Squirrels

Babies and Juveniles:

• Pick up the baby with a soft cloth.
• Put the squirrel in a closed escape-proof container such as a pet kennel or aquarium with a soft ravel-free cloth (no strings), and cover the container loosely with a towel.
• Put the container half on and half off a towel-covered heating pad set on low.
• Monitor it so the animal is warm to the touch, but not hot.
• Keep the container in a quiet area, away from children and pets.
• Do not attempt to feed any type of formula or solid foods. Baby squirrels aspirate very easily, and it’s best to leave feeding to a qualified caretaker. If the animal is dehydrated or it will be more than 2 or 3 hours before you can get the baby to a rehabilitator, you may put a few drops of water or pedialyte on its lips with an eye dropper and see if it will lap it up. It is best to get advice from a rehabilitator before doing this.

Adult squirrels:

• If the squirrel is alert, do not attempt to handle it.
• Cover it with a cardboard box with air holes where it is lying (or gently nudge it out of harm's way with the end of a broom). Weight the box down with a rock or something heavy. Call a rehabilitator.
• If the squirrel is not very alert or cannot move, you may attempt to nudge it into a box, bucket or carrier with the end of a broom, piece of cardboard or other similar object. Do not handle with your bare hands! Cover the container snugly (make sure there are airholes) and bring to a rehabilitator.
• Do not attempt to rehabilitate an adult squirrel for any reason. If it will be a few hours or overnight until you can get the squirrel to a rehabilitator, set the container half-on, half-off a towel-covered heating pad set on low, in a quiet area away from children and pets.
• Do not put food or water into the container. If the squirrel is in shock or has other issues, the food and water could cause more harm than good.

Call the Project Wildlife Hotline 619-225-9202 to get more information.

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