Meet Galion resident, Bill Sells: The Squirrel Man

GALION, Ohio — Bill Sells and his wife, Paula, never thought squirrels would be a part of their lives. Until Lucky appeared.

Around eight years ago, former ER nurse Sells and his wife, Paula, fell in love with a tree-dwelling, acorn-hiding critter. They named her Lucky and she’s “legally blind.”

“From the time she (Lucky) took her first breath, we were hooked on squirrels,” said Bill.

Sells found Lucky in his yard when three crows circled around a grown squirrel who looked like it was defending itself. One of the crows, he said, grabbed it and flew off with it in its talons.

He and Paula rushed outside in the snow, shooed the remaining crows. That’s when they found Lucky, who had just become an orphaned baby squirrel. Bill thought she was dead because of the amount of time she spent in the cold and the blue tint quickly spreading over her tiny body. They decided to revive her.

Ten minutes of CPR and years of skin infections and a hysterectomy later, Lucky is part of the Sells’ family and the Galion community.

“She’s been a blessing to so many people,” said Paula.

The couple takes Lucky with them to the post office, PetSmart, Poland Hardware — Bill even takes Lucky for rides on his bicycle from time to time.

“She loves tagging along,” said Bill.

But Lucky isn’t the only squirrel in the Sells’ life. Since reviving Lucky, their house on Gill Avenue has become a squirrel hub.

Back when Bill decided to rehabilitate Lucky, he researched what sorts of formulas might be safe to feed her. After one attempt that nearly killed her, he found that scalded, whole milk and four tablespoons of heavy whipping cream did the trick.

You can find his tried-and-true recipe on his website.

“We had no idea it (the website) was going to snowball into what it is. It’s become pretty much a business,” said Bill.

Bill said he started the website — where he sells various squirrel rehabilitation products — in 2009. The products are designed for individuals interested in rehabilitating malnourished and/or emaciated squirrels.

“From what we’re making in our squirrel nutrition products, it’s (the business) grown 40 percent a year,” said Bill.

Come again? Did he just say his squirrel products are making him significant income?

“Yeah, that’s been the average. It is weird … It’s got to be God doing it because I’ve really done nothing other than like squirrels and help other people with their squirrel questions,” said Bill, who retired from being an ER nurse in June 2014.

The week of Nov. 9 through 15, Bill said the website received 8,750 page views and 5,400 unique visitors, referencing his website numbers.

“My patients now are my squirrels. And they don’t talk back to me,” he said with a laugh.

Bill estimated he’s treated about three dozen squirrels since rehabilitating Lucky.

The evidence is in his yard, where the Sells grow their own greens, mostly kale, for their squirrel nutrition products.

Bill also built a wooden out-house structure furnished with tree branches and nesting boxes. It’s used to hold squirrels until they are ready for release. When they are, he said, he opens the chicken wire latch where squirrels are met with a platform and board walk that leads to the Sells’ full-grown oak tree.

“We want to make sure they make it to a tree, where they belong,” said Bill. “After all, they aren’t pets. I don’t advocate for that.”

By state law, he can’t.

Keeping squirrels, which are classified in Ohio’s Revised Code as “nuisance wild animals,” is against the law unless a license or permit is acquired.

Ohio Division of Wildlife Communications Manager John Windau said circumstances dictate if the state would issue a license to keep squirrels.

“We do sometimes issue permits, but every situation is different. In general, we don’t prefer to take wildlife out of the wild — it’s against the law. But there are different permits,” said Windau.

Windau referenced Ohio Revised Code 1531.02, which states, “No person at any time of the year shall take in any manner or possess any number or quantity of wild animals…”

Windau also referenced Ohio’s scientific, educational or rehabilitation collection permits, under ORC 1533.08.

Bill does not have a permit.

“I tried. I contacted the Ohio Department of Wildlife and they said ‘No. We do not issue licenses to keep squirrels.’ I don’t understand that. In Ohio you can get a license to keep an animal that can kill you, a lion … but you can’t get a permit to keep a squirrel,” said Bill.

He said if the county Wildlife Officer came to take Lucky away, he would fight in court, citing a 1997 case which granted Mary Jane Clifton of Circleville the right to keep her gray squirrel in her possession.

“If someone comes and tries to take her, they’re going to have to take me to court. There’s case law already on the books,” said Bill.

Judge John R. Adkins, who has since died, made the ruling in that case.

The Sells are taking care of two squirrels that will be released in the spring. Some squirrels they release don’t go very far, however. With several trees in their backyard, squirrels can be found readily — and the Sells are quick to feed them.

“It’s a lot of fun to raise and release. I’ve got a lot of friendly squirrels. The females almost always remember you and stick around. When it’s time to release (the squirrels back into the wild) it’s like sending your kids away to college,” said Bill.

With the emotional tax, the possibility of legal fees and headaches with maintaining an up-to-date website, why would the Sells go through all the trouble of rehabilitating squirrels?

“Well they’re just a joy to take care of,” said Bill.

But on a more serious note, he added, “If you have the bottom of the food chain healthy, it’s going to translate all the way up the food chain.”

He also said he loves to help others who share his passion for rehabilitating squirrels.

“Lucky has taught me almost everything I know. I’ve read lots of books on it, but having her has taught us the most about taking care of squirrels. It seems like everything she’s gone through has come up again with other people,” he said.

On his website, he writes that he has found his passion.

“It’s my belief that she was no accident. I believe that she was sent to me to show me what my real passion is all about,” Sells wrote on his website. “I will do anything to help a squirrel in need or a person who is trying to help a squirrel. God created animals before He created man, so that tells me that He really cares about them.

“He has given me a passion for squirrels, so in my mind, they are a labor of love.”