Joliet woman rescues baby squirrel displaced by Monday's derecho

The derecho that tore through Will County on Monday left many residents still without power and internet on Friday.

But it also left many baby squirrels homeless and in danger of death.

Fortunately, one baby squirrel has a new chance at life, thanks to the quick thinking a Joliet woman.

Kristin Haller of Joliet said she was assessing the damage in her yard when she found the squirrel. The storm had hit her neighborhood hard and people already were breaking down debris with their saws, she said.

When Haller looked down, she saw a “wet and cold” baby squirrel on the sidewalk.

“It was very young [later learned 3 weeks old] and had some blood on its face, but otherwise alive,” Haller said in an email.

Because Haller understands the basics of caring for animals, so she cupped the squirrel in her hands to warm it up.

She looked on YouTube videos about caring for displaced baby squirrels, even though cell service was spotty, she said.

Finally Haller decided the entire situation was out of her depth and she “googled” wildlife rehabilitators.

That led her to a list of wildlife rehabilitators listed on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website and then to Safe Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation, a six-month-old, Joliet-based non-profit.

Haller made call and was directed to Helen Svetlecich of Crest Hill, who rehabilitates squirrels and whose contact information was listed on the IDNR site.

“Helen told me to bring the squirrel over,” Haller said.

When Haller arrived at Svetlecich’s house, she saw other people bringing even more displaced baby squirrels.

"[Helen] didn’t miss a beat and took the little one and placed it in the incubator,” Haller said in the email. “She guessed this one had a jaw injury. I’m not sure what the prognosis is, but I know it is in good hands.”

Haller said she gave Svetlecich a donation for supplies and then "liked" Safe Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation on Facebook.

In fact, the Facebook page has useful information when it comes to wildlife, Haller said.

"I was happy to do my part in helping my wildlife neighbor," Haller said in an email. "When it comes to wildlife, the 'handling' knowledge seems to be lacking."

Svetlecich said squirrel rehabbers often receive quite a few baby squirrels after a heavy storm.

“We just rehab them and release them,” Svetlecich said.

Because baby squirrels nest in trees, they often get blown out when winds pick up, she said.

“Or if Mama gets killed, the babies will jump because they’re hungry and are looking for food,” Svetlecich said.

Svetlecich said she keeps squirrels for 14 weeks and then takes them to a friend’s farm.

The squirrels stay in a pre-release cage for two weeks and then they are released, she said.

“You have to release them on private property,” Svetlecich said. "It’s against DNR rules to release them into the woods.”

Svetlecich has a good success rate with these little critters, she said.

“In the last 11 years, I’ve lost, maybe, 12,” she said. “I’m very good at what I do.”

If you do find wildlife, keep the animal warm while you look for rehabilitation services, Svetlecich said.

Don’t worry about feeding the animal at this point, she said. Worry more about keeping it warm.

“If it’s cold, it will die,” Svetlecich said.

For more information, visit safehavenwildliferehab.com.