08/14/2025
Posted by another rehabber
I’m going to voice my frustration for a minute after receiving numerous calls of people either rehabbing baby squirrels or giving Pedialyte/fluids.
Rehabbers are now on round two of baby season. We still have lots of spring babies in care waiting for upcoming release. And we have injured critters flooding our facilities just as steady as the newborn wildlife babies.
If this isn’t enough work on rehabbers let’s play “miracle worker” too.
80% of the baby squirrels we are getting in have been subjected to the finders good intentions. Over fed, underfed, fed improper formula, fed with incorrect feeding utensils, the list goes on. All these conditions can be fatal.
When they realize this is more work then intended then they decide to call for help.
That is not fair to the wildlife rehabber or the animal. That’s extra work, extra money (vets, meds) and extra tears when it’s so bad all we can offer is comfort for their last moments.
******If you find a baby squirrel: PLEASE DO NOT GIVE FOOD OR FLUIDS!!!!!!********
Anyone following any wildlife rescue page already knows this because all rehabbers post it almost daily.
We know motherly instincts kick in and you think this tiny poor baby needs hydrating or looks hungry, but PLEASE DON'T !!!!! Your good intentions could be fatal.
I say this all the time, “ if you’re being rolled into the hospital on a gurney, do they throw a steak dinner in your lap?” No they don’t so why do we think it’s okay to find a wildlife animal in need of help and shove food at them.
I don’t care what Google, your local pet store or even tractor supply says. Wildlife is not like puppies or kittens. We feed specific formula closest to their mothers milk. We use special feeding tools to prevent aspiration. We feed a specific amount of formula at a certain amount of times a day depending on their size, age and species. Baby wildlife animals should be a certain body temperature before attempting to feed.All animals are different and many factors take place before feeding or giving fluids.
Squirrels can easily ASPIRATE causing pneumonia and the wrong foods could cause serious digestive problems, both resulting in death.
If the baby is found uninjured near the nest / under a tree then the most important thing you can do is try to reunite the baby with its mother. A baby squirrel has the best chance of survival when it is cared for by its mother. Sometimes healthy young squirrels that are found on the ground are not orphans -- they simply need help being reunited with their mothers. Often, mother squirrels will "rescue" their fallen or displaced healthy babies by carrying them by the scruff back to the nest.
Yes we know there are cats, hawks and other possible predators in your area. That is going to be the case everywhere on earth even at the rehabbers facility. It’s not fair to kidnap a baby from its mother because you feel the area is not fit.
If the baby is in distress or injured then contain the baby, keep warm and please call your local licensed wildlife rehabilitator ASAP. They will direct you on how and whether to intervene. Timing could be everything for the babies survival so please do not wait.
If the rehabber does not rehab squirrels or not taking them in at the time, they will direct you to someone to help you.
Please do not turn the squirrel over to an unlicensed individual because they say they are experienced. In some states, Indiana, Virginia being a couple, it is illegal to rehabilitate wildlife without a permit. Rehabbers are trained to rehab specific species and they have the specific supplies needed to properly care for them.
These photos are babies unhealthy after incorrect feeding.
