“The homeowners were distraught and crying.”
Spray and Foam, two tiny squirrel siblings from New York, faced a frightening ordeal that could have ended tragically — but thanks to quick thinking and dedicated rescuers, they were given a second chance at life.
Earlier this month, homeowners were working on a section of their wall and filling it with spray foam insulation when they suddenly heard a desperate scream. Concerned by the sound, they carefully opened the wall and discovered two squirrels trapped and completely covered in the dangerous material.
Realizing the animals needed urgent medical attention, the homeowners contacted local wildlife rescuers and were soon connected with Lilyanna Zona from Twin Tails Wildlife Rehab.
“The homeowners were devastated and crying, but they were also incredibly grateful that I came to help,” Zona shared.
A Race Against Time to Save Their Lives
When Zona arrived, she immediately understood how serious the situation was. The hardened foam was already affecting the squirrels’ ability to breathe, making every second count.
She carefully removed as much of the insulation as possible before rushing the frightened animals to Cornell Wildlife Hospital for emergency treatment.
At the hospital, veterinarians safely sedated the squirrels and worked carefully to remove every trace of foam covering their tiny bodies, including around their eyes, ears, mouths, and noses.
Recovery Begins With Love and Care
After the dangerous insulation was finally removed and the squirrels were stabilized, they returned to Zona’s home, where her twin sister Aryanna joined the rehabilitation effort.
The two rescuers cared for Spray and Foam just like they would any other orphaned squirrels, feeding them special formula through syringes and monitoring their recovery closely.
As the siblings regained their strength, their unique personalities began to emerge.
“Spray is calmer and more cautious. When he first came back into our care, he was hesitant to eat, but we quickly convinced him,” Zona explained. “Foam is much more confident and would even stand on Spray’s head to get the best snack first.”
Growing Strong Enough for Freedom
With time, patience, and plenty of care, Spray and Foam transformed from fragile survivors into healthy young squirrels with beautiful coats and plenty of energy.
Once they were strong enough, the siblings reached an important milestone — returning to the wild where they belonged.
A Bittersweet Goodbye
Although the Zona twins were emotional about saying goodbye, they knew that freedom among the trees was the best future for Spray and Foam.
“It’s always bittersweet because you want what’s best for them, and that means letting them return to the wild,” Zona said. “But you also worry about the challenges they’ll face. Seeing how much they grew and changed was incredible.”
Thanks to a chance discovery, fast action, and the compassion of rescuers, Spray and Foam were able to overcome a terrifying beginning and start a new chapter in nature.