Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in May 2019.
A remarkable rescue story unfolded in Saint Andrews when two quick-thinking teenagers came to the aid of a squirrel trapped under a vehicle. The tiny creature was ensnared in hard foam insulation, rendering it nearly unrecognizable.
Jaydon Pettipas and Aidan Hart, aged 15 and 16, were on a walk in downtown Saint Andrews when they noticed a small crowd gathered outside Joey’s Your Independent Grocer. Investigating further, they were astonished to find the squirrel entangled in the insulation, realizing that its time was running out.
Aidan Hart, displaying exceptional resourcefulness, ventured into the grocery store and retrieved a small milk crate to house the squirrel temporarily. The duo sprang into action, making phone calls to family and friends, seeking assistance for the trapped animal.
Jaydon Pettipas recounted that “No one really knew what to do with it.”
Pettipas’s mother stepped in, contacting the nearest veterinary clinic, located 33 kilometers northeast in St. George. She was strongly advised to bring the squirrel in as soon as possible.
Before departing, compassionate bystanders requested Jaydon Pettipas’s cell phone number, expressing a desire to receive updates on the animal’s condition the following day. The Grade 10 student received numerous calls inquiring about the squirrel.
At the St. George Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Melanie Eagan was taken aback by the condition of the squirrel, describing it as unlike anything she had ever encountered. The animal had limited mobility, with only slight movement in its back legs. Dr. Eagan emphasized that the squirrel’s survival hinged on the prompt actions of the two teenagers.
Continues..