St. Melangell's Small Mammal Sanctuary unofficially opened in July of 2014 as a sub permitted facility when my morning shower was interrupted by a frantic knock on my door. The neighbor had been having some trees removed, and out of a nest spilled 4 fat little baby boy squirrels. So I called a rehabber . And they gave me advise to attempt a reunite. Low and behold momma was looking for them . She retrieved three of them very quickly, taking them off to a second drey she had . But number four? She would not take number 4. Over three days I tried. She sniffed and left. Maybe she thought he was dead already? Maybe she just could not count well? He was left behind. I was distraught when the rehab said they were full and could not take him. What would become of him?
I had had some experience 20 yrs ago. I had worked with the raise and release program at the Cincinnati Zoo . I had Eastern Cotton tail experience and Virginia Opossum experience . Even a wood chuck. But never a squirrel. So the rehabber said she would make me her sub permit and I researched how to raise him.
He did beautifully and turned from a naked baby squirrel to a healthy silver juvenile. And he got brothers and sisters later too. I had had no intention of becoming a rehabilatator again. But once I tasted it again, I knew I had been missing it in my heart and soul.
My older daughter was a avid reader of stories of Catholic Saints and the Halloween of 2013 she dressed as St Melangell. Everyone had heard of St Francis, but few had ever heard of St Melangell. She is the patron Saint of hares and small mammals. So it was decided then to name my facility after her.
Fianna Carlson, ( now Sister Veronica Mary F.D.M. ) the same daughter, encouraged me and designed the logo for my facility.
Since those early days, I have received training from the OWRA, and IWRC. And am now a category one permit holder for the state of Ohio's Divison of Natrual Resources. I work closely with two veterinarians and and a Category 2 rehabilatator. ( Update - June of 2016- I was upgraded to a Category 2 Non RVS. So I may now take injured adults and Opossums. )
If raising baby animals and returning them to the wild is something you may be interested in. Look into it. But make sure you do it legal . It's not in the animals best interest to try to go it on your own. And it's illegal in most states to possess wildlife for longer than 48 hours ( Good Samaritan rule).
But I hope you stick around and read and enjoy our adventures here at St. Melangell's .
