TEEN SAVES ORPHANED SQUIRRELS DURING HURRICANE EVACUATION

Last month when Hurricane Ida tragically struck New Orleans, several families were forced to evacuate the city and seek shelter. 15-year-old Bailee Villavaso and her family were one of the people who had to leave their home. But even in the horror and stressful situation Bailee found the time to other tiny souls whose lives were also turned upside down. 

Bailee spotted a tiny nest laying on the ground which was forced out of a nearby tree by the hurricane force winds. Turns out is was a squirrel nest and inside was three baby squirrels. Unfortunately, their mother seemed to be missing and the little babies were all alone. Bailee knew she had to help the babies especially now. Thinking quickly she ran home to get a box and a towel to safely place the babies inside. 

“I dried off the squirrels with the towel and put them in the box with bedding. The squirrels were extremely lethargic, and huddled up to stay warm.”

The kindhearted teen did not stop there. Instead of just bringing them in from the cold, she also did her research on how to keep them alive and healthy. Bailee reached out to a family member who’s a veterinarian to learn how to feed the baby squirrels. Now Bailee has officially became the squirrels’ adoptive mom, which they don’t seem to mind. 

“Once the squirrels had eaten, they started to gain energy. After about 24 hours, they perked up enough to run and play. The squirrels started climbing and running on me.”

Bailee cleverly named the three rascals Alvin, Simon and Theodore. All three squirrels went with her and her family when they had to evacuate. Bailee of course kept them safe and fed along the way. But Bailee also knows that raising orphaned squirrels is a job best left to professionals, as sad as that may be to part ways with them, she’s doing her best to make arrangements.

“I have reached out to some animal rehabbers, but was told they were overwhelmed with squirrels after the hurricane. I will continue to reach out to animal rehab centres.” During such a stressful time, these babies brought hope and joy to the family, and Bailee is happy to be looking out for them. “I am definitely an animal lover!”