Urban Squirrels

Company

Urban Squirrels

Website

www.urbansquirrels.co.uk

More about Urban Squirrels

Urban Squirrels is a London-based licensed wildlife rescue unit that specializes in grey squirrels: care, advice and advocacy. We also actively campaign against the unfair persecution of our bushy-tailed clients.

HOW DID URBAN SQUIRRELS BEGIN?
Urban Squirrels was started by Natalia Doran and her son Jonny, who is a young adult with autism. Jonny wanted to work with animals, and, with support, got his Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care. However, his disability, which is severe (autism is a spectrum, and Jonny is at the severe end of it) makes it impossible for him to work outside the home, even in a voluntary capacity. So we looked at our circumstances, in terms of the care we are able to provide, and the public need, and put two and two together to focus on grey squirrel rescue.

BUT WHY GREY SQUIRRELS?
For Londoners, as for other urban residents, grey squirrels are the only diurnal wild mammal whom they see on a regular basis. Furthermore, because grey squirrels are highly intelligent, they quickly figure out whether a particular human is a danger to them or not, and form friendships that are mutually beneficial: the squirrel gets extra food, the human gets animal companionship that otherwise might be denied to them because of their life circumstances. Befriending a grey squirrel can be like having a pet, but without the responsibility! During the recent Covid-related lockdown many people saw grey squirrel as their “lockdown buddies” and considered them essential for their mental health. One person, who attributed his getting over post-traumatic stress to grey squirrel companionship, said to me that grey squirrels should be prescribed on the NHS! When something happens to these squirrels, or their young, their human companions expect to find a rescue pathway, and this is what Urban Squirrels rescue unit is proud to supply.

BUT AREN’T GREY SQUIRRELS NON-NATIVE?
Grey squirrels occupy a very interesting position in the UK. On the other hand, they are non-native, having been brought from America around 150 years ago, and, because of the current academic fashion for everything “native”, some people dislike them, persecute them, and even organise mass killings. However, grey squirrels have proved an excellent ecological fit, and are now firmly established in the British habitat. Many people love and admire the furry acrobats for their agility, intelligence and sheer survival drive, and are happy to watch them, and sometimes feed them, in the parks and in their gardens.

BUT DON’T THEY KILL RED SQUIRRELS AND DESTROY TREES?
These are urban myths, and Urban Squirrels spends a lot of time debunking them. Please have a look on our website for details, including advocacy pages, essays, references to scientific research, campaign updates, and much more. The address is https://www.urbansquirrels.co.uk

WHAT CARE DO SQUIRRELS IN RESCUE NEED?
The work of Urban Squirrels is very rewarding, but challenging as well. Baby squirrel have to be fed formula every 4 hours round the clock, and are not fully weaned till they are a couple of months old. Injured squirrels require veterinary attention – fortunately, we are located close to a surgery run by a vet who is a wildlife specialist. Last but not least, just keeping a high number of animals in one location means a phenomenal amount of cleaning. Fortunately, Urban Squirrels has a network of capable volunteers and generous supporters to enable the work in normal circumstances. However, Urban Squirrels (as well as every single wildlife organisation that helps grey squirrels) is not currently operating in normal circumstances, not by a long shot.

WHAT IS THE CRISIS URBAN SQUIRRELS IS FACING AT THE MOMENT?
Recent legislation (Invasive Alien Species Order 2019) makes it illegal for animal rescue centres to return back to the wild grey squirrels whom they help. In reality, it is not an exaggeration to say that British grey squirrel rescue is almost destroyed. Residential places are full and animals have to be turned away or euthanised!

Urban Squirrels has applied for a judicial review of this legislation, and the papers are now in court.

What we are trying to do is basically save grey squirrel rescue in this country. At the time of writing we know that animals are being put to sleep by vets, or left to die in parks and gardens, because rescue centres cannot legally help them. Vets, rescue centre workers and compassionate members of the public are traumatised and demoralised in the process. This situation cannot be right, and, with your help, we can continue to challenge it.