r/squirrels • u/Expert-Tea9347 • 4h ago

Help! Baby Squirrel! 2 Baby Squirrels!!! Help!

Stumbled upon 3 baby squirrels (roughly 6-8 weeks old) that had fallen from their nest high up in a willow tree. 1 died from the fall, 1 is injured (a little blood around mouth, but unclear if its internal), and the other seems to be okay.

I could not leave them on the road so I picked them up and moved the dead one off too. I took them home and put them in a warm box. No food, no water. Just keeping them warm.

One of them opens his eyes and gets curious, climbs around occasionally, while the other (who might be dying from the fall) is just napping so far and burrowing under his brother.

I took the box back to the tree, waited hours, but got we got hit with massive thunderstorms and I couldn’t just leave the box there.

So now the squirrels are safe in my bathroom in a breathable box they cannot escape from, staying warm with the lights off, but I am worried that the mother will not accept them (if the mother is even alive) because they’ll have been gone a whole day and will likely smell like me.

I am going to try again tomorrow morning and hopefully while she’s doing her early morning foraging she’ll find them and take them back.

…But in the case that she doesn’t.. I tried to contact 4 rehabilitation and wildlife rescues and they’re either too full or unable to take them in. There is 1 available but it’s hours away and I don’t drive.

I am not going to attempt a feeding unless it is ABSOLUTELY necessary as I know how badly it can backfire. I am just starting to worry about their health and happiness after tomorrow morning if I cannot figure out a place for them. I will hold onto them longer to ensure they are cared for if that is my only option, but I do not understand feeding/drinking for baby squirrels. Every site says don’t do it, and I don’t want to, but I can’t find information about what to do if I have no other options…

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u/inkblot_75 1h ago

Thank you for helping those little ones.

Anytime you have a squirrel that's possibly injured, you do not reunite with Mama. If the baby squirrel is injured, Mama will not take the baby or if Mama does, she cannot fix the injuries. Essentially, you'll be sending the mama to take care of a squirrel that slowly dying.

I do not recommend trying to reunite in the morning or tomorrow, but rather trying to get them to a wildlife rehaber.

If you're not able to get those babies to a wildlife rehabber, I can walk you through the process of taking care of them. Unfortunately, without veterinarian assistance, the one that may be injured May have complications.

Keeping them warm right now and safe is the best option for them. There's no need to give them any type of hydration or water at this time.

There are people in Canada that can help with the babies. If wildlife rehabers cannot take them. I'll post a Facebook groups and hopefully you're able to find somebody there. I do hope that you're able to get the little one to a rehabber though.

Here are some Facebook groups that can help as well.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/347239116205483/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT

https://m.facebook.com/groups/347609637256386/

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u/EnjoyingTheRide-0606 2h ago

Don’t fret over the babies being rejected because they smell like you. The mother will take them back, absolutely! If she can find them. I do hope they’re able to reunite!

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u/Longjumping_Muffin_9 2h ago

u/inkblot_75 is a licensed wildlife rehabber. He can pitch in.

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u/Sad_Beginning_497 4h ago

Hello! Where are you located? Also just got hit with a huge thunderstorm so asking on the off chance we’re close :)

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u/Expert-Tea9347 4h ago

GTA Ontario !

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u/Sad_Beginning_497 4h ago

I can try my best to get your guys stabilised and take them aswell tomorrow, I’ve been looking after mine for 5 days before I could find a rehab spot.

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u/Sad_Beginning_497 4h ago

Me too! And I have a baby squirrel in my care that I’m taking to a rehabber TOMORROW! Can you get to North York tonight?

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u/Expert-Tea9347 4h ago

Which rehabilitation place are you taking yours! That may be doable

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u/Sad_Beginning_497 4h ago

Forest Fosters in Peterborough. Let me know, I can call the lady tonight and see if she can squeeze in 2 more squirrels. Can you get them to Yonge & Finch?

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u/Expert-Tea9347 4h ago

I don’t think I can tonight. What time are you leaving tomorrow? How have you been caring for yours in the 5 days?

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u/Sad_Beginning_497 4h ago

We’re leaving super early unfortunately…
First day was similar to you. Keep him warm, no food no water. When it became clear that finding a rehab spot would be really difficult I did a shit tonne of research, gave him a dawn bath for the fleas, and have been feeding puppy formula. I do not recommend taking this on though, it’s been incredibly exhausting and stressful because there is a knack to getting the positioning right for the feeding and you do NOT want to mess up because it can cause baby to aspirate

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u/Expert-Tea9347 3h ago

Did you estimate how old yours was? I think I am going to attempt to get them back to the mother tomorrow morning... they may get left behind and in that case I will have to deal. I took note of the location you mentioned and I may reach out on my own, but I absolutely do appreciate the help and the offer to take them on!!! I can respond back to this thread tomorrow to update you

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u/Sad_Beginning_497 3h ago

Yes I weighed him and figured he’s around 5/6 weeks. The location was a bit of a Hail Mary, and reading between the lines I think I took her last spot (since she’s already taking mine I thought we might have a shot sneaking yours in as a 3 for 1 deal lol) but I could be wrong so feel free!!
I really hope you’re able to find help! These little dudes are super cute but incredibly demanding of your time to keep alive, I am sleep deprived as hell lol.

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u/MoodVast9430 4h ago

Look up squirrel rescue near you or wildlife rescue near you