The SPCA Serving Erie County is looking for willing and able foster parents for orphaned baby squirrels, and I can’t help.

Foster a squirrel on my behalf, please.

Don’t laugh. Squirrels are my absolute favorite animal, and I’d foster a baby squirrel in no time, except I have a domestic pet (Peanut the Cat), and that goes against the rules for potential squirrel foster parents.

Actually, after scanning the requirements for squirrel foster parents, I think I’d be a terrible one for multiple reasons.

According the SPCA Wildlife Department web page, fostering a squirrel is a pretty hands-off process, and socializing with the fuzzy little creatures is not encouraged. The intention, after all, is to release the squirrels back into the wild once they’ve reached an appropriate age to go it alone, so you don’t want to go and get all emotionally attached to your squirrel roommate.

I simply don’t think I’d be able to resist the urge to tickle a baby squirrel or dress it like a baby. I mean, look at how cute a baby squirrel can be:

The only interaction foster parents should have with the little squirrels is during feedings, which take just a few minutes, five times daily. Do not pet your squirrel roommate or try bonding with it or making it your “pet.”

Aside from some one-on-one training with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator from the SPCA Wildlife Department, that’s really all that’s required of interested parties. The SPCA even provides food and gloves.

So, please, someone foster a squirrel on my behalf.

For more information, call 716-343-2535.