Hurricane Ike's orphaned Squirrels

I promised I'd do it again and send another newsletter if lives can be saved, and I am a woman of my word!

Due to Hurricane Ike I have been swamped with Emails and phonecalls from so many caring people down in Houston and surroundings, it is unbelievable. Most of them don't have power nor supplies to take care of themselves, but that did not stop them from caring about the helpless critters.

I was able to contact the Humane Society of America and the Houston SPCA to get some emergency contact numbers for these people to take the infant squirrels to. So far I got note that over 50 squirrels have been successfully turned over and not a single had one died.

Then I just received a newsletter from the IWRC (International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council). They are calling on wildlife rehabilitators to accept transfers, because just one single rescue place in Houston received 730 infant squirrels!! There are probably thousands!

I could accept 30 or more squirrels here at the Rainbow Wildlife Rescue but I have no way of confining them and I probably do not enough time as a single person to feed them all.

I already offered to take in 10 squirrels, no matter what, we'll manage, but I would like to offer room for more. ! What I n eed for that is ouside cages.

1. A chain link dog kennel to house the raccoon juvenile that needs to stay here over the winter and is taking up the only outside enclosure I have. It would need a cover, but I'm sure something can be worked out for that.
2. Outside aviaries; sturdy greenhouses; or tall covered chicken coups will do as well. Anything that either keeps a coon or a squirrel in and cats out.
3. A storage or garden shed with windows would also be a possibility.
4. I would need at least $400 to either buy the supplies to build a cage or purchase an already pre-assembled  cage/enclosure.
5. OR whatever else you come up with, I'm open to suggestions, ideas and advice!
   

All of this has to happen fast, because I can't imagine they are having a lot of time down there. I do not yet know how or when they are planning to transfer the squirrels.

In addition, I probably need local people to come here and help me feed those critters, especially if they are infants. So if you are interested in learning more about squirrels, this is your chance.

You can donate for the cause by going to http://www.rainbowwildlife.com/donations.html or EMAIL me at help@rainbowwildlife.com if you want to help in any other way.

Thank you!

Birgit Sommer
Licensed Wildlife Re! habilita tor, Texas
Rainbow Wildlife Rescue, Stephenville, Erath County

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