INTRODUCTION TO SQUIRRELS – In Person Class & Treatment Workshop

SATURDAY, MAY 9th, 2026 10:00am-1:00pm

NOTE: Open to licensed wildlife rehabilitators, those who passed the State rehabilitation exam in March 2026, & those who have registered for the June 2026 exam. Free to NCWC members. A minimum donation of $20 is requested from non-members.

https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1600750
https://account.venmo.com/u/northcountrywildcare

Come learn what to expect when rehabbing one of our most common intakes. Whether this is your first year rehabbing squirrels or your 20th, this workshop is beneficial to all levels of experience!

Tentative Agenda:

Part 1: A general introduction to tree squirrels, mainly focusing on Grey Squirrels but Red Squirrels & Flying Squirrels will be briefly touched upon. Topics to be covered include: determining age, feeding schedules, housing, formulas, & enrichment; as well as common problems such as diarrhea, genital sucking, & aspiration pneumonia.

Instructor: Cara Huffman. Cara, founding member of North Country Wild Care, is a Veterinary Technician at Schroon River Animal Hospital and NYS Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator who has been working with wildlife for over 30 years. In 2022 Cara was honored with the NYSWRC’s “Vet Tech of the Year” award for tireless service to wildlife. Originally rehabbing in California, Cara moved to New York in 2000, immediately hooked up with local rehabilitators, and got her NYS rehab license. Cara primarily rehabs mammals and birds from tiny hummingbird nestlings to the beloved bald eagle, from ‘pinky’ opossum neonates to countless orphaned squirrels, foxes, skunks, ermines, woodchucks, black bears and bobcats, with the occasional reptile and amphibian! Favorite species to rehab: weasels, baby skunks, neonate squirrels, opossums, & American kestrels.

Part 2: Are you Sciurus curious? From getting to the bottom of an anal prolapse to sinking your teeth into malocclusion—this part of the workshop may be just for you. We will explore less common but clinically important conditions encountered in care. Participants will learn to recognize key clinical signs, understand underlying causes, and review practical treatment approaches for challenges such as:

– Bordetella

– Malocclusion
– Runt vs. failure to thrive
– Dwarf vs. Down’s syndrome

– Anal prolapse
– Microphthalmia

– Balding syndrome vs Mange

Emphasis will be placed on strengthening observation skills, sound decision-making, and knowing when to seek additional support or veterinary assistance.

Instructor: Barbara Bellons-Picon. A New York State Class 2 licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator with 30 years of experience, Barbara specializes in tree/ground squirrel rehabilitation and wildlife education. Some highlights include: Served on NYSWRC board, Past NY state liaison for IWRC, Founder of Squirrel Sanctuary Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Inc, Wildlife Clinic supervisor for DRS AEH. With a special interest in sharing and disseminating information, she has authored several peer reviewed papers on squirrel rehabilitation published in the professional journals of NWRA and has been and currently an active presenter at both National and State Wildlife rehabilitation conferences. She is currently working on several educational projects and training/mentoring newly licensed wildlife rehabbers and rehab assistants.

TO REGISTER: https://forms.gle/ayESKu8aMXmVd1uz7

LOCATION: South Glens Falls Fire Company, 361 Reynolds Road, Fort Edward, NY, off of Exit 17 of the Northway.