The Kentuckiana Scaletuary

06/19/2026

We’ve been hanging out at the 148th Old Settlers' Days Festival with the Lexington Volunteer Fire Department!

We’ll be back tomorrow for more fun from 4-9!

06/19/2026

We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk
(with turt in hand)

Help👏 them👏 cross👏 the👏 road👏

06/18/2026

🎥🐢 Yesterday morning, we had the opportunity to share our mission with the community through an interview with Blakely McHugh TV WLKY News, and we couldn’t be more grateful!

A huge thank you to the WLKY team for finding us & wanting to take the time to highlight the work that goes into giving injured turtles a second chance! Every turtle has a story, and we’re thankful for the chance to help tell it.

We also want to thank YOU…the Kentuckiana community, our supporters, followers, volunteers, donors, transporters, and everyone who takes the time to stop, ask questions, and learn. The response we’ve received has been incredible. Seeing so many people wanting to learn how to help turtles safely cross roads, protect nesting areas, and support wildlife rehabilitation gives us hope for the future.

Every educational program attended, every social media post shared, every turtle moved out of harm’s way, and every donation made helps create a safer world for wildlife.

The turtles may never know how many people are rooting for them, but we do! 💚

Thank you for caring. Thank you for learning. Thank you for helping us make a difference, one turtle at a time.

In case you missed us, here’s the footage from yesterday morning!

06/18/2026

The Kentuckiana Scaletuary is the only licensed reptile rehabilitation facility in Kentucky that specializes in native reptiles and their long-term care FULL STORY ⬇️

06/17/2026

✨She’s beauty & she’s grace.
She’ll bite you in the face✨

MurderDozer update!

When Murderdozer first arrived a few weeks ago after being struck by a vehicle, the injury contained freshly traumatized tissue, fractured shell, and significant inflammation. Today, we’re seeing something much more encouraging: healthy, living tissue within the wound bed!

The pink and red tissue visible in the photos tells us that her body is actively working to repair the damage. We are also encouraged that we’re not seeing some of the warning signs we worry most about, such as foul odor, heavy discharge, or widespread tissue death.
Before a turtle can rebuild shell, the body has to create a healthy foundation underneath. Think of it like rebuilding a house after a storm. You don’t start with the roof. You start with the framework.

A big girl requires a big amount of supplies & we’re starting to run low! Check out our Amazon wishlist to help us restock! Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3DEBXW88VIP0H?ref_=wl_share

Thank you to everyone following Murderdozer’s journey! Baby steps are paying off!

06/17/2026

👀👀👀

🐢🐢🐢Have you noticed more turtles on the roads recently? That’s because it’s nesting and migration season!

But here’s the sad news, The Kentuckiana Scaletuary has seen more turtles in the last six months, than it did all of last year 😩

I’m hanging out with them this morning, learning about how you can help turtles stay safe this season.

06/16/2026

Meet Skidmark.

This sassy young female Eastern Box Turtle is believed to have been struck by a bicycle while crossing a trail. She arrived with shell trauma and not one, but two ear abscesses, because apparently being hit by a bike wasn’t enough excitement for one turtle.

Despite her injuries, Skidmark is bright, alert, and already expressing strong opinions about her treatment plan.

Wildlife uses our trails too. Whether you’re walking, running, or biking, please watch where you’re going. Turtles don’t move quickly, and a collision that seems minor to us can cause serious injuries to them.

Skidmark is now safe in rehab and has a long road to recovery ahead of her. 💚🐢🚲

06/16/2026

Another day, another opportunity for a lucky turtle to have a second chance at life!

So long, friend 🥲

06/15/2026

Meet patient # 81.

This lil lady eastern box turtle was struck by a lawn mower blade, leaving a massive wound that opened into her body cavity. We’ve censored part of the injury because, while wildlife rehabilitation isn’t always pretty, we want to continue educating people without showing graphic images. We can’t do that if we gross you out all the time 🤷‍♀️

The bandage may make her look cozy, but this is a serious injury. Healing won’t happen overnight. We’re expecting her recovery to take several months of wound care, bandage changes, medications, and monitoring. Depending on how she progresses, she may end up staying with us until next summer.

Cases like this are also an important reminder that turtles, frogs, rabbits, birds, and countless other wild animals use our yards as habitat. Before mowing, take a few extra minutes to walk your yard and check for wildlife. That simple habit can prevent devastating injuries like this one and save lives.

Wildlife rehabilitation is often measured in tiny victories. Today, that victory is seeing her cleaned up, comfortable, and beginning her journey toward healing! Go girl go!

06/14/2026

We spent all day yesterday educating the public about turtle safety & native Kentuckiana species!

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Oldham County Public Library & The Mayberry Festival!