How to help

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​" Volunteer to care for a few of the baby squirrels. " and/or Donate these food items: Fox Valley or Just Born (puppy formula), pecans, almonds, walnuts, acorns, apples, grapes, strawberries, pears, corn, green beans, squash. And/or " Donate these supplies" syringes without needles, crates, carriers, paper towels, old t-shirts, heating pads. " Make a financial donation (make checks payable to Lovely Lita's Sheltering Tree foundation, 1110 S. Pine Lake Drive, Tampa Fl 33612) or go to the homepage and click the donation button to use PayPal

​Who we are​

​Lovely Lita's Sheltering Tree Foundation is a registered not for profit organization for the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned and injured squirrels. This organization offers all types and ages of squirrels refuge. Any that can be returned to the wild are released at our Plant City location. There they have 10 acres of wooded area to live happily. If you would like to make a donation to help us rehabilitate our patients, your help will be put to good use toward restoring a normal existence to these animals. Thank you for visiting!

​​​Squirrel Facts​

​Squirrels are not considered a rabies vector species like racoons, bats and foxes. However, one should exercise caution when approaching any sick or injured wild animal. Florida has two main seasons for babies but we do get them year around. The larger season is between late July and October. This is of course, hurricane season as well. The other time we get more babies is between January and April.​

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During the hurricanes of a few years ago we got in a lot of animals. Hurricane Frances brought in over 200 baby squirrels in one day. However, most of the animals in the care of this organization are here because of contact with man. Babies are frequently knocked out of trees when the tree is trimmed. Older babies and adults are at risk from roaming dogs and cats. Cars are also a constant danger for them. You can help by confining your pets and driving carefully when in the area where squirrels frequent.​

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Poison is another problem. If you must get rid of pests in your area please consider another method. Not only squirrels are effected by poison. Once ingested they die horrible deaths and if a hawk, owl or pet eats the poisoned animal, secondary poisoning occurs.

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If you find a baby please call to get instructions on how to best care for it or bring it to where a rehabber can take over it's care. It is always best if the mother can raise her babies, so we often will suggest placing the babies back where they can be reunited with mom, if possible. They must be watched though to make sure that no dogs, cats, hawks or other predators come along first.

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Raising an orphaned squirrel is a wonderful experience if you have the time and resources available, but they rarely make good pets. Once they hit maturity most will bite, often hitting bone when they chomp down. Nothing in your home will be safe from their constantly growing teeth. Babies bond with their caregivers so it is better to get them to someone that will be able to raise them fully. If you do not feel like you are up to the task.