My orphan squirrel Cindy was taken from me today by the Virginia Game Commission. I made the mistake of talking to the Wildlife Rehab Alliance to find out how to treat Cindy for a medical condition. I didn’t give them my name but apparently they traced our phone number and came to the house this afternoon and took her away and gave us a summons for having wildlife in our care.
I’m heartbroken and keep seeing her little face looking up at me as I was taking her to their car! My tears will not quit falling and Eddie is so mad I was afraid he was going to get in trouble because he let them know in no uncertain terms how he felt!!
It’s going to be a rough few days to pull myself together of this! It’s going to be tough getting her little cabin, toys, feed and play area off the back porch!!
Cindy taking her bottle.
Cindy in her new home. We found a hollow tree and cut it short, filled it with flannel pieces of cloth and this is where she hides when strangers come to visit or she just doesn’t want to be bothered.
Her sewing basket is in the bottom section of the bird cage and she hoards nuts and dried fruit in it.
She’s always smelling my hands to make sure I haven’t held someone else. I always wash my hands good with Dove soap before handling and this is the scent she knows is Mom!
Loves that bottle of warm milk.
Her “lookout” pose!
She likes being wrapped up in a wash cloth after eating. This is usually when I bathe her.
She likes scampering around in the living room floor usually chasing after Sassy.
I would like to know what kind of whacko person it takes to go tracing a phone call in order to remove a baby squirrel from a caregiver. It infuriates me. Here in Norfolk we have to deal with PETA pretending they are for animal rights, which apparently means that they feel its okay to go and steal dogs from peoples porches and euthanize them, because they do not believe people should have pets. Sounds like the this “Alliance” has a similar philosophy. I am so sorry this happened to you Rita.
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This is absolutely ridiculous! It’s ok to kill a squirrel and eat it but you can’t save a squirrels life and feed it. Eddie was right for giving them a piece of his mind and I hope they stepped in shit on their way out! Jerks. Rita it takes a special person to take care of an infant animal and you did an amazing job! Don’t let them steal your joy. Love ya!
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Oh! Goodness! What a huge mess our government is when you can’t even save the life of a small wee creature…and keep it until it’s old enough to be turned loose. Geez, I’m so sorry!
Linda
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Oh dear Lord, what next with this gov. Dearest Rita, never ever go to any gov. entity for anything. They will steal, lie, cheat you and charge your money for the doin’ of it. Keep it to yourselves next time around. I raised a bear cub years ago, and it became a pet. Had her for 14 years and she died, they never knew a thing about it. Darlin’ remember …never tell a soul. God bless.
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I’ll never contact them again and nor will my vet. We tried to get them to the farm during deer season and before for poachers killing deer and leaving them but no one showed up. Our neighbors contacted them for the same thing with no results. It’s ridiculous!! I miss the little bugger and can still picture her little face looking at me when I had to hand her over to them.
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Rita so sorry…the VA Game Commission needs to be reprimanded for giving law abiding citizens trouble. That squirrel would have died without the care you provided.You ought to write the Governor I think changes need to be made.
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I agree! We tried to get them to the farm during deer season and before for poachers killing deer and leaving them but no one showed up. Our neighbors contacted them for the same thing with no results. It’s ridiculous!! I miss the little bugger and can still picture her little face looking at me when I had to hand her over to them.
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Little Cindy, I’m so sorry Rita! Like everyone else, really a squirrel! Cindy would not be here if you hadn’t taken care of her. and to be given a summons! Do they need the money that bad! Pathetic! Don’t they have anything better to do? Ok, I’m done. Huge hugs from me.
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Sorry Rita ,that’s the government for you! They can,t let any thing alone
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Rita, I am so sorry. Seriously, I agree with everyone else. One would think there would be more pressing issues to deal with than a baby squirrel. The government has gotten way out of hand when they take a baby squirrel from someone and fine them for caring for it. I’m praying for you and your sweetie. I know you’re heartbroken and I am so sorry. Love you girl!
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OH no Rita! How awful. Really, seriously, fined for taking care of an orphan squirrel. They really didn’t have anything more pressing to do with their time than go to the trouble of tracing your and reporting it to the Game Commission! You saved that little squirrels life and they should have been thanking you. {{{{{Hugs}}}}}
Ginny B
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Oh no! That is so awful! The poor little thing would have DIED without you! This is an excellent example of government overstepping their bounds, because seriously, who got hurt here? I am so sorry.
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That seems to be over excessively harsh and to be FINED????
Here as far as I know native animals such as possums,
kangaroos, emus which are orphaned can be taken care of
by people – as kids we had all three at times and when they were
old enough they were released back into the wild.
Sometimes these wildlife advocates live in “ga ga” land and after all
you live on a farm and see these animals every bloody day.
Nah – I really feel so sorry for you and know how you feel.
Cheers
Your Aussie mate
Colin
PS: The technician came and fixed my problems – 40 day warranty also. My temper has subsided. Why the delays and problems will remain in the “Temples of Stupidity and Obtuseness”.
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Awww, Rita, I’m so sorry 😥 I know how lovingly you cared for her. And seriously, a SQUIRREL? It’s not like you were harboring a Bengal tiger!
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