Safety & Emergency Planning

Know where an escaped chipmunk is most likely to hide before opening the enclosure. Block vents, wall gaps and furniture cavities in the care room. Keep a small transfer carrier and spare secure enclosure ready.

Long-term squirrel care is easier when the environment assumes the animal will chew, dig, climb, squeeze, test latches and investigate anything new.

• Use secondary containment. Clean and transfer in a closed room or vestibule when possible.
• Lock doors and lids. Carabiners or true latches are safer than friction-fit lids.
• Protect electrical cords and appliances. Chewing can cause burns, shock and fire.
• Remove toxic plants, pesticides, rodenticides, nicotine, medications and cleaning chemicals.
• Separate predators and other pets. Even familiar dogs/cats can injure a squirrel in seconds.
• Check water hazards and fans. Open toilets, buckets, aquariums and moving ceiling fans can be fatal.

• Have a temperature backup. Know how the care room/enclosure will remain safe if HVAC or power fails.
• Outdoor housing needs shade and dry storm shelter. Make sure burrow/dig areas cannot flood.
• Do not use improvised heaters inside chew range. Heat sources should not create burns, toxic fumes or electrical access.
• Keep transport crates ready. Evacuation is much easier when the animal is already carrier-trained.

1. 01
   Use a rigid, secure carrier. Ventilation openings must be too small to escape through.
2. 02
   Add familiar safe bedding. Avoid loose loops or heavy objects that can shift during travel.
3. 03
   Keep the carrier covered enough to reduce visual stress while maintaining ventilation.
4. 04
   Control temperature. Never leave the carrier in a parked vehicle.
5. 05
   Bring records. Food list, weight history, medications, recent photos/video and a stool sample if the clinic requests one.

• Heat: build shade and backup cooling around the exact species; outdoor Florida conditions can exceed the climate an animal is adapted to.
• Hurricanes / power loss: keep a rigid carrier for every animal, destination options that will accept the species, backup power/cooling where needed, several days of normal food/water and printed veterinary/legal records.
• Flooding: burrow/dig systems need drainage and a dry refuge above any possible water level.
• Public evacuation: Florida personal-pet rules do not automatically authorize public exhibition/contact. Keep transport contained and verify any destination requirements.
• Rescued native wildlife: a storm-injured or orphaned native squirrel is a rehabilitation case, not a pet-acquisition route.

For chipmunks, emergency containment still must preserve ventilation, safe temperature and enough room for normal postural adjustment. Do not make an evacuation carrier the long-term enclosure.