FAQs

Please contact us so that we may discuss the symptoms and arrange for further action.  If it is a weekend or evening please phone our mobiles and leave a message with your contact number and  we will get back to you as soon as possible.

If you have seen a red squirrel that you think is showing signs of Squirrelpox (dead or alive) please contact us immediately. 

If you find a dead red squirrel the carcass should be sent for Post Mortem examination.  Download the Post Mortem Protocol document to find out about the appropriate procedure for sending bodies for post mortem examination. Please also download and complete the Post Mortem Submission Form and enclose with the package.  Please contact us at RSSS if you require further advice and to advise us of the submission. 

If you see a grey squirrel please tell us about it as soon as possible.  Please complete our quick and easy squirrel sightings form or contact us directly via email.  Don’t forget to include post code or grid reference of sighting, date and information on habitat.

Providing appropriate supplementary food to red squirrels can help populations get through the hard times and improve their breeding success.  If you are feeding red squirrels please read our supplementary feeding guidelines to help you provide them with an appropriate and healthy diet.

If you are living in an identified pox outbreak area we advise that you cease all squirrel feeding as this attracts both species and leads to increased contact which can increase the spread of the disease.

If you have a regular population of red squirrels in your area please let us know at least once a year how they are getting on.   If there are any significant changes to the population (such as a major increase or decrease in numbers beyond normal seasonal variations) during the year please let us know.   If you have an incidental sighting of either a grey or a red squirrel please let us know every time.  To report a squirrel sighting either complete our squirrel sightings form or contact us directly via email. 

A great way to help local red squirrel populations is to establish natural food sources for them. There are many different types of trees and shrubs that can make an attractive addition to your garden as well as creating a sustainable squirrel food source.  Take a look at our list of Shrub and Tree Species for Red Squirrel Conservation.