little one at this point. Had we been contacted when you first found the squirrel, or even a few weeks ago, we might have been able to help. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this causes.


I recommend reaching out to Red Creek Wildlife Center, as they have a broader range of squirrels and might be able to offer companions for your little one.

[Milo's Mom]

If Acorn Acres has not returned your call I am sure it is because they are extremely busy. I would suggest taking the baby to the clinic tomorrow after they open at 10AM.

Please do not ever recommend just showing up at a wildlife facility, especially ours. We are by appointment only now and for the foreseeable future...as are most in Pennsylvania.

If our voicemail states we are at capacity why would you say this Spanky? Capacity means full, no more room, unable to accept more.

Sorry, but your recommendation to just show up and completely disrespect our voicemail is really disappointing and hurtful to me.

[HumphreyBumphrey]

Thank you for getting back to me. And you’re welcome of course. I can only imagine how busy you all are. While I am saddened to hear you cannot help I do appreciate the response. I did try calling your facility the first week I had him, but I got the prerecorded message stating you guys were full and I took it upon myself to care for him as long as I could thinking I could just release him myself not realizing how much I would love him. Thanks again and I will certainly give Red Creek a call today. Fingers crossed they can help!

[Spanky]

Please do not ever recommend just showing up at a wildlife facility, especially ours. We are by appointment only now and for the foreseeable future...as are most in Pennsylvania.

If our voicemail states we are at capacity why would you say this Spanky? Capacity means full, no more room, unable to accept more.

Sorry, but your recommendation to just show up and completely disrespect our voicemail is really disappointing and hurtful to me.

I meant no disrespect, the post revealing the capacity issue was put up after my suggestion and I realized they were in the same county. I had not called myself and the poster had not posted a follow-up about capacity messages. I did glance at the website and saw nothing about appointment only or being at full capacity. The clinic I work with does not do appointments but I should realize that is the exception. I'll refrain in the future.

For me... and I know I don't do the numbers of large facilities... I have no time to drive around picking up babies during baby season. The biggest help (for me) is in getting the babies to me.

[HumphreyBumphrey]

Okay everyone. I just spoke to Red Creek they have the space and said they would love to take him in!!! It sounds like a great place for Humphrey. I am so over the moon happy that Humphrey will have the care he needs around other squirrels and live out the rest of his days as nature intended. While I am sad my time with him is coming to an end, I know in my heart this is what is best. Since I work full time and it’s about an hour to 2 hour drive I’m going to be dropping him off Saturday morning since I would like to meet with someone face to face as well. Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond.

[TomahawkFlyers]

Wonderful!!!