Squirrelly Story and photos by Lynette Bowen, Webster Texas

Rosie, Sissy, Patticake…three pairs of curious and rambunctious eyes peer out at me from their cozy yet temporary hideaway nestled within Sandy McGavin's home in Webster, TX. One by one she gently pulls them out for a social visit, setting them on top of the quilt draped in nestled folds over the top of the wire mesh cage. There they skitter across the cage in bits and spurts, playful yet shy, their feathery tails twitching.

These are Sandy's squirrel babies, babies in need of an extra bit of human nurturing before they once again return to the freedom they were born to. Each one of them was found separately by someone and brought to the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition (TWRC) shelter in the Houston, Texas area where Sandy, a TWRC rehabilitator, took them into her home to raise until they could fend for themselves.

Each year, people around the country find scores of abandoned or injured animal babies…from squirrels to possums to raccoons to a variety of birds (see pg. 13 for guidelines on what to do if you find a wild animal in need of rescue). As wild animals, they require special and different care than domestic animals, a type of care that organizations like TWRC across the country provide. Because of the efforts of dedicated TWRC volunteers, each year scores of animals have a second chance at life.

Sandy shares her story with me as her little ones sit on the windowsill behind the cage. It overlooks a wooded area where they can listen to the chattering of their kin outside and practice their nut-cracking skills on acorns.

Sandy learned about TWRC through reading as well as a friend. After the recent loss of a kitty, she wanted to reestablish her animal connection, so she started volunteering at the TWRC shelter. Her first order of business was baby bird feeding; many volunteers are needed for bird feeding to fill the three-shift, seven-days-a-week task. It was there at the shelter that Sandy met who was to be her first squirrel mentor.

Rehabilitors start out by working with a mentor, who is an already licensed practitioner. After a period of time, when they learn all the ins and outs of rehabilitating a particular kind of animal, a person may become a licensed rehabilitator for that species.

Sandy is in her third year of volunteer work, and close to becoming an official squirrel rehabilitator. Her three squirrelly gals are evidence of her hard work.

"When they're little babies," Sandy tells me, "they're helpless and totally dependent. It's important to provide these innocent little guys protection, snuggles, and a clean cage. I love being a mommy to them."

There are three different types of squirrels that are found in the Houston area: fox, gray, and flying. Sandy has experience with both the fox and gray squirrels. The foxes, redder in color and larger than the grays, are shy, Sandy tells me. The grays, though smaller, are more gregarious. Of course, I realize during my visit that they're all shy until they get to know you.

By this time, at least one of Sandy's squirrels is brave enough to come close enough to take a look at me. Rosie also finally comes out from the windowsill, climbs to the top of the cage, and with Sandy close by, does a little flip. The last of the squirrels is nestled out of sight…snuggled in the front of Sandy's shirt.

"They feel safe with me," Sandy comments. Sandy, who has no children of her own, says that there's a lot of emotion involved in the experience. "It makes you realize that you have a lot of love…every set of squirrels that you take care of, you love each one of them. Each one has a unique personality."

Sandy takes in squirrels during the two times of the year squirrels have litters, the fall and spring. Rehabilitators also take in animals at differing stages of development depending on how much time they have to volunteer. Sandy, for example, takes in squirrels at the point that they no longer need night feedings; they still require feedings every couple of hours during the day. At first, she feeds them formula. At the time of my visit, the three adopted sisters are also getting nuts they are learning to crack, a vital skill to have mastered in order to be reintroduced into nature.

The proud mother Sandy is, she shows me her photo album filled with pictures of her "children." I see her previous litters of both gray and fox squirrels. This reminds me of the fact that all mothers face, that of their "children" leaving the nest. Sandy tells me that within a week or so, Rosie, Sissy, and Patticake will be moving to their next stage of rehabilitation, an outdoor cage. Another rehabilitator will take over at this point.

Sandy hopes to someday put together an outdoor setup for the older squirrel babies. But for now, goodbye for this trio lies close on the horizon. And if all works out well, Sandy will be able to witness their graduation…their release back into the wild. And she will know and always remember her wonderful part in it.