Hello Everyone :) From Florida

[Kmspeterson]

Hi there! I am hoping to help rescue a squirrel baby in need (even as small as nursing, I nursed for many years, I am used to nighttime feedings ) of a FOREVER home. I have studied so many things about raising and keeping squirrels, I know there are challenges but I am fully ready. My goal is to get my Wildlife Rehabilitation License here in Florida as I just have such a huge heart for animals, wildlife especially. I am starting to do some studying.
I am a stay at home mom and I have four kids ages 5, 8, 10, & 11. I have homeschooled for the past three years but decided to put my children in school this year. We have only have two pets, two very spoiled bearded dragons. My husband built them a large enclosure so there is plenty of room for them to run around and have full and enriched lives. I attached pictures, just showing some examples of the care we give our dragons! I did have a sugar glider as a child, that would be the closest animal I have taken care of next to a squirrel, although they are still very different. I am in South Florida and I am praying someone finds this post and has a little squirrel life they need help saving!

[Shewhosweptforest]

Wow! Those dragons are pampered! your husband did an amazing job! and what an amazing offer....and don't you worry...a squirrel will appear....because once touched by squirrel love they just appear....and keep appearing if not now....definitely come February...there will be some little orphans from storms or tree cutters etc. and now that you're on our radar...we'll know where to send them

[JLM27]

Squirrels will break your heart, you know. They have a way of wrapping those little fingers around your heart and never letting go.

[HRT4SQRLS]

Hi Kmspeterson
to TheSquirrelBoard

Thanks for your interest in helping wildlife in Florida. There is a huge need for your help. We have VERY few members in South FL and none that are active. We could really use your help. TSB is a worldwide board. People that find injured or baby squirrels find TSB as they research the Internet. We are always looking for someone to help babies. Florida is especially busy because the baby season is almost year round. The hurricanes this year resulted in hundreds of babies needing care. Getting a rehabbers license through the state is a good avenue to pursue. There is an application process, a test (they provide the study materials) and an inspection of your place. There are licensed rehabbers here that could give you some incite regarding the process. Most rehabbers are home based so I'm sure the requirements take that into consideration as far as the inspection.

Hang around! TSB is an excellent resource for learning. Everything you need to know to be successful can be found here. TSB is also a great resource for networking with others that also love helping squirrels. Welcome again!

[czarina]

Well, here are some items you might want to start acquiring. You can go to henryshealthypets.com and take a look around.

You will definitely need one of their heating pads. They don't shut off after 2 hours. This will be kept under your squirrel container.( I use a plastic cat carrier for my babies), but there are other containers that others use. But, it needs to be escape proof!

While you are there, might as well pick up some syringes, 1cc and 3cc.
I like the miracle nipples. Maybe others can chime in on their preferences?

Do you sew, by the way? You will need fleece. Lots of fleece. Then some more fleece.

Welcome, welcome, welcome!!!!! We are glad to have you here. Trust us, it won't be long until your skills are needed.
Last year, after the flooding, there were hundreds of baby squirrels displaced!

Read as much as you can here and ask any questions!

[Kmspeterson]

You are too sweet, gosh, thank you for the warm welcome! He did! He loves a good project.
QUOTE=Shewhosweptforest;1195783] Wow! Those dragons are pampered! your husband did an amazing job! and what an amazing offer....and don't you worry...a squirrel will appear....because once touched by squirrel love they just appear....and keep appearing if not now....definitely come February...there will be some little orphans from storms or tree cutters etc. and now that you're on our radar...we'll know where to send them [/QUOTE]

[Kmspeterson]

Just watching videos of rehabbed squirrels on YouTube and reading stories just wrecks me! Ugh! They are just too sweet. My daughter loves to read about them with me and I can tell she is in love and we haven't even met ours. Ha! QUOTE=JLM27;1195797]Squirrels will break your heart, you know. They have a way of wrapping those little fingers around your heart and never letting go.[/QUOTE]

[Kmspeterson]

YES! I sew! I love to sew. I have a enormous roll of polar tech fleece that I had ordered for sewing cloth pads (weird, I know, but I am allergic to chemicals in pads ) I will definitely go check that site out. What should I start sewing?! I need a new fun project for my fabric hoard!
Thank you for the warm welcome! I am excited to help in any way that I can!

Well, here are some items you might want to start acquiring. You can go to henryshealthypets.com and take a look around.

You will definitely need one of their heating pads. They don't shut off after 2 hours. This will be kept under your squirrel container.( I use a plastic cat carrier for my babies), but there are other containers that others use. But, it needs to be escape proof!

While you are there, might as well pick up some syringes, 1cc and 3cc.
I like the miracle nipples. Maybe others can chime in on their preferences?

Do you sew, by the way? You will need fleece. Lots of fleece. Then some more fleece.

Welcome, welcome, welcome!!!!! We are glad to have you here. Trust us, it won't be long until your skills are needed.
Last year, after the flooding, there were hundreds of baby squirrels displaced!

Read as much as you can here and ask any questions!

[Kmspeterson]

Thank you so much! I am going to start my application process for the rehab license very soon, hopefully I can make time today for it. I did just get an application approved to work at the South Florida Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (I think that's the full name) near me, I am excited to learn and help them while I wait to be able to help at home too. I have a spare bedroom, but my husband wants to set up an area in the garage and air condition it, we will see. He has a HUGE heart for helping animals too, it's very sweet. Again, thank you for the warm welcome, it is refreshing to have so many friendly people reply the internet can be a mean place, lol

Hi Kmspeterson
to TheSquirrelBoard

Thanks for your interest in helping wildlife in Florida. There is a huge need for your help. We have VERY few members in South FL and none that are active. We could really use your help. TSB is a worldwide board. People that find injured or baby squirrels find TSB as they research the Internet. We are always looking for someone to help babies. Florida is especially busy because the baby season is almost year round. The hurricanes this year resulted in hundreds of babies needing care. Getting a rehabbers license through the state is a good avenue to pursue. There is an application process, a test (they provide the study materials) and an inspection of your place. There are licensed rehabbers here that could give you some incite regarding the process. Most rehabbers are home based so I'm sure the requirements take that into consideration as far as the inspection.

Hang around! TSB is an excellent resource for learning. Everything you need to know to be successful can be found here. TSB is also a great resource for networking with others that also love helping squirrels. Welcome again!

[island rehabber]

Welcome, welcome to TSB and DITTO what everyone said above! We do need squirrel rescuers in South Florida, for sure; we are blessed with wonderful folks in the north (JAX) and the central FL areas but the south, practically nobody. Congratulations on applying to work with the Wildlife Rehabilitation center -- it's an excellent way to learn, but keep an open mind about how they rehab small mammals like squirrels. Some are.....ummmm.....not so knowledgeable, to put it mildly.

I work as a naturalist in a Nature Center up here in NY and we just acquired a juvenile beardie (Spikezilla). I never had, nor took care of, a reptile in my life but I'm madly in love with Spike. He is such a character! Loved the pix of yours.

We love pix here, as you probably have noticed, so post 'em when you have 'em. Ask, ask ask questions, too -- we love to answer them and if we don't know, we'll find out!

[Kmspeterson]

I'm going to keep an open mind for sure. It is part of the Humane Society I believe. And yes, OMIGOSH! Can you believe how sweet beardies are? Such special reptiles. they do actually show emotion, I know they love us. I know they say never keep males and females together but our enclosure is so large and Puff is so slow. He snuggles Ruby, he doesn't hurt her. If he did try though there are so many places to hide. She loves to wave her hand at him. The best.

QUOTE=island rehabber;1198746]Welcome, welcome to TSB and DITTO what everyone said above! We do need squirrel rescuers in South Florida, for sure; we are blessed with wonderful folks in the north (JAX) and the central FL areas but the south, practically nobody. Congratulations on applying to work with the Wildlife Rehabilitation center -- it's an excellent way to learn, but keep an open mind about how they rehab small mammals like squirrels. Some are.....ummmm.....not so knowledgeable, to put it mildly.

I work as a naturalist in a Nature Center up here in NY and we just acquired a juvenile beardie (Spikezilla). I never had, nor took care of, a reptile in my life but I'm madly in love with Spike. He is such a character! Loved the pix of yours.

We love pix here, as you probably have noticed, so post 'em when you have 'em. Ask, ask ask questions, too -- we love to answer them and if we don't know, we'll find out!
[/QUOTE]

[island rehabber]

Is that a harness on Puff? He's ok with it? I'd love to try that, so that Spike could accompany us on our outdoor nature center events .