It often happens to find injured squirrels in the wild, especially pups. If you need to care for a wild squirrel, make sure it has food, shelter, and medical care. Try to get him to an animal shelter as soon as possible. It is not recommended to keep squirrels as pets, as they do not thrive in captivity and doing so is illegal in many states. Before making a decision, consult the laws of your country.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Preparing the Environment
Step 1. Find out about the laws in force first
Wildlife care laws vary greatly from country to country. Make sure you know if it's legal to care for a squirrel before you begin.
- For example, while red squirrels are a protected species in the UK, it is illegal to treat an injured gray squirrel because it is part of an invasive species. Anyone who finds an injured gray squirrel in the UK is under an obligation to eliminate it by humane methods.
- In some US states, wildlife care is permitted only with permission. You may also need to notify the State Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Call your local wildlife trapping agency to ask if it is legal to rescue a wild squirrel.
Step 2. Create a shelter for your squirrel
If you find an injured specimen outdoors and are legally entitled to rescue it, be sure to give it an appropriate home. Wild squirrels don't normally have rabies, but all warm-blooded animals can get this disease, so be careful. If you are bitten, clean the wound with water and call your doctor for further treatment, but be aware that having the squirrel tested for disease will result in its death. If you don't have a cage, there are other options.
- The injured squirrels you can find in the wild are almost always pups. They often fall out of nests or are lost by their mothers. You can keep a puppy in a small box, for example a shoe box. Leave it outside, away from predators and don't close it. That way, if the mother has lost it, she will be able to find it again. If you can't keep it outdoors, put the box in the garage or in a closed room in the house.
- If you are planning to keep the squirrel for the long term because you cannot take it to a shelter, you will have to spend a lot of money and put a lot of time into it. The first step is to purchase a cage. Adult squirrels need tall cages to be able to move and play. For puppies, smaller cages are needed, so that they cannot climb and get hurt by falling. If you have an old cage for cats or other rodents, you can use it for the squirrel cub. Make sure it's not plastic though, or the animal may eat it in a short time. For an adult squirrel you can use an aviary that is at least one meter high. You can also purchase a cage of the perfect size at a pet store.
Step 3. Place a den and soft material for a cot in the cage
Once you've found a suitable container for the squirrel, you need to give him a place to rest. This helps it stay comfortable and warm, as well as mimicking the conditions of its natural habitat.
- Squirrels love to build a den to sleep in. Do not use cardboard, as it will dry out the animal's skin and mucous membranes. Many pet stores sell bird nests and dens at moderate prices. They can be fine for keeping your squirrel warm and safe.
- Squirrels need a lot of soft material to stay warm. However, be careful what you use. Use old clothes, such as cotton or flannel sweaters, but avoid towels or other items made of terry or similar materials. Squirrels can get stuck with their claws in such fabrics, eventually injuring themselves.
Step 4. Keep the baby squirrel warm
If you have found an injured puppy, you need to warm it up for it to survive. Wrap a hot water bottle or electric blanket with a flannel cloth or similar material. Put it in the cage or box where you keep the animal. Do not cover it with a fabric or keep it near an uncovered hot water bottle, otherwise it may overheat. If you use an electric blanket, make sure it doesn't go out by itself and put it half under the box.
Step 5. Give the squirrel toys and other items
Once he's settled in, let him have fun. The transition from nature to your home will be traumatic, so make sure the pet doesn't get bored.
- Small soft toys for children are ideal toys for squirrels. However, be sure to remove all plastic parts, such as eyes or nose, before giving them. Also check that the filling is natural. Squirrels can choke on beaded materials that are sometimes used to stuff stuffed toys.
- Hanging toys like baby music boxes or cat toys with feathers can also be fun for squirrels. If you intend to keep the animal until it is time to release it into the wild, consider installing a perch in the cage if it is already an adult. Squirrels love to climb. You can purchase a bird perch at pet stores.
Part 2 of 4: Caring for the Squirrel
Step 1. Feed the squirrel properly
You need to make sure he eats a healthy and balanced diet. It's not easy, because these animals don't usually live in captivity.
- Don't try to feed it yourself. Squirrel puppies need specific vitamins and minerals. They can die if they are fed milk or products that replace it. Take the foundling to the vet or shelter as soon as possible. Employees will know how to feed it properly. If you decide to bring him home with you, search the internet for information on what to feed him.
- There are specific feeds for squirrels, but they may be difficult to find at local pet stores, especially if it is illegal in your state to keep these rodents as pets. You may find the feeds on the internet, but they may only arrive after a few days. If you can't find a suitable food quickly, search the internet for recipes for making infant formula.
Step 2. Give the squirrel plenty of water
Put a bowl of water in its cage. These animals need to drink a lot to stay healthy. You can leave the water in a bowl or use a bottle, as you would for hamsters. If you decide to use a bottle, make sure it's glass, as some squirrels eat plastic.
To give a squirrel puppy a drink, make sure the bowl isn't too big. Don't risk her drowning inside. If you have no alternative, you can put rocks or marbles in the bowl until it is half full
Step 3. Check if the squirrel has any injuries or injuries
If you found it in the wild, it could be hurt. You should carefully evaluate his health and take him to a vet if necessary.
- Find a safe spot in the house with good lighting. Stay away from children and other pets. Wear heavy, protective gloves when handling a wild animal. You should also wear a long-sleeved coat. If it has never been touched by a human, it may bite or scratch you. Fortunately, squirrels are cleaner than many other animals. Rinse the wound and leave the animal alone.
- Keep a bowl of warm water and some clean towels handy. Notice signs of dry blood on the animal's face, nose and mouth. If you see parasites, such as fleas or ticks, remove them and kill them if they are still alive to prevent them from infecting other pets. To wash off the blood, wring out the rag well and gently wipe the squirrel's fur.
- Watch out for the squirrel's limbs. He may hold his paws at an unnatural angle or avoid moving them. Puppies have a particular tendency to get injured when falling from trees or the nest.
- If your squirrel is injured, contact a veterinarian or animal shelter IMMEDIATELY.
Step 4. Encourage physical activity
Squirrels need a lot of exercise. If you are going to keep the specimen you found for a while, you need to make sure that you are training your muscles.
- Allow the squirrel to explore a room in the house for at least an hour a day. Make sure you remove anything that can break and that you want to protect from damage. Let the animal run, climb and play.
- Do not leave the squirrel out of the cage when it is outdoors. Hawks and other predators are quicker than you and can eat the pup before you can react. In addition, the rodent may get scared and run away, never returning and will likely die because it cannot defend itself.
- If you plan to keep the squirrel for more than a week, install perches in its cage. As mentioned earlier, perches are useful for squirrels. In the box you will find instructions on how to install them.
Part 3 of 4: Seeking Help and Treatment
Step 1. Take the squirrel to a shelter as soon as possible
You shouldn't attempt to heal an injured animal on your own. If you have found an injured specimen, take it to the nearest shelter without hesitation.
Step 2. Get help from a vet if you can't take the squirrel to a shelter
If there is no shelter in your area, contact a veterinarian who will take care of the animal until it is recovered. Find a local veterinarian who is experienced in exotic animals and bring the squirrel to him for regular checkups. Start building the cage right away to release it into nature. On the internet you can find great advice on how to do this.
Step 3. Check if it is legal to own a squirrel in your state
Not all nations allow you to have a squirrel as a pet and in some cases it is not even possible to rescue them without authorization. In other cases, you may have the right to keep it indoors, but not to release it in the wild. Be sure to check all applicable laws in your jurisdiction.
Step 4. Consider the risks of keeping a wild squirrel as a pet
It is not recommended to keep these animals indoors, as they are not domesticated and do not do well in captivity. They often have a lot of energy and destructive behaviors when brought into the house. It is highly recommended that you take them to an animal shelter as soon as possible. Plus, they're also very expensive, so you'll have to spend A LOT of money on their well-being before you can release them.
Part 4 of 4: Releasing a Squirrel
Step 1. Seek advice from a shelter if possible
Releasing an injured animal into the wild requires a certain degree of experience. If there is a shelter in your area, it is best to contact them before attempting to treat the squirrel on your own. A phone call with a shelter employee may be enough to receive important information on how to safely release the animal.
Step 2. Place the cage outdoors
If you want to release the squirrel, you need to make sure you don't tame it too much. If he is injured, you should keep him caged in the house or garage until he recovers. However, when it seems healed, place the cage outside. In this way, he will not get too used to contact with the man. When he's fully recovered, you can develop a plan to release him.
- Place a tarp over the cage. This way it will be protected from rain and sun.
- Place it in a cage with a feed door if you are not already using it. You shouldn't risk releasing the squirrel prematurely and you should consider that it may escape when you feed it if the door is not suitable.
- Keep the cage where you can easily reach, but away from other people. If the squirrel gets too used to human contact, it will become difficult to free him.
Step 3. Reduce contact with the animal
You should always feed him, but try to interact less with him as time goes on. He recommends doing the same to all friends and neighbors who come into contact with the squirrel.
Step 4. Free the squirrel at least 8 kilometers from where you found it
If you have taken care of him, he may go home when you free him. These animals can be harmful, especially if they try to enter your home. When you decide to free the specimen, choose a spot at least 8 kilometers from where you initially found it. If possible, go even further, maybe 15 kilometers.
Step 5. Choose a safe place
It is important to free the squirrel in the right place. Consider the following:
- Research the animals found in the area. You should choose an area with few predators, such as domestic cats. Even if he is no longer injured, the squirrel may need a few days to get used to life in the wild again. This can make it vulnerable to predators.
- Make sure other wild squirrels live in the chosen area. Release the animal in its natural habitat.
- You shouldn't release the squirrel near a busy road, intersection, or highway.
- You should also check if it is legal to release a squirrel in the area you have chosen. In some states there are laws that restrict the release of animals in certain regions.
