Empowrd Art & Animal Outreach

06/18/2026

06/18/2026

Tortie,Shelly,Wrede,Reggie & Candy

06/18/2026

These two 🤣❤️

06/18/2026

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER: SAM MOWERY. Enter to WIN a recliner for Father's Day from McKinnon Home Furnishings

06/18/2026

 We had
The Cutest Call ❤️
June 17 at 7:33 PM
The cutest thing just happened.
Tonight, June 17 at 7:33 PM, we received a phone call from an unknown number. At first, I could barely understand the little voice on the other end. We had company over, and since I was multitasking, I put the call on speakerphone like I often do.
I answered, "Hello?"
A tiny voice answered back, "Hello. Do you have a chicken?"
My heart immediately melted.
I told her that I had chickens, and she said, "Please hear me out. I don't want you to think that I'm a scam. I know I might sound a little funny."
I couldn't help but smile.
I said, "Okay, how can I help you?"
She explained, "I just want a chicken for my mom and my dad. I just want us to have some eggs."
Then she asked the sweetest question:
"By chance, would you happen to have a chicken for around $30 or less? We don't have no more money than that. That's kind of what we're looking for."
She was so polite and sincere. She kept explaining that she only had a certain amount of money and wanted to know if it was enough to buy a chicken. She persisted in telling me exactly how much money she had saved and how badly she wanted to help her family have fresh eggs.
I told her that we usually have baby chicks available and asked if she had a heat lamp.
"No ma'am, I do not."
That's when I started thinking.
I explained that chickens are social animals and really shouldn't be alone. I also knew I had a couple of young chickens and an older bird that was due to be rehomed soon.
The more she talked, the more I realized this wasn't about getting a cheap chicken. This little girl genuinely wanted to do something special for her family.
Finally, I told her, "You know what? If you really want to buy one chicken, I'll give you three."
There was a pause.
Then I asked if she had permission from her parents to be calling me. We answer our phones at all hours because so many times people call needing emergency animal advice or simply someone to listen.
She told me she needed to ask her parents.
"Hold on. I'll call you right back."
About seven minutes later, the phone rang again.
This time there was excitement in her voice.
"Mom and Dad said we can't get them tonight. Maybe tomorrow, but if not tomorrow, then Friday. And my mom said I can have three!"
I assured her that I would save all three chickens for them whenever they were able to come.
Then I told her, "Give me $25 and I'll send you home with the chickens, some feed, and anything else you might need to get started."
This was honestly one of the most genuine phone calls I've ever received.
A little girl called a stranger and began the conversation by saying, "Please hear me out. I don't want you to think I'm a scam."
🥹
We now have an appointment scheduled, and she's going to get the chickens her heart desires.
Moments like this remind me why we do what we do.
A few weeks ago, we spent over 30 minutes helping a man who found a baby mouse under an ice machine at a convenience store. Its eyes hadn't even opened yet, and he was determined to find goat milk so he could bottle-feed and save it.
There is still so much goodness left in this world.
We meet animal lovers, advocates, rescuers, and kind-hearted people every day. But tonight, what touched me most was knowing that somewhere out there is a little girl whose parents have raised one heck of a child.
I can't wait to meet them.
I can't wait to tell them how this phone call went, because they weren't there to hear the first conversation.
Her little voice absolutely melted my heart. ❤️🐔🥚

06/17/2026

🐢 Reed’s Journey: A Second Chance for a Sulcata Tortoise 🐢
At Empowrd Art & Animal Outreach Inc., we rescue and rehabilitate also African Sulcata tortoises, one of the largest tortoise species in the world. Unfortunately, many owners are told that grass alone is enough to sustain these animals. While grasses and hay make up the foundation of a Sulcata's diet, proper long-term care requires much more than that.

A well-balanced Sulcata diet should include a variety of appropriate grasses, hays, forage plants, calcium supplementation, and carefully selected foods that help support healthy growth, shell development, and overall health. Proper humidity is also critical, especially during growth years, as inadequate humidity can contribute to shell deformities and poor development.

This beautiful girl, whom we named Reed, came to us at nearly 20 years old. Due to previous husbandry issues, including dietary deficiencies and improper humidity conditions, she has shell deformities that developed long before her arrival to her previous Rescue home .She is also significantly smaller than what would typically be expected for a Sulcata of her age.

Since arriving at the rescue, Reed has been receiving the specialized care she deserves. During Florida's hot summer months, we regularly soak portions of the enclosure to help maintain appropriate humidity levels and prevent excessive shell dryness,soaking, and misting .We also offer a variety of grasses, hays, vegetables, low amounts of sugary fruit, but as a treat and a fortified low-starch, low-sugar scientific tortoise diet to ensure she receives balanced nutrition.

One of the greatest joys in rehabilitation is discovering each animal's individual preferences. Today was a milestone for Reed as she enthusiastically began eating the same fortified diet enjoyed by our other tortoises. She is becoming softer and more friendly. She doesn’t suck herself into the shell the minute she sees humans like she did in the beginning. Seeing her willingly explore new foods and settle into her new routine is a wonderful sign that she is adjusting well to her forever sanctuary home.

Exotic animal ownership carries tremendous responsibility. Providing proper care means continually learning, adapting, and meeting the complex needs of the species in our care. In the wild, Sulcatas instinctively browse a wide variety of grasses, weeds, succulents, and native plants that help meet their nutritional requirements. Our goal is to recreate those opportunities as closely as possible while ensuring every animal receives the best care we can provide.

Reed is off to a wonderful start, and we are excited to watch her continue to thrive. Every rescue animal deserves the chance to experience proper care, good nutrition, and a life filled with comfort and dignity. ❤️🐢

Empowrd Art & Animal Outreach Inc.
Rescuing, rehabilitating, and educating one life at a time. We are also a proud FWC gopher turtle sanctuary, and certified gopher turtle Waif recipient . Our property is also for Turtle conservation . Horses turtles and parrots have been my passion and specialty for years. 

06/17/2026

https://youtu.be/rSp9U03ypU4

This is just as bad as people who pretend to want to save animals for the love of it.Not just because they come with high price tags. Do your research, support legitimate rescues.Not -for profit businesses trying to get the same perks as a nonprofit organization.

Animal shelters warn that scammers are creating fake social media a...

06/16/2026

Thank you torties mom❤️🙏

06/16/2026

👉DOCUMENTS DON'T CHANGE THE FACTS
It is interesting to see old corporate paperwork and inactive business filings suddenly being presented as proof of legitimacy after concerns have been raised.
In her own post, she claims she had a for-profit business and "didn't even need" a rescue to pull the dog. Yet the facts tell a different story.
Simply having a corporation or business registered through Sunbiz does not automatically grant someone the ability to operate as a licensed animal rescue, pull animals under rescue agreements, house animals under rescue exemptions, solicit donations for their care, or represent themselves as a rescue organization.
Animal shelters and municipal agencies have policies regarding who may pull animals, foster animals, and operate under rescue programs. Depending on the circumstances, additional licensing, inspections, zoning compliance, and animal welfare standards may also apply.
More importantly, the issue has never been whether someone once filed paperwork for a business. The issue is transparency and intent.
If someone truly had the resources, supplies, and ability to independently care for an animal, why was a rescue organization's name, reputation, resources, donations, supporters, and network needed in the first place?
The screenshots being shared only raise more questions than they answer.
A corporation filing does not make someone a rescue.
A binder labeled "Corporate Records" does not make someone accountable.
And obtaining animals while expecting others to fund their care is not the same thing as responsible ownership or adoption.
The more information that comes to light, the clearer the picture becomes.
👉People can draw their own conclusions.
The great thing about the Internet is facts is facts. You can’t delete the truth.. if you continue to read through all of the screenshots in the pictures of what this boy has truly been through and how we have come here. You will understand the total picture. I’m just providing facts in truth.