If you plan on cutting trees between February and March or August to October, please check the tree for squirrels' nests.  They are large messy-looking masses of sticks and leaves and easy to identify.  Baby squirrels stay in the nest for the first twelve weeks of life, so please wait to remove the tree after they have left the nest.

If You Have Found an Injured Adult Squirrel

If you have found an injured adult squirrel, gently pick up the animal in a towel, jacket or something similar.  If possible, wearing leather gloves is also recommended.  Most animals, even babies, may bite when scared.  Please place the animal in a box slightly larger than the animal itself, create air holes and secure the box opening with tape.

You may offer a shallow dish of water (a small jar lid works well).
Do not attempt to feed it, as wildlife requires specialized foods. 
Keep the animal in a dark, quiet location away from pets and children until the animal can be transported.

The sooner the injured animal gets the medical attention it needs, the better are its chances for survival.  Time is everything.  Bring it immediately to Carolina Wildlife Care or to a professional wildlife rehabilitator in your area.

If You Have Found A Baby Squirrel or Nest

If a baby squirrel has fallen from its nest, place the squirrel in a box lined with cloth and place at the base of the tree from which it fell, or use a hanging basket and hang it as high as possible.

If a baby squirrel is not warm but healthy, it must warmed before trying to reunite it or mom will not take it back as she may think it is sick or dying.  Warm the baby by placing it in a lined box on a heating pad set on low.  A latex glove filled with warm water, or a sock filled with warmed dry beans can be placed near the baby to keep it warm when placed back outside.  The glove or sock can be reheated in a microwave every few hours.  A heated get pack also works in keeping the baby warm, just make sure it is not overheated causing burns.

If a whole nest has fallen or you have cut down a tree with babies, place the entire nest at the bottom of the tree or the location where the tree once stood.  If the nest has been destroyed, make a temporary nest from a basket lined with soft bedding and place in the vicinity where the tree once
stood.

Squirrels often build multiple nests, but mom may need time to build another.  More than 75% of the time, the mother will return for her babies.  Allow mom 3 hours to retrieve the babies.  Keep pets inside during this time.  Watch from inside to see if mom retrieves her babies.  If after a few hours, she has not returned, then the squirrels are in need of rescue. 

Place the squirrels in a covered box lined with soft cloth and keep them warm by placing the box on a heating pad set on low.  Please DO NOT attempt to give a baby squirrel anything to eat or drink without first speaking to a rehabilitator.  Bring the babies to Carolina Wildlife Care or another licensed rehabilitator promptly.

If a the baby squirrel is obviously injured, has been caught by a cat or dog, or covered with ants or fleas, then the baby cannot be returned to its family. 

Please DO NOT attempt to give a baby squirrel anything to eat or drink without first speaking to a rehabilitator.  Cow’s milk and infant formula can make a squirrel severely ill.   Bring the baby to Carolina Wildlife Care or another licensed rehabilitator promptly.