The Right Move is Not Always Clear
Squirrel
Care & Rescue
Before deciding how to help, identify the squirrel’s developmental stage. This determines whether intervention is appropriate and what care is needed.
Eyes and ears closed. Skin appears pink, no visible fur. Lighter than a bar of soap.
Needs rehabberEyes/ears still closed or just opening. Smooth flat tail, fur coming in. Gray or pink tone.
Needs rehabberEyes open. Bottle-brush tail 6+ inches. Body length roughly matches tail.
Assess contextFully furred, bushy tail, alert and mobile. Independent at 10–12 weeks.
Usually leave⚠️ Do Not Intervene — Independent Juveniles
Squirrels are fully independent at 10–12 weeks of age. A juvenile with an open, bushy tail that is not visibly injured and not approaching humans or pets does not need rescuing. Observe from a distance before intervening.
🚫 Never Give Food or Water to an Injured or Cold Animal
An animal in shock cannot digest food or water. Aspiration is fatal. Provide warmth first using an uncooked rice sock (heated 20 seconds, warm to cheek). Do not attempt to feed until the animal is stable and warm.
🏥 Immediately Send to Rehabber If:
- Visibly injured — bleeding, broken limbs, open wounds
- Has been in a cat or dog’s mouth (invisible punctures are fatal)
- Eyes are closed and it is cold
- Seized, circling, or paralyzed
- Covered in fly eggs or maggots
🌡️ Warmth First — Always
- Fill a sock with uncooked white rice
- Microwave 20 seconds; test warmth against your cheek
- Place in bottom of a box under a cloth — animal goes on top
- Re-heat every 30–45 minutes
- Keep in a dark, quiet, warm location
📦 Housing While Waiting for Transfer
Place in a cardboard box or carrier with air holes. Line with a soft cloth (no terry loops — toes get caught). Keep covered and quiet — minimize handling. Do not attempt to keep as a pet; squirrels are wild animals.
🤚 Handling Safety
Always wear thick gloves when handling squirrels. Even small squirrels can bite through thin gloves. Wash hands thoroughly after any contact. If bitten, report to your coordinator and seek medical advice.
Use this tool to walk through the assessment process step by step. Answer each question to get a recommended course of action. This mirrors the A.E.R.O. / NWRA assessment flowchart — adapted for volunteer use.
Look for: bleeding, broken or dangling limbs, open wounds, fly eggs, seizures, circling, or inability to move. Even a single puncture from a cat requires immediate veterinary care — cat saliva carries bacteria fatal to squirrels within hours.
🏥 Send to Rehabber / Vet Immediately
Contact the closest WRL-permitted rehabber. If eyes are closed, send regardless — do not wait. Keep the animal warm (rice sock) and dark during transport. Do not give food or water.
A.E.R.O. Intake Line: aeroanimalrescue.org
Wildlife Rehabber Finder: wildlifecenter.org
Check the stage chart above. Eyes open? Tail bushy and 6+ inches? Fur fully grown? These indicate an older juvenile or adult. Pink skin with closed eyes = pinky. Flat tail with eyes closed/opening = toddler.
Mother squirrels will retrieve fallen babies if given the chance — but only if the baby is warm. Place the warmed baby (rice sock underneath) in a small open box attached to the tree where it was found. Observe from a distance for 2 hours during daylight. If mom doesn’t return, contact a rehabber.
A healthy juvenile squirrel should be wary of humans. If it is actively following people, approaching pets, or unable to flee, this indicates it is orphaned, ill, or in distress. A scared juvenile that runs away when you approach is likely fine.
🌳 Attempt Re-Nesting
1. Warm the baby with a rice sock (20 sec microwave, warm to cheek). Do not feed or give water.
2. Place in an open cardboard box lined with a soft cloth. Attach the box to the trunk of the tree where the squirrel was found, or the nearest large tree.
3. Observe quietly from a distance for up to 2 hours during daylight hours.
4. If mom retrieves the baby — great! If not after 2 hours, contact a rehabber.
Re-nesting guide: aeroanimalrescue.org
If approaching but not in immediate danger, try loud noises or clapping to discourage it from following. If it persists, or if it is in danger, intervention is needed.
🌿 Return to Nest or Leave It
If you can see the nest, carefully place the squirrel back. If you cannot see the nest, place it on the closest tree trunk and allow it to climb up — juveniles with open eyes can often find their way. If it stays on the ground and seems unable to climb or is lethargic, contact a rehabber.
Squirrels are independent at 10–12 weeks. A healthy adult squirrel that is alert, mobile, and wary of humans does not need intervention. Circling, head tilt, seizure, or inability to flee are red flags.
📢 Discourage & Monitor
Try to discourage the squirrel by making loud noises, clapping, or moving toward it when it approaches. Do not feed it. Monitor for 30–60 minutes — if it continues to approach or seems unable to fend for itself, contact a rehabber. A healthy juvenile should eventually move off on its own.
🚫 Do Not Intervene
This squirrel does not need your help. Squirrels are independent at 10–12 weeks — even those that look small. Move it to a safer spot only if it is in immediate physical danger (e.g., roadway). Otherwise, observe and let it go about its day.
| What You See | Stage | Eyes | Recommended Action | Urgency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pink skin, no fur, tiny | Pinky | Closed | Warm + re-nest; rehabber if mom doesn’t return in 2 hrs | High |
| Fur coming in, flat tail | Toddler | Closed/opening | Warm + re-nest; rehabber if no mom in 2 hrs | High |
| Fully furred, small bushy tail, eyes open | Juvenile | Open | Assess behavior — re-nest or monitor | Medium |
| Full-sized, bushy tail, alert | Adult | Open | Do not intervene unless injured or abnormal behavior | Low |
| Any age — in cat/dog mouth | Any | Any | Immediate rehabber/vet — punctures = fatal without antibiotics | Urgent |
| Any age — injured, seizing, circling | Any | Any | Warm + immediate rehabber transport | Urgent |
| Juvenile following/approaching humans | Juvenile | Open | Discourage; if persistent → contact rehabber | Medium |
✅ Remember: When in Doubt, Call First
If you are unsure whether a squirrel needs help, contact A.E.R.O.’s intake line before intervening. Unnecessary handling stresses the animal and can cause harm. A quick call takes 2 minutes and could save a life — or save you a trip.
Follow the steps below for help in deciding what to do next for a squirrel
