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If you find injured or
orphaned squirrels:
Call ETWRC for
instructions or read the information provided in this site.
If it is determined the animal needs
assistance, then: Pick up the animal gently with gloves on;
Place animal in a small box with soft
cloth on the bottom. Secure lid and create ventilation.
Place a heating pad set on "low" half
way UNDER the box, or a plastic bottle filled with hot water and
wrapped in a cloth IN the box;
Place the box in a quiet, dark room.
DO NOT give food or water.
Baby squirrels fall out of the nest for
various reasons. The first thing to do is to put the baby in a box up
off the ground, to keep domestic animals from being able to get it, and
leave it for 2 to 3 hours. If it is cold weather, heat up a water
bottle or bag of rice and place it in the box with baby. This will
assist in keeping him/her from getting Pneumonia. More times than not,
the mother will retrieve her baby. If the mother does not retrieve her
baby after 3 hours, please call ETWRC.
If you find a baby squirrel deposited
on your doorstep, compliments of your dog or cat, the baby needs to
be rescued. As with all small wildlife, wrap the baby up in soft towels
or and old t-shirt, put the baby in a box, and set the box halfway on a
heating pad set on low. You do not need to feed it; just contact ETWRC
as soon as possible. They will care for the baby until it can be
released back into the wild.
As fast as they are, dogs occasionally catch adult squirrels, with
disastrous consequences for the squirrel. Or they may survive being hit
by a car, but be unable to move due to a back injury. Injured adult
squirrels can be picked up by using thick gloves, scooping them up
in a towel, then carefully lay in a box. If the back is broken or the
squirrel is dragging both back legs, it needs to be taken to a
veterinarian for evaluation. The vet can then contact ETWRC for its
continued care.
It is very important to cover the box containing the squirrel, and keep
it in a quiet place until you can transport it to a licensed
rehabilitator or a veterinarian. It is very stressful for squirrels to
be in captivity. Transport them as quickly and quietly as possible for a
successful rescue. |