Furry Tails & Scales Exotic Rescue

07/28/2026

https://www.kltv.com/2026/07/24/2nd-skunk-tests-positive-rabies-smith-county-officials-say/

It's why I keep warning people STOP feeding the strays, not only did Texas pass a law last August banning people from feeding/watering strays but feeding them it also causes wildlife like raccoons, possums, and skunks to congregate to eat there as well. In Texas, if you decide to feed a stray, Texas now says that its you "taking responsibility" for their care, but if any need medical attention and you cannot afford if you can be hit with FELONY animal neglect and cruelty charges. People are ALREAY being hit with these charges, its all over groups on FB. Neighbors turning each other in, etc. Unless you are ready to take on the animal you are feeding, DONT! Its a liability now. "But we cant just let them starve!" Uh, yeah you can. They will find food, they will roam to find food. You can call the SPCA, Nicholas Pet Haven or any other rescue and report where they are located and let a rescue or shelter take responsibility for them. Nicholas Pet Haven and the SPCA have tons of resources, let them deal with the situation.

((there is a white/brown spotted pyranese mix thats currently been seen at Red Rooster, Brookshires, Dollar General, and Ace Hardware here in Hawkins. He is NOT a stray and he only stays around those businesses because he knows he will gets food/treats there. His ribs are NOT showing, he is not starving, he roams my neighborhood behind Red Rooster off Scenic Loop, the owner lets him wander free. He walks with a guy with a huge malamute who walks the neighborhood. If people STOPPED feeding him he would stay in the neighborhood and not wander as far. So.. STOP FEEDING STRAYS! Had the same issue with the black momma dog and the silvery cinnamon male up at Subway. People were feeding them so they kept coming back. Took me and a friend MONTH to catch both and keep them both fixed but we also found out they are OWNED. 70yr woman who is only at that house a couple days a week but the neighbors LOVE those dogs and feed them. Had people STOPPED feeding them at Subway, they would have stuck closer to their house where they are fed and taken care of. People feeding "strays" are NOT helping AT ALL. You're only CONDITIONING them to STAY there for food. Just because a dog is loose does NOT mean its a stray! Unless you see their bones, unless you can see they are ACTUALLY emaciated, CALL A RESCUE!!!! DO NOT TAKE CARE OF THEM YOURSELF! The law does NOT protect you anymore! It only takes ONE person witnessing or you posting proof up that you left food out for them is all it takes for Texas to now view you as their caregiver!))

KEEP YOUR OUTSIDE CATS INSIDE! There's also bobcat fever that is affecting indoor/outdoor and outdoor only cats and there's also a virus from the fleas that can be transferred to people that can be deadly. I posted about these two issues already but now rabies is ramping up. Outdoor cats are exposed to wildlife, even if secured in a backyard SQUIRRELS and RACOONS can still climb fences and get into your backyard dropping off fleas(even if you spray or have a pesticide person coming out) and exposing them to parasites and disease. Tts TRIPLE digits outside. Cats are exposed to poisons, antifreeze(this tastes good to animals), pesticides, wildlife, stray/dumped dogs, roaming dogs, hit by vehicles, coyotes/hawks/owls hunt and kill them, diseases like FIP, Feline Leukemia, and Feline AIDS are transferred by fights and grooming as its in their saliva.

This year is EXTREMELY bad!

Rabies, bobcat fever, and not one but TWO human deadly diseases carried by fleas -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zes8NH2hFU
https://studyfinds.com/texas-stray-cats-fleas-linked-diseases/

if you are STILL letting your cats outside, SHAME ON YOU!!! Should be considered animal neglect at this point.
https://www.kltv.com/2026/06/06/east-texas-veterinarian-sees-upticks-ticks-fleas/

I am seeing WAY too many posts of "my cat is missing!" it wouldn't be missing if you kept it inside where you know where its at at ALL TIMES. I had inside/outside cats and as soon as 1 came up missing, the other was put inside. its been 5yrs and he still tries to escape but at least i know he is SAFE. He may not be completely happy but he is safe, fed, and inside in the AC. You are the one who is giving your kids anxiety and stress every time your cat goes missing. If they found its body hit on the road or coming home to die after eating a poisoned rat or something, that trauma is on you. YOU are the adult and can stop it all by just keeping your cats inside. If you insist on your cat(s) being outside, look into a CATIO. Its a cat patio and you can find them at walmart.com and amazon for less than $200. That's a SMALL fee to pay to know your cats are safe. A catio does not stop fleas from hopping to your cats but its better than the TONS of other things that could hurt and kill them. Keep flea/tick prevention on them even in your backyard or catio.

“We are having the worst flea and tick season that we’ve had in the last 10 years,” said Dr. Gary Spence with Spence and White Veterinary Hospital in Tyler.

07/08/2026

You all have got to stop letting your cats be outside free roaming. There is not one but two viruses going around affecting outdoor cats specifically and one of them is fatal to humans.

If you INSIST on allowing your cat outside, look into a catio. It's a patio for cats. It won't stop fleas from hopping off of passing critters onto your cats through the fence but it will keep your cats from free roaming a lot further out increasing the potential of coming across another cat or critter.

We've had an uptick in coyote and bobcat sightings, Black Bear is back. There are TONS of stray, dumped, roaming dogs that could easily maul or hurt your cat. They had the potential to be introduced to things like antifreeze which is very sweet and attractive to animals, poisons, poisoned animals like mice and such. There are cat transferable diseases and viruses from fighting or the transfer of saliva just by having a stray cat SNEEZE on them, they can get FIP and it's a death sentence. Feline leukemia and feline AIDS are also transferred just by fussing and fighting or the transfer of saliva by grooming each other. I was a vet tech for over a decade and I saw plenty of them. One of my mom's personal cats caught feline leukemia from a stray mom cat that showed up on the property and she died within 2 years. She was a 4yr old cat.

I won't get into the documented researched proof of what domesticated house cats do to nature. They absolutely devastate the surrounding population of birds, lizards, snakes, moles, etc.

All these posts about your missing outdoor cat could be avoided and you wouldn't have the anxiety if your cat was inside where you knew where it was 24/7. You give yourself that anxiety. You cause your own children the stress, anxiety , and trauma of the possibility of losing their cat every time you let it outside. It's your own fault. Whatever happens to the cat when it's outside, is your fault. You had a choice and you made the worst one by allowing them to go outside where they are unsupervised.

At least look into a catio if you insist on continuing to letting them out. You can get one for less than $200. For $200, I'd take that as a very small price to pay for not having panic attacks and anxiety everytine my cat didn't come home. For the peace of mind, it's worth it.

https://www.kltv.com/2026/05/19/vets-warn-pet-owners-bobcat-fever-is-now-affecting-domestic-cats-heres-what-know/

07/04/2026

Why am I so popular lately? Lol I've had a ton of new followers, people emailing and DMing me about donating and volunteering! Thank you all for the love and support!!! 🙏 ❤️ I'll keep fighting the good fight and continuing to help the community where I can especially when it comes to the stray/dumped/overpopulation situation!

06/30/2026

This is why I fight breeders, pet stores, puppy mills, irresponsible inexperienced backyard breeders, etc.

There are WAY too many dogs and cats. We do NOT need their puppies. They don't NEED our money lining their pockets. When every shelter and rescue are FULL.... OVERFLOWING with dogs and many are FULL blood! Just like what these damn breeders sell. For A FRACTION OF THE COST!!! Why pay over $1k for a puppy when the breeders haven't even done the necessary genetic and hereditary testing necessary, when they haven't given them their shots or taken them to the vet, when they will charge $1500 for a dog, take it back free for "any reason" then RESELL it again for over $1k and make DOUBLE the money on the same dog. They don't heavily vet potential adopters to insure they go to homes that are a perfect fit for said family and their needs/schedule, making sure potential adopters do lots of research on the breed BEFORE taking their money. THEY are scammers.

Breeders should be regulated heavier, harsher regulations limiting how many litters they can have a year, forcing them to do the necessary testing BEFORE breeding, FORCING them to spay and neuter puppies before sale OR require new owners to have their puppy fixed in the contract. Allowing FULL BREEDING RIGHTS to inexperienced potential breeders are ADDING to the issue. More untested unwanted puppies all because someone wants to make money off animals. THEY are as bad if not worse than ANIMAL FLIPPERS. Those dogs are just there to pop out puppies and make their owners money, first come first serve no questions asked.

Do you know how these pure bred dogs end up in shelters and rescues? BREEDERS!!!

Probably sold them to a family who couldn't keep the puppy or handle it when it goes through teething or something, who didn't do the necessary research or ask their landlord first. Breeders are the absolute worst!

Don't spend $1k on a puppy. You can ADOPT a puppy for less than $100 at most rescues, then the rest of your money can go to vet appointments, medications, spay/neuter surgery, vaccines, bed, crate, leash, collar, toys, treat, food, bowls, blankets and STILL have money left over for training or anything unexpected.

I doubt these breeders have ever donated to a shelter or rescue to help their cause. Never even sent 1 puppy's worth donation to ANYTHING that helps the community. They are self centered, aa$$holes.

Report every single post you see!!! It's against Facebook TOS to sell animals and it should be against Nextdoor TOS too!!! Breeders make TONS of money off their puppies, they do NOT need help SELLING their dogs. Real, reputable respectable responsible breeders have websites and a WAITING LIST of people who want to adopt. If they are advertising, they aren't doing something. They aren't doing the necessary testing on their dogs, not background checking buyers, not vetting their litters, or something. They are SKIMPING out on something or have some sort of shady, red-flag throwing "principals" or ways they do things.

Help me continue to stand and fight against breeders!!!

Dallas and Fort Worth animal shelters are severely over capacity. Officials urge residents to adopt or foster pets immediately.

06/18/2026

Eww stalkers are gross! Love how I ask for no contact, block them, and they still went on another social media AND MY EMAIL to HARASS and STALK me on other avenues when they didn't get their way over there and then to try and be annoying by further harassing me by making comments on a bunch of my posts. Lmao how mature! So, they got blocked on all that too! I asked for no contact and they are so butthurt I was airing their dirty secrets they kept harassing and stalking me even after I told them to leave me alone and blocked them. Heads up people! This is who is taking your money! Can you believe if you had an issue with one of their prized overbred overpriced puppies?

Gross behavior from gross irresponsible irreputable backyard breeders who have no business breeding.

Thank goodness for group chats, hidden posts, private groups, and other things that certain people can't see and intrude upon lol My story is still being told!

I wont EVER shut up and stop spreading awareness and THE TRUTH! ;)

Just love how they threaten to bring up things like your criminal record..... the only thing I have on my record is from 2001 lmao guess people don't change after 25 years lmao get real and grow up.

Lmao people be WILD. If I ever saw the truest definition of KARENS, I found them today and they live in HLR SELLING high priced, over bred, untested dogs for $1k+ lmao

06/07/2026

In regards to the Nextdoor App...

There's so many darn posts on that app SELLING puppies and dogs....

selling backyard bred mixed breed dogs for nearly $1000 - as per Facebook community rules, Nextdoor should also look into implementing a rule that selling animals or animal parts is against the rules too. Way to many dog sellers on here(and on there) while every rescue and shelter are so full they are having to euthanize even more pets a month.

Most these dogs have never been tested for genetically or hereditary diseases. I doubt a single dam or sire has had their hips, elbow, or eyes checked.

STOP freaking supporting or allowing these people to continue doing this. REAL reputable respectable breeders do not need help by advertising their puppies. Most breeders have websites and have long list for waiting for litters that haven't even been born yet. Papers can be faked or tweaked and do NOT mean you'll get a good bloodline with minimal health issues.

Doodles and pomskies are ... MIXED breed dogs that cannot be papered that anyone can breed so why are you paying more than a reasonable adoption fee? Less than $100 is what most rescues and shelters charge for an adoption fee. Anyone can go and get a poodle and a Labrador or another dog and breed and have a mixed breed puppy boom you have a labradoodle.

There is absolutely no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog or cat. A simple Google search will teach you that. There are some breeds that shedless and that have less enzymes in their saliva so they don't cause as much of a reaction but there is absolutely no breed that is truly hypoallergenic. Don't feed into the hype!

Report every single backyard breeder post you see and let's help make Nextdoor(and Facebook) even better by getting these breeders off the platform!

They do not need our help lining their pockets when too many full blood dogs(you can even find doodles) in shelters and rescues. There are even rescues that are breed specific. All you have to do is Google " doodle rescues East Texas" or for example say you are looking for a husky, Google "husky rescues East Texas" and BOOM ! Full blood dogs from breeders just like these advertising on here for A FRACTION OF THE PRICE!!!

Instead of spending $800-1200 for a puppy, wouldn't you rather spend $80 on an adoption fee then use the rest on - kennel, crate, dog food, treats, p*e pads, soft canned food, bed, toys, treats, leash, collar, shampoo, flea/tick meds, heartworm meds, harness, doggy car seat belt, etc.... PLUS also have money on the side for any unexpected future vet visits, surgeries, vaccinations, or medications needed.

NO one needs to pay more than $100 for ANY dog when there are many exactly like it sitting in shelters, rescues, and foster homes RIGHT NOW!

So.... I'm reporting each post on there I see.... under "other" then putting down "goes against personal values or politics."

And I would IMPLORE everyone to start doing the same too! You could even report it under as "spam - promotional" or "personal fundraising" or just general spam.

Under Facebook rules it does fall under selling something illegal. So report!!!

Let's make this community and these apps better!

06/07/2026

We have gotten four calls to take in iguanas just in the last week. We are begging anyone interested in buying/adopting an iguana, to please make sure you know what you are in for with this species. Sure they are gorgeous and brightly colored; especially when you see that little baby. But they are extremely high maintenance lizards and require very specific care from proper surface basking temps, high humidity, ambient temps, uv, and a very large sealed enclosure (to maintain 85% + humidity). Not to mention, when males especially hit sexual maturity; can be dangerous if you do not know what you’re doing. In general as well; not just males. This species requires trust building in order for them to learn you are not a threat and learn to tolerate human interaction. It’s always best to build a large enclosure right away as well; even for babies; if possible. This will not only save you time and money from upgrading; but allow the baby to be able to run and explore more at its smaller size.

Iguanas have sharp serrated teeth for ripping apart vegetation; they can leave a nasty bite needing stitches and a tail that is a weapon for defense that can leave welts. These are definitely not beginner reptiles by any means and are a 20-30 year commitment if taken care of properly. We know they are beautiful lizards and very common, but also very common to die early in captivity or given to rescues due to their demeanor being defensive. With proper trust building though, they are amazing animals. Dedication is needed! We are always here to help pass along updates husbandry information if needed as well. So when you see that cute little brightly colored lizard for sale or for adoption; please know what you’re getting into before acquiring.

We have a hard time taking in iguanas as there is not enough space for us having large cages until they get adopted. Nor do we have Foster’s at the moment willing to take them on. They can easily take half a year to potentially get adopted to the right home as we of course make sure those inquiring have a proper set up ect. Iguanas may be beautiful, but they are just not for everyone. So please be honest with yourself; is this the lizard for me, can I handle this and provide proper care and handling techniques?

**Clifford here in the picture, is not up for adoption. He came in about three years ago. This Brazilian red stays with the sanctuary as an ambassador. Picture was used to show size for iguanas.

05/24/2026