>> Read more trending stories  

And who doesn't love the furry little creatures who run around stealing food from bird feeders and running rampant in our attics?

According to Animal Planet, the day is said to have started way back in 2001 by wildlife rehabilitator Christy Hargrove of the Western North Carolina Nature Center.

Hargrove apparently picked January because food is difficult to find for squirrels.

If you feel like celebrating the squirrels in your neighborhood, here's some inspiration to start you off:

About the Author

Keep Reading

Dogs stand inside their kennels at the expanded DeKalb animal shelter in Chamblee on Dec. 17, 2025. The new space consists of climate-controlled kennel buildings with indoor and outdoor access, each designed to house 12 dogs. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller

Featured

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies before a state Senate committee at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC