Use your earsA displaced infant squirrel can cry for a considerable length of time if separated from its mother . Listen for a ,high pitched , birdlike sound- the babies may have been abandoned due to death of the mother. Try to note how long you have heard the sound and at what time of the day .If heard during the evening, chances are mother is dead or trapped and babies are cold and hungry.

 

Use your Eyes Any squirrel that you have seen that was attacked  by a predator should be rescued. Cat attack is a frequent cause of small mammal admission nationwide. Actual Cases  Cat fangs can puncture the thickest squirrel skin and introduce a deadly germ called pasteurella.  If not treated promptly with antibiotics most cat attack victims succumb to this germ. Even if the squirrel was brought in by the family cat, treatment would be  necessary.You can easily prevent this situation by keeping cat indoors.

 

KEEP CATS INDOORS !

 

                            

 

KEEP DOGS LEASHED !

 

Visit American Bird Conservancy  Cats Indoors to learn more about the actual statistics. TAKE CONTROL and prevent your pet from attacking wildlife. Keep cats indoors and don't allow dogs to free roam. Dogs are pack/hunting/herding animals that may instinctively seek out weakened or juvenile small mammals. Leash laws help reduce this occurrence but nonetheless we still admit many cases of dog attack squirrels .

 

MORE SENSE

 

USE YOUR EYES AGAIN If you find a dead adult squirrel near the base of a tree with a nest ,check to see if it is a nursing female (babies could be  in the nest) or at the side of a road ( babies could be nearby) or if you see baby squirrels close to a dead adult that would raise a red flag.

COMMON SENSE If you are aware that a female nursing mother has been HOMEd from an attic or other unnatural area, her  offspring will be abandoned and die of starvation .The litter will have to
be rescued in order to survive. If not rescued ,the  babies will die in
their nest from starvation and their remaining corpses will decay, 
producing offensive odor and bacteria. If you discover neonatal squirrels
 on the ground, meaning without fur, eye closed and cannot hear, these  vulnerable mammals should be offered back to mom, but with monitoring. These tiny creatures cannot regulate their body temperature properly and can become both hypo (cold) and hyper (hot) thermic very quickly- within less than an hour. Mother squirrels are excellent natural mothers and generally will not leave the nest and offspring for long. Generally something is wrong if you find neonates on the ground. Either inclement weather, a natural predator or tree trimming disrupted the nest. Allow mom a chance
to retrieve for at least a few hours. Watch from a distance where the mother squirrel can't see you. You may have to temporarily bring the  neonates indoors to warm( body temperature) and then place back out in a small ,warmly lined cardboard box -again to allow the mom another chance.Squirrels are daytime animals (diurnal) active during the day and
not active at night (nocturnal ).

KEEP CHILDREN, PETS AND UNNECESSARY NOISE AWAY

 

STRESS CAN KILL  Squirrels ,like most mammals
have well developed senses.
If you have been advised that the squirrel needs to be rescued
Contain it in a safe,warm ,dark, quiet, place.
A sealed cardboard box with air-holes preferably.
Resist the desire to touch or feed it.Wildlife view humans
as predators.An adult squirrel that seems "calm" is in fact
in shock, paralyzed with fear.

 

MORE  SENSE

DO NOT LEAVE INFANT SQUIRRELS OUT AT NIGHT Gray squirrels are diurnal creatures (daytime ) and Mom will not retrieve in the evening . Nocturnal predators such as  raccoon, cat, opossum ,owl ,fox, coyote,  can prey upon  them.

BRING UNCLAIMED INFANTS INDOORS and keep warm and quiet away from children and domestic pets.

Wrap babies in ravel -free cloth (t-shirt or flannel) placed in a small box. Set the box halfway on a heating pad set on low heat.  Monitor closely as neonatal squirrels cannot self regulate their body temperature-their skin should feel as warm not warmer-than ours . Furred infants may be weak and debilitated so providing supplemental heat is the first positive step. Although tempting, we ask that you not make any attempt to feed these tiny squirrels .Serious problems can occur when attempting to feed debilitated mammals such as aspiration pneumonia( life threatening), when squirrels incorrectly swallow a large volume of fluid forced through an improper feeding utensil. The fluid can be forced into the lungs and in a few days aspiration pneumonia will develop . In most cases the rehabilitator cannot reverse this condition. It is life theatening.If you are able to assist and keep their core temperature warm-this is the most critical step toward their recovery.Older eye open juveniles can be offered an apple slice to nibble on.

WE NEED HELP...WHERE IS MOM ?

 

RED FLAG -If a young eye open juvenile squirrel approaches you or makes  an attempt to climb your leg- this type of behavior warrants a strong reason to rescue. Young Wildlife raised by their natural mother are are wild and wary of all predators-including humans, under normal circumstances, young  squirrels do not seek humans out of curiosity  or naivety .  A young squirrel that approaches or follows you is one that is most likely separated from its mother and most likely has been without water and food for many days.Rescued squirrels that have exhibited this behavior are found in extremely dehydrated, hypothermic (cold), and emaciated (starved) condition.

Transporting injured adult squirrels      TRANSPORT