Carpentry students at Washington High School partnered with Debbie Mauney, wildlife rehabilitator, to assist with the abundance of displaced squirrels after Hurricane Irene hit Beaufort County in late August.

The veterinarians and staff at Pamlico Animal Hospital offered their assistance in caring for these squirrels, but there were not enough cages to accommodate more than 35 homeless squirrels. The carpentry students quickly designed and built enough cages and nesting boxes to accommodate more than 35 displaced squirrels.

“I cannot thank them enough for jumping in and using their knowledge and skills to help these orphaned wild animals in need,” Mauney said.

Later, the students were notified that all displaced squirrels they helped to save had been released back into the wild.