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Scales and Tails Animal Rescue
Scales and Tails Rescue is El Paso’s only nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming reptiles and exotic pets. Every animal that comes through our doors is given safety, care, and the chance to find a loving forever home. What makes our rescue special is the people. From neighbors who stop by to lend a hand, to volunteers who spend hours feeding, cleaning, and simply showing kindness, our community makes this work possible. With your support, we’re not just saving animals — we’re creating connections and second chances. We’re excited to grow into education programs that will bring these incredible animals into classrooms, and we’re preparing pets to one day provide companionship to Veterans. But right now, your gift directly helps us feed, house, and care for the animals in our care today. On this El Paso Giving Day, join us in making a difference. Together, we can rescue the overlooked, care for the forgotten, and show compassion to some of the most unique pets in our city.

Causes: Animals, Education, Environment

At Scales and Tails, our mission is simple yet powerful: to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome reptiles and exotic pets while enriching the lives of people in our community. We envision a world where every animal, no matter how unique or misunderstood, has the chance to thrive — and where people discover compassion, healing, and growth through their connection with these incredible creatures.

For students, our animals become teachers. In classrooms across El Paso, young people learn responsibility, empathy, and respect for living things by feeding, handling, and caring for pets they may have never encountered before. They discover that when you care for something fragile, you also learn to care more deeply for yourself and for others.

For Veterans, our animals become companions. Many who have served our country return home in need of comfort and connection. By preparing and placing rescued reptiles and exotic pets with Veterans, we create bonds that support emotional and mental health while giving each animal a forever home filled with love.

And for the animals themselves, Scales and Tails is a place of second chances. Whether abandoned, neglected, or simply misunderstood, these creatures find safety, medical care, and stability until the right family comes along.

Every donation — whether it feeds a bearded dragon for a week, builds a new habitat, or helps match a pet with a Veteran — strengthens this circle of compassion. Together, we are rescuing animals, educating hearts, and honoring those who have served.

Beardie loving his new home
Chameleon Adopted!
Moe, our resident Sulcata Tortoise!
Dusk n Dawn: 2 Chinchillas ready for their forever home.
We can't do it without our volunteers!
Our animals love to get decked out for the holidays!
A ball python ready for a Veteran to pick him up!
Rescue resident red tail boa, Platano, exploring.
Recent Donors
Anonymous

$100.00

Angie and Steve Tures
Danica Lopez

$25.00

Kathryn Bohle
Grace Kontoulis
Iris Kerwin
Victor Lopez

$25.00

Kevin Floyd
Christi Cooney
Sayde Mendivil

$20.00

Julio Valenzuela
Maritza Mena-Malave

$25.00

Reagan Bruce
Tiffany Biggs
Jerald Wilson

$10.00

Ana Mena

$25.00

Lynne Larned
Josie Karam

$50.00

Edwin Barber

$10.00

KIMBERLY Lemons
Ictoria Montelongo
Brian Carter
Angela Reyna
Mariela Garcia

$10.00

Aliris Lopez

$10.00

Susan Danziger
Rick Mangus
Thomas Ward
Anonymous

$10.00

Michelle Crow
Mollie Whetten
Joseph Fulkerson