Kind Strangers in NYC Come to Squirrel's Aid After Hearing Her Cries for Help
Sometimes our animal friends find themselves in scary situations. Recently, one baby squirrel was trapped in a pipe, and their mother was unable to help them get out. Thankfully, some kind New Yorkers stepped in to save the day.
TikToker @emma.stricker shared a video of this hairy situation, and in the video text, they explain, "POV: you see a squirrel crying and find out that her baby is stuck in the construction pipe and recruit everyone in the area to help."
@emma.stricker A nyc wholesome moment on my run home #nyc#faithinhumanityrestored
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These New Yorkers really came through for this baby squirrel in a big way! @emma.stricker described this interaction as, "A NYC wholesome moment on my run home ," and what a thing to walk up on in the city. It isn't every day that a group of people band together to save a baby squirrel.
Commenters like @sneakybrownnoser even compared the clip to a scene in a Disney Channel movie, writing "It's like the Cheetah Girls saving Toto." To their point, there's an animal trapped near a New York construction zone that people are frantically trying to help.
To that, @emma.stricker joked, "We should've started singing ." Who knows? Maybe that would have helped the baby squirrel climb out faster like Toto in "The Cheetah Girls."
Though, as shown in the video, these strangers were able to find a simpler solution. @jenoneilauthor mentioned, "Putting the sticks in to help him crawl out is so smart ," and @emma.stricker replied, "We were trying everything! So glad that worked though!" Indeed!
Related: Squirrel Lovingly Cuddling Bunny Stuffie Is Giving 'Punch the Monkey' Vibes
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What to Do If You Find a Squirrel in Distress
While it may be tempting to dive in and save a squirrel in distress, there are many factors to consider when encountering one in trouble. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, you may need to contact a veterinarian or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for help.
According to the Tufts Wildlife Clinic, when attempting to help a sick or injured baby squirrel, you should approach them with caution. Squirrels can bite and scratch, so you need to protect yourself. One way to do that is to wear thick gloves when handling a squirrel.
Before doing anything, Tufts Wildlife Clinic suggests you get a container or box to put them in and make sure it has breathing holes on top. Even with gloves, they advise using a towel to handle the squirrel when placing them in the container.
Once the squirrel is safely in a container, you can assess whether it's safe to release the baby squirrel or reach out to a professional for guidance. You can find more information on safely handling baby squirrels on the Tufts Wildlife Clinic website.
Luckily, in this situation, the New Yorkers were able to quickly help mom and baby out of this jam!
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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 11:20 AM.