Chris's Squirrels and More a Unique Somers Business

When Christina Clark found her first baby squirrel in 1994, it was the beginning of a journey down a new road.

Clark’s husband had cut down a tree that had a nest of babies in it, and the mom was gone, leaving Clark as the foster mom. The next year, she became licensed with the State of Connecticut to rehabilitate wildlife.

In 1999, her business, Chris’s Squirrels and More, was created. She had been selling antiques online, and that gave her the idea to begin a gift line for squirrel lovers. Clark needed to raise money because rehabilitators do not get paid for what they do and the cost of all their supplies, food, medicine, etc. comes from their own pocket. Clark said that this year, she has received a few donations, but not enough to cover all the expenses that come with rehabilitating the squirrels.

Her Web site went live in April 2000 and specialized in rehabilitation supplies and the gift line. A wife and mother, Clark found herself busy with life and the new business and gave up the antiques.

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The site is still up and very active, and Clark now has supplies for not only squirrels, but for other kinds of wildlife as well.

The other side of the business is the actual rehabilitation of the squirrels. Clark has squirrels of all ages and sizes, and even has a couple flying squirrels and a couple of squirrels with disabilities - including one with an amputated leg and one with only one eye.

Once the squirrels reach a certain age, and/or have shown that they are capable of taking care of themselves, they will be released. When they are babies, they are in a smaller cage. As they get bigger, they move into bigger cages. Before they are released, they will spend some time in a cage outside.

Clark does the training for the state for new rehabilitators, has a “Rehabbers Corner” on the site for rehabilitation education, and will also gladly help anyone who comes across an animal in need.

Hundreds of animals have come through the door, and hundreds more probably will before Clark’s work is done.