Squirrels that live in the wild are usually injured. Baby squirrels tend to be injured more often than adult squirrels. If you're caring for a wild squirrel, you'll want to make sure the squirrel gets good food, shelter, and medical care. Try to send the squirrel to a wildlife rescue organization as soon as possible. You should not keep wild squirrels as they don't thrive in cages. In addition, some areas forbid you to keep squirrels. Learn the rules regarding squirrel ownership in your area before caring for a squirrel.
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Method 1 of 4: Preparing the Environment for Squirrels
Step 1. Learn the rules regarding squirrel ownership in your area first
The laws governing the ownership of wild animals vary by region. Before you start, make sure your area allows residents to create a squirrel environment.
- For example, the red squirrel is a protected species in the UK. However, caring for injured gray squirrels is against the law as they are considered pests. Therefore, if someone comes across a injured gray squirrel in the UK, he or she is obliged to exterminate the squirrel.
- In some states in the United States, you can care for wild animals if you have a permit. You may need to contact the United States Department of Fisheries and Wildlife first.
- Contact your nearest animal control center to see if your area allows residents to care for wild squirrels.
Step 2. Create a shelter for your squirrel
If you find a wild, injured squirrel out in the open, provide him with suitable shelter. However, make sure the area where you live allows people to care for wild squirrels. Wild squirrels generally do not have rabies, but any warm-blooded animal has the possibility of contracting it. If you are bitten, immediately clean the bite wound with clean water and consult a doctor. The squirrel will die when examined. If you don't have a cage, there are several other options to choose from.
- Generally, wild squirrels injured in the wild are still babies. Baby squirrels usually fall from their nests or are separated from their mothers. Baby squirrels can be placed in small boxes, such as shoe boxes. Shoe boxes should be placed outdoors, safe from predators, and uncovered. By doing this, the mother squirrel can easily find her cubs and bring them back into the wild. However, if the shoebox cannot be stored outdoors, you can also place it in a garage or closed room.
- If you're going to be caring for a squirrel for an extended period of time because animal rescue organizations can't accommodate it, you're going to need a lot of time and money. First of all, you need a suitable cage. Adult squirrels need a cage large enough for them to move around and play freely. Baby squirrels need a small cage so they can't climb over or hurt themselves. You can use a cat cage or pet bag to hold the baby squirrel. If the cage is made of plastic, squirrels can gnaw on it easily. An old bird cage about 30 cm high can be used by adult squirrels for a while. You can also buy animal cages of various sizes and shapes at your nearest pet store. Use a cage with bars that are tight and small.
Step 3. Provide a nest box and bedding
Once you've found a suitable cage, you'll need to provide a nest and bedding. This can help warm the squirrel and keep it comfortable. In addition, nest boxes can also resemble the squirrel's natural habitat.
- Squirrels usually build nests for their own sleep. Do not use a nest made of cardboard, as this can dry out the squirrel's skin and mucous membranes. Most pet stores sell bird's nest boxes at affordable prices. This nest box can help keep the squirrel warm and safe.
- Squirrels need adequate bedding and upholstery to stay warm. However, make sure the materials used are not arbitrary. Use old clothes, such as cotton or fleece T-shirts. Avoid Terry towels or cloths. Squirrel nails can get caught in the fabric, causing injury.
Step 4. Keep the baby squirrel warm
If you find a baby squirrel that is injured, it must stay warm to survive. Wrap a warm water bottle or heating pad using flannel or a similar material. Place the warmer in a baby squirrel box or cage. Do not wrap squirrels in cloth and place uncovered water in boxes or cages. This can cause the squirrel to overheat. When using a heating pad, make sure it doesn't turn off automatically. Place half of the heating pad under the box.
Step 5. Provide toys and other equipment
Once the squirrel has started to adapt to its new habitat, provide toys and other equipment for entertainment. Moving from the wild to human homes can be stressful for squirrels. Therefore, make sure the squirrel gets enough entertainment.
- Small dolls for children are perfect for use as squirrel toys. Make sure the plastic parts of the toy, such as the eyes and nose, are removed before the squirrel plays with it. Make sure the squirrel plays with a doll that uses a natural filling. Squirrels can swallow and choke on beads used as stuffing for dolls.
- Hanging toys, such as cat toys with fur on the ends, can be fun entertainment for squirrels. If you will be caring for an adult squirrel until it is ready to be released, consider installing a perch in its cage. Squirrels love to climb. You can buy bird perches at your nearest pet store and place them in a squirrel cage.
Method 2 of 4: Taking Care of Squirrels
Step 1. Give the squirrel a nutritious meal
Make sure the squirrel gets a healthy and balanced diet. Since squirrels are not pets, choosing the right food is a fairly complicated process.
- Avoid feeding baby squirrels yourself. Baby squirrels need specific vitamins and minerals. Baby squirrels can die if they consume formula or milk. Get the baby squirrel to the vet or animal rescue organization as soon as possible. A veterinarian or an animal rescue organization employee can properly feed baby squirrels. Once the baby squirrel is back in your home, learn how to care for a baby squirrel by visiting TheSquirrelBoard.com website.
- Some companies make feeds that are specially formulated for squirrels. However, this feed is quite difficult to find. Your local pet store may sell squirrel feed. Some areas do not allow you to keep squirrels. Squirrel feed can be purchased online, but you may have to wait a few days. If you can't buy squirrel feed right away, TheSquirrelBoard.com website has a temporary recipe for squirrel formulas.
Step 2. Provide enough drinking water
Place a cup of water in the squirrel cage. Squirrels need adequate water intake to stay healthy. You can place a water container or bottle, such as a hamster water bottle, into the cage. When using a drinking bottle, make sure the bottle is made of glass. Some squirrels can gnaw on plastic bottles.
When giving a baby squirrel a drink, make sure the container is not too big. If the container is too large, the baby squirrel may drown. You can place stones or marbles in a container of water. Fill the container with water up to half the height of the marbles to prevent the squirrels from drowning
Step 3. Check for cuts on the squirrel
When you encounter a squirrel in the wild, the squirrel may get hurt. Check the squirrel's condition carefully. If the squirrel is injured, immediately take the squirrel to the veterinarian.
- Find a room in your home that is safe and well lit. Keep squirrels away from children or pets. Wear thick gloves when handling wild animals. In addition, you should also wear long-sleeved clothes. If the squirrel has never been touched by a human, it may bite or scratch you. Squirrels have a cleaner body than most animals. If bitten or scratched by a squirrel, wash the wound immediately.
- Prepare a basin of warm water and a few rags. Check the squirrel's face, nose, and mouth to make sure there is no dried blood. If you find a parasite, such as a tick or tick, pick it up and kill it immediately. Parasites must be killed so as not to infect pets living in your home. When going to wash the blood on the squirrel, wring out the cloth and then rub it gently on the squirrel's hair.
- Pay attention to the squirrel's limbs. The squirrel's legs may be bent or lethargic. Baby squirrels are more likely to be injured by falling from trees or nests.
- If a squirrel is injured, contact an animal rescue organization or veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.
Step 4. Let the squirrel exercise
Squirrels need adequate exercise. If you're going to be caring for your squirrel for a long time, make sure the squirrel has enough time to train its muscles.
- Allow the squirrel to roam in one room of your house for an hour each day. Make sure you have removed valuable or perishable items from the room. Let the squirrels roam, climb, and play in the room.
- Do not let the squirrel roam outside the house and not in its cage. Eagles and other predators are more agile than you and can eat baby squirrels quickly. Also, the baby squirrel may get scared and run away. Baby squirrels that run away may die because they cannot survive on their own.
- If you will be caring for your squirrel for more than a week, provide a perch in its cage. Bird perches are good enough for squirrels. When you buy a perch, you'll get instructions for setting it up.
Method 3 of 4: Seeking Help Caring for Squirrels
Step 1. Immediately take the squirrel to an animal rescue organization
Avoid treating injured squirrels yourself. When rescuing a squirrel that is injured or neglected by its mother, seek out the nearest animal rescue organization. Get the squirrel to the organization as soon as possible.
Step 2. Take the squirrel to the vet if it cannot be taken to an animal rescue organization
If there are no animal rescue organizations near you, find the nearest vet to treat the squirrel. Find an exotic veterinary clinic near you and have your squirrels checked regularly. Immediately build a cage to release the squirrel. You can read a dedicated guide on TheSquirrelBoard.com site.
Step 3. Know the laws governing squirrel ownership in your area
Not all areas allow you to keep or care for a squirrel if you don't have a permit. Some areas may allow squirrels to be kept. However, the area may have laws that prohibit you from taking squirrels from the wild. You may also need to be licensed to keep squirrels in some areas. Make sure you visit your local government website to learn about the laws governing squirrel ownership.
Step 4. Understand the risks of keeping wild squirrels
You should not keep wild squirrels. Squirrels are not tame animals and cannot thrive when they live in a cage. Wild squirrels have a lot of energy and can damage things in your home if kept. Some experts strongly recommend that you take your squirrel to an animal rescue organization as soon as possible. Squirrels are also very expensive to maintain. You must prepare sufficient funds before releasing the squirrel into the wild.
Method 4 of 4: Freeing the Squirrel
Step 1. Contact an animal rescue organization whenever possible
Freeing injured wild animals into the wild requires special skills. If there are animal rescue organizations in your area, contact them before treating a squirrel. By contacting an animal rescue organization employee, you will get information on how to safely release squirrels into the wild.
Step 2. Place the squirrel cage outdoors
If you are releasing a wild squirrel into its habitat, make sure the squirrel is not overly tamed. If the squirrel is injured, place the cage in the house or garage until the squirrel recovers. However, once the squirrel begins to improve, immediately place the cage outside of the house. By doing this, the squirrel will have less contact with humans. Once the squirrel is completely healed, make a plan to release it into the wild.
- Cover the squirrel cage with a tarp. Tarpaulins can help protect squirrels from rain and sunlight.
- You should transfer the squirrel to a cage that has a special door for feeding. You don't want to accidentally free a squirrel. Squirrels may run away while eating if there is no special feeding door in their cage.
- Place the squirrel cage in an easily accessible area. However, keep the cage away from other family members. If the squirrel has too much contact with humans, it may be difficult to release into the wild.
Step 3. Don't have too much contact with the squirrel
You have to feed the squirrel. However, reduce contact with the squirrel over time. Do not interact with the squirrel too often. If you live with friends or relatives, make sure they don't interact with the squirrels.
Step 4. Release the squirrel in an area 8 km away from where it was found
If cared for by humans, the squirrel may return to its rescue home after being released into the wild. Squirrels are pests, especially if they try to get into the house. When going to free the squirrel, choose a location 8 km away from where it was found. The further away the squirrel is released, the harder it will be to return to your home. If you can free the squirrel 15 km from your house, do it.
Step 5. Choose a safe location
The location where the squirrel will be released is important. You should consider a few things before releasing a squirrel into the wild.
- Know what animals live in the area where the squirrels will be released. Choose an area with a low population of predators, such as cats. Even if the wound has healed, the squirrel needs time to adapt to the wild. When adapting, squirrels are very vulnerable to predators.
- Make sure there are other squirrels in the area. Squirrels must be released in their natural habitat.
- Do not release squirrels near highways, red lights, or expressways.
- Be aware of the laws governing squirrel release in the area. Some areas may prohibit you from releasing wild animals in certain areas.
