Community Corner

Squirrels Need Help Too

The Peninsula Humane Society's new shelter is currently nourishing dozens of squirrels.

It's no secret that squirrels invade the parks of San Mateo County, but many of the furry creatures have recently taken up residence at what some might consider an unusual spot: the Peninsula Humane Society's newly-opened center in Burlingame.

Nearly 100 squirrels in need of rehabilitation have been "checked in" to the center since the shelter opened earlier this month, which is no surprise to shelter officials, according to Humane Society spokesman Scott Delucchi.

"The recent influx of squirrels was expected, as wildlife rehabilitation work is seasonal," the humane society said in a statement. "Squirrels, like other local wildlife, have regular times of the year when they are born and when they need human intervention to survive."

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According to the center, many of the tree squirrels in the humane society's care had their nests damaged or destroyed by tree trimming.

The Tom and Annette Lantos Center for Compassion, located at 1450 Rollins Road in Burlingame, was designed to treat wildlife, and the humane society has historically received sick, injured or orphaned wildlife from the public year-round.

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The humane society's goal, according to Delucchi, is to heal the animals and release them back to their natural habitat.

The Lantos Center is also home to all of the humane society's adoptable animals, education programs, a kitten nursery and obedience classes for the public. Center hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
 
Residents looking for lost pets, those bringing found stray domestic animals and those who have exhausted options and must surrender an owned animal should continue visiting PHS/SPCA’s Coyote Point facility, located at 12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo.

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