Best plan for release

[L0andbehold]

This is my first time caring for a squirrel. Im in Massachusetts and have a 6 week is old squirrel that I plan to release. I’m wondering if I need to overwinter her or if I can do it in November when she’s 16 weeks. I’ve read keeping them over the winter is tough but I also don’t want to send her out into the world when it’s too cold either.

Also should she be in the release cage for 2 months prior?

[Mel1959]

I don’t think folks in your neck of the woods release in November. I think it’s too late in the year. I don’t think her chances of survival would be good for many reasons…..she’s a singleton so would have no one to snuggle with to stay warm, she won’t have a cache of nuts to live off of when food is slim, there probably won’t be any leaves on the trees to provide her coverage from predators…..and she’s a singleton which means it usually takes longer in the release cage for them to be ready for the big, bad world.

Your best bet is to keep her over winter and release her in the Spring when leaves are on the trees and food is plentiful. The amount of time needed in the release cage is dependent on how well they acclimate and wild up. Ideally it’s best to give single guys more time to adjust to the sights and sounds of the wild.

Maybe you could get her to another rehabber that already has babies of a similar age so she could be over-wintered with them? Please let us know if you need help finding somewhere to place her if that’s what you decide to do. Otherwise I think you should plan to overwinter her yourself.