A few weeks ago we had an afternoon storm that blew a few tree limbs down and knocked over several of my large flower pots. I went outside afterwards to right the pots and water some things that didn't get rained on due to being knocked over from the wind. I squirtted the hose near some cactus plants and heard a high pitched squeak. I went over to investigate and found a tiny baby squirrel had fallen from a nest in a live oak tree. I checked it for injuries and left it where it was so the mother would come back and get him. Around dark the baby was still there and so was the nieghbor's old tom cat. I decided I better take the baby inside before he became dinner. We have lots of other predators around here besides the tomcat too.
So I get him inside and look up what to do with him on the internet. It said they need a special diet and cannot tolerate cow's milk. What to do? I came across an old news article that showed a baby squirrel nursing a momma cat and he did well. Hmmm well it just so happens that a month ago someone dropped off 2 pregnant cats in our nieghborhood that found thier way to our house ( we live outside of the city where people have horses, goats, etc so I guess people think this is the pet dumping grounds).
Anyhow, these things must happen for a reason...I gave the squirrel to one of the momma cats and watched very carefully to see if the mother would accept the squirrel. She started licking him right away and nursed him just like one of her kittens. She has treated him just like her babies for the last few weeks. Luckily, FL is one of the few states where it is legal to have a squirrel for a pet but I am hoping he can be released into the wild when he is older. Right now I am learning all I can to take care of him until then.
This pic was taken last week. He is much bigger now and has his eyes open now!
So I get him inside and look up what to do with him on the internet. It said they need a special diet and cannot tolerate cow's milk. What to do? I came across an old news article that showed a baby squirrel nursing a momma cat and he did well. Hmmm well it just so happens that a month ago someone dropped off 2 pregnant cats in our nieghborhood that found thier way to our house ( we live outside of the city where people have horses, goats, etc so I guess people think this is the pet dumping grounds).
Anyhow, these things must happen for a reason...I gave the squirrel to one of the momma cats and watched very carefully to see if the mother would accept the squirrel. She started licking him right away and nursed him just like one of her kittens. She has treated him just like her babies for the last few weeks. Luckily, FL is one of the few states where it is legal to have a squirrel for a pet but I am hoping he can be released into the wild when he is older. Right now I am learning all I can to take care of him until then.
This pic was taken last week. He is much bigger now and has his eyes open now!
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