'Momma' takes in baby squirrel

COLBERT COUNTY - Colbert County Animal Control workers weren't sure what to do when someone dropped off a baby squirrel at the shelter about four weeks ago.

At the same time, they were concerned about a mother cat who seemed down over the recent loss of her kitten.

Then it hit them: What if they put the squirrel and cat together?

To this day, they have been amazed and touched by the results. The cat has taken in the squirrel as its baby.

The squirrel feeds from the cat, and "Momma," as the shelter workers have named the cat, has taught the squirrel the finer things in life, such as using the litter box.

Animal Control Supervisor Kenny Price said the owner who dropped off the squirrel explained that they couldn't bottle feed him because of his size.

He was just a few inches long at the time.

"We couldn't bottle feed him because he was so small," Price said. "So, we thought we'd see if he'd take to Momma. He did, and she immediately started cleaning him when we put him in the cage with her."

The workers watched to make sure Momma wouldn't attack the squirrel when they initially put it in the cage. "She took him right in," Price said.

The workers were delightfully surprised to see the squirrel start using the litter box, but say it makes sense.

"He thinks that he's a cat. Momma teaches him that he's a cat," Price said.

Momma has a great deal of patience with the squirrel. Dix said the squirrel's teeth have become extremely sharp, so it must be painful for the cat to continue to feed it, but Momma doesn't complain.

The cat doesn't have much time to herself. The squirrel likes to ride on her back when she walks around. He literally grunts and grumbles when taken to a separate cage.

"He's rotten. He won't leave her alone," Price said. "We put them in separate cages sometimes in the day so Momma can have some peace and quiet."

He said the squirrel is used to being around people, and enjoys being petted by the workers and fed crackers. "He'll climb all over your back and head. He doesn't realize how sharp those claws are."

Workers say Momma, a small black cat with four white paws and a white patch on her chest, is ready for adoption. The squirrel also can be adopted, Dix said. They could go as a package deal or be adopted separately.

The workers hope the animals find good homes.

They worry about Momma especially, because there are so many cats that have to be euthanized when owners can't be found.

"We want people to love her and take her in, the way she loved and took in the squirrel," Price said. "She's so sweet, and it's just hard to find homes for cats."

Anyone interested in adopting the animals can contact the shelter at 381-4073.

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@timesdaily.com.