You've seen him at games, wearing tiny Vols gear. Meet Sinan the squirrel | Know Your Knox
Many might claim to be the Tennessee Volunteers ' biggest fan, but the title of smallest Vols fan goes to Sinan the Squirrel.
Regulars at Tennessee football games this season have probably seen Sinan with his owner, Saed Awad. The 6-year-old squirrel accompanies Awad to University of Tennessee games and other events throughout the year, and Awad sells merchandise bearing Sinan's likeness .
Awad likes making people smile, and that's just what Sinan does.
Awad expects the squirrel-turned-UT-influencer to have a long career. According to his veterinarian, a squirrel living indoors and eating health food like Sinan could live as long as 18 or 20 years, which surprised Awad. "When I found him, I thought it was like four or five years maximum," Awad told Knox News.
How did Awad and Sinan the squirrel meet?
Awad likes squirrels enough to build feeders for them at his home in Oak Ridge, but had never raised one until a couple of his friends alerted him to a baby squirrel they had found. Awan researched squirrel care, and nursed the squirrel he named Sinan back to health.
He tried to release Sinan, but the squirrel kept coming back to him. So Awad decided to keep Sinan, obtaining a permit to do so.
Sinan's first experience with University of Tennessee fans came when he was just a couple of months old. They were at Melton Lake Park during a rowing competition hosted by the Vols. Since then, Awad has taken Sinan to UT football games, farmers markets and car shows.
Sinan isn't on a leash when they're hanging out with other Vols fans – the tame squirrel stays in his chair, stool or toy car while Awad keeps a close eye on him. Sinan has been inside Neyland Stadium for a couple of football games, Awad said, but he usually keeps Sinan at tailgates away from the roaring crowds.
Sinan has been a hit with college students and UT fans, amassing more than 63,800 followers on Instagram and over 132,200 followers and 2 million likes on TikTok , both under not always you find a squirrel you can take pictures with." Awad said.
What's next for Sinan the squirrel?
Awad continues to take the popular squirrel to events. Sinan is well behaved, calmly letting people hold him in his chair while he wears little costumes.
Awad would like to get a service animal license in order to travel with Sinan. Without one, he would have to get individual permits from each state in order to take Sinan outside of Tennessee. If he gets the service animal license, Awad said he'll get a camper and hit the road with Sinan.
Awad expects to care for Sinan for upwards to 14 more years. It's difficult to domesticate a squirrel and keep them friendly, Awad said, which is what makes Sinan such a special pet.
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