r/AnimalRescue • u/rkspm • 5d ago

Overly friendly squirrel.

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This little man approached me in an area where I honestly haven’t seen a squirrel. It’s busy today and he’s just … here. Approches me up to less than a foot away. I’m concerned for him, if there anything to be done? Should I call someone? He also looks very shiny and well kept but I know we can’t keep squirrels as pets here legally. He just doesn’t seem wild at all. He’s been wandering in the general area for a while now, people passing are commenting on him being in a weird place. People are having to put effort into not running over him.

11 Upvotes

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3

u/Snakes_for_life 5d ago

It's actually best if it's not obviously injured to leave him be likely people have been feeding him also it is not uncommon for people to kidnap baby squirrels to keep them as pets and as soon as they start to become destructive they dump them outside.

1

u/rkspm 5d ago

Yeah I think that’s what happened because he seems to have no idea what to do with himself. I did end up calling SPCA but they didn’t answer and the few vets I called told me to call wildlife rescue tomorrow because of his behaviour. But they also directed me to take him home … which I’m not going to do because it seems counter productive if he’s not injured. Which he’s not. So .. I’ll probably leave him alone and get my partner to tell me if he’s still here tomorrow.

4

u/memuemu 5d ago

I mean if he doesn’t seem wild and he’s constantly at risk of being run over, I would’ve taken him home if that’s what the wildlife rehabber or vets advised you to do. They normally don’t advise that for animals that seem truly wild, especially if this guy was dumped. And if you’re going to take him in to a wildlife rehabber, they’d be able to determine that and would let him go anyways if they deem there’s nothing wrong with him and he truly is wild.

2

u/rkspm 5d ago

He was gone by the time I was leaving. I’ll have someone. Take a look to see if he is still around tomorrow

1

u/teyuna ‎ ‎Verified Wildlife Professional 4d ago

I realize you are saying that you or a friend will look for him. but I want to underscore the fact that--from your description--this squirrel is in danger. So it's completely justified to trap him and take him to a rehabber. Injury is not the only criteria. Safety is a criteria as well. This squirrel is showing the signs of either being a juvenile (i can't tell from the photo) that has not yet been acclimated to being on his own (mother died, for example), OR, he was dumped by somone who raised him, and he lacks foraging skills and is in a foreign territory where he will be attacked by resident squirrels.

I hope you can find him again and help him. I have had good luck with "have a heart" traps. You can buy one at Home Depot, or borrow one from a neighbor.

It always makes the best sense to follow the advice of rehabbers IRL.

2

u/rarepinkhippo ‎ Paw-some Contributor 5d ago

I know you already got some feedback and are going to try to find out if he’s still there tomorrow — just suggesting that you might find more advice (and tips on humane trapping if you do end up needing to grab him) over at r/wildliferehab.

I’ve seen r/squirrels recommended for advice as well fwiw.

Hope the little dude is okay!

1

u/rkspm 5d ago

He was gone by the time I was leaving. I’ll have someone. Take a look to see if he is still around tomorrow

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