The Kentuckiana Scaletuary

The Kentuckiana Scaletuary You break ‘em, We fix ‘em
🐢🦎🐸🐍
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The Kentuckiana Scaletuary is a 501c(3) licensed wildlife rehabilitation center & safe haven for native & exotic herpetological species in the Kentuckiana region.

Last year, we admitted 77 turtles into rehabilitation over the entire year.Today, we’ve officially hit 79 intakes for 20...
06/13/2026

Last year, we admitted 77 turtles into rehabilitation over the entire year.

Today, we’ve officially hit 79 intakes for 2026, and we’re only halfway through June.

I honestly don’t know whether to celebrate, cry, take a nap, or cry 🥲

This year has been a whirlwind of late-night emergency calls, car-strike victims, shell repairs, medications, enclosure cleaning, vet visits, paperwork, fundraising, and trying to remember what day of the week it is. Some nights we’re still working on turtles at 2 or 3 in the morning, only to get another call an hour later.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re incredibly grateful that so many people are finding us when turtles need help. Every intake represents a life that now has a chance. But the reality is that our small team can only do so much, and the need keeps growing.

That’s why we’re looking for future Turtle Trauma Team members 🐢🛡️

We need people who want to do the dirty work with us, learn how to piece a turtle shell back together, explore the do’s & don’ts, & go through our turtle bootcamp to join the team!

So while we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together so far, we’re also realizing that if we’re going to keep helping more turtles each year, we’re going to need more hands, more hearts, and more people willing to be part of this mission.

If you think that’s you 🫵, fill out an application for review: https://form.jotform.com/260198136844059

79 turtles down. Countless more to go 💚

👷‍♀️✨Sponsor-a-Slab Update!✨👷‍♀️We have exciting news!After receiving an updated quote, the cost of our turtle rehabilit...
06/11/2026

👷‍♀️✨Sponsor-a-Slab Update!✨👷‍♀️

We have exciting news!
After receiving an updated quote, the cost of our turtle rehabilitation yard fence project has dropped from over $3,000 to just $1,500!

This secure outdoor enclosure will provide a safe transition space for turtles that have completed medical treatment and are preparing for release. Here, they can relearn important natural behaviors such as:

🌱 Foraging for food
☀️ Basking in natural sunlight
🪵 Climbing and exploring obstacles
💧 Navigating natural terrain
🐢 Building strength and confidence before returning to the wild

To help make this project a reality, we’re continuing our Sponsor-a-Slab Fundraiser!

✨Sponsorship Levels✨

🐢 1 Slab Sponsor → $20
🌿 3 Slabs → $50
🛠️ 5 Slabs → $100
🛡️Shell Shield Sponsor (10 Slabs) → $200
🏰 Sanctuary Fortress Sponsor (20 Slabs) → $300

🎨 Leave Your Mark!
All sponsors will have the opportunity to come to the property & decorate their slab(s) with names, artwork, messages, memorials, business logos & more!

We also encourage local businesses, organizations, and fellow nonprofits to sponsor a slab and become part of this community-built turtle yard!

Every slab brings us one step closer to giving injured native turtles the safe outdoor space they need to recover, regain their wild instincts, and get a second chance at life.
Be part of the dream & sponsor today!

Fundraiser link: https://givebutter.com/sponsor-a-slab-bdrbdz

✨Shell Healing 101 featuring Turt Russell!✨What an amazing transformation in roughly 8 weeks of rehab! When Turt first a...
06/11/2026

✨Shell Healing 101 featuring Turt Russell!✨

What an amazing transformation in roughly 8 weeks of rehab! When Turt first arrived back in April, a large portion of her shell and underlying tissue had been torn away. Injuries like this are painful, leave turtles vulnerable to infection, and can take months to heal. Finder Lauren jumped to the rescue & brought her to VEG ER for Pets in Cincinnati for stabilization & then VEG organized transport for her down to us! Without them, Turt wouldn’t be here right now.

The bright pink tissue visible in the middle photo is called granulation tissue. While it may look alarming, it is actually a sign that the body is doing exactly what it should. Granulation tissue brings new blood vessels into the wound and creates the foundation for healing.

Today’s photo shows a much smaller wound with mature, healthy tissue filling the defect. The area continues to contract and strengthen with each passing week.

We’re ecstatic over her progress! Her recovery is far from over, but she continues to remind us that healing often happens one tiny step at a time!

This afternoon we said goodbye to a female red-eared slider who suffered devastating injuries after being struck by a ve...
06/11/2026

This afternoon we said goodbye to a female red-eared slider who suffered devastating injuries after being struck by a vehicle and later chewed on by a dog. Her wounds were simply too severe to repair, and the kindest thing we could do was help her pass peacefully.

During our examination, we discovered she was carrying eggs. After she was humanely euthanized, we carefully removed them and placed them in an incubator.

Whether they will develop successfully remains to be seen, but we’re giving them every chance we can.

This turtle’s story is a reminder that the adult turtles we see crossing roads aren’t just individuals. Many are mothers carrying the next generation. When a mature female turtle is lost, the impact can extend far beyond a single animal.

For now, we wait. If these eggs are viable, some part of her genetic legacy may continue on, despite the injuries that ultimately claimed her life. We couldn’t save her, but we’re hoping to save what she left behind!

Yesterday, we took in five new turtle patients, keeping us busy until nearly 3:00 a.m.Of these five turtles, 4 were fema...
06/10/2026

Yesterday, we took in five new turtle patients, keeping us busy until nearly 3:00 a.m.

Of these five turtles, 4 were female injured by vehicles & 1 was suffering from an upper respiratory infection
Unfortunately, this snapshot represents some of the most common reasons turtles enter wildlife rehabilitation.

Vehicle strikes remain one of the leading causes of injury and death in wild turtles. Even turtles that survive the initial impact often suffer fractured shells, internal injuries, dehydration, shock, and secondary infections. What may appear to be a “small crack” on the outside can hide much more serious trauma beneath the shell.

Respiratory infections are another common concern. When the temperature fluctuates & weather can’t make up its mind, URI’s blossom. Left untreated, these infections can become life-threatening and require intensive supportive care.

Each turtle pictured here has a different story, different injuries, and different treatment plan. Some will require shell repair, antibiotics, pain management, and months of rehabilitation before they can safely return to the wild.

Throughout the day, we’ll introduce each of these patients individually and share their stories, injuries, treatments, and progress. We hope these updates not only help you follow their journeys, but also provide insight into the challenges wild turtles face every day!

For now, we’re taking a few hours to recharge before getting back to work. These turtles have a long road ahead, and we’re committed to giving them every chance possible!

🚨 MURDERDOZER UPDATE 🚨Murderdozer was due for a photo update today but instead of posing politely on the treatment table...
06/09/2026

🚨 MURDERDOZER UPDATE 🚨

Murderdozer was due for a photo update today but instead of posing politely on the treatment table, she chose the floor and refused to negotiate. As a result, today’s progress photo was taken with her on the floor & her medical team hid behind a plastic storage bin for protection.

Wildlife rehabilitation isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it’s advanced wound care. Sometimes it’s pain medication and bandage changes. And sometimes it’s a standoff between a snapping turtle and a rehabber armed with a plastic tote 🤺

Despite her continued efforts to intimidate the staff, we’re encouraged by what we’re seeing so here’s the tea ☕️

When Murderdozer arrived, the injury contained freshly traumatized tissue and significant inflammation. Today, 19 days later, we’re beginning to see healthier tissue developing within the wound. The exposed tissue appears pink and viable, which is exactly what we hope to see during these early stages of healing.

We’re also encouraged that we are not seeing some of the signs that concern us most, including foul odor, extensive dead tissue, or heavy discharge.

Before a turtle can rebuild shell, the body must first create healthy tissue to protect the injured area and support future healing. Think of it as building a foundation before constructing a house. And right now, her foundation is too wonky for a house to be built.

Shell injuries this severe heal slowly. We’re talking months, sometimes years, not days. Right now, our goal isn’t for the hole to disappear overnight. Our goal is healthy tissue, a clean wound, and one stubborn jerkface turtle continuing to fight.

So far, Murderdozer is accomplishing all three!

💚 Please keep Murderdozer in your thoughts as she continues her recovery journey.

And if you’re wondering who won today’s standoff between the snapping turtle and the plastic bin…

The bin survived…..barely

⬇️ If you would like to support us ⬇️

💲Cashapp: https://cash.app/$thekyscaletuary

⬛️ Square: https://square.link/u/6eElpm7a?src=sheet

🧈GiveButter: https://givebutter.com/Thekyscaletuary

🥬 Register your Kroger Plus Card to Community Rewards: https://https://www.kroger.com/i/community/community-rewards Organization Code: “BA159”

🔵 Chewy Wishlist: https://www.chewy.com/g/the-kentuckiana-scaletuary-inc_b142695385

📦 Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3DEBXW88VIP0H?ref_=wl_share

👚 Merchandise: https://the-kentuckiana-scaletuary.myspreadshop.com/

📞⚕️Call All Pets Veterinary Center & make a donation towards our patients medical care: 502-384-0551

Meet Turtle Trish 🐢She’s one of the lucky ones.Every spring and summer, we receive turtles that have been attacked by do...
06/08/2026

Meet Turtle Trish 🐢

She’s one of the lucky ones.

Every spring and summer, we receive turtles that have been attacked by dogs. While dogs are often just following their natural instincts, a turtle’s shell is living bone and tissue, not a suit of armor. What may seem like a quick grab or a playful chew can leave a turtle with devastating injuries, exposed bone, internal trauma, infection, and sometimes injuries so severe they cannot be repaired & pass from the damage.

When Trish arrived, she had significant damage to her shell from a dog attack. Thankfully, someone intervened before more damage could be done and got her to a wildlife rehabilitator. Because help came quickly, she had a fighting chance.

📸 In the first photo, you can see the extent of her injuries when she arrived.

📸 In the second photo, Trish is already healing after receiving medical treatment, pain management, wound care, and lots of patience.

Cases like Trish’s are why we ask pet owners to keep a close eye on their dogs, especially during turtle nesting season. Female box turtles spend a lot of time wandering through yards, fields, and neighborhoods searching for places to lay eggs, making them especially vulnerable.

If your dog finds a turtle:

✅ Immediately separate them.
✅ Bring the turtle indoors or to a secure area away from pets.
✅ Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, (*ahem* us) even if the shell damage seems minor.

Turtle Trish still has a road to recovery ahead of her, but thanks to a quick-thinking rescuer, she has that chance. Not every turtle we receive is as fortunate.

A few minutes of intervention can mean the difference between life or death!

Kentucky Humane Society threw an amazing Waggin’ Tails Festival today at the waterfront! Thank you to everyone who came ...
06/08/2026

Kentucky Humane Society threw an amazing Waggin’ Tails Festival today at the waterfront! Thank you to everyone who came out!

A special thank you to volunteers Krow, Sarah, Beth, & Rachel for spending the day with us making our booth one of the most talked about booths there! Also another a big thank you to The REptile Project for allowing us to borrow a ginormous Burmese python to have people face their fears!

Come see us TODAY at Waterfront Park for the Kentucky Humane Society’s Waggin’ Tail Fundraiser!Hope to see you there!
06/07/2026

Come see us TODAY at Waterfront Park for the Kentucky Humane Society’s Waggin’ Tail Fundraiser!
Hope to see you there!

06/06/2026

So long, Jim Bob 💚🥲

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Scottsburg, IN

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Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 7pm
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