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Kaylee Ortega | Pre-Vet 🩺🐾

@kaylee__ort

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followers

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Aspiring DVM | TNVR Advocate | Feline Medicine & Welfare | Urban Wildlife Education | 700+ Animal Care Volunteer Hours

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Did you know this common USF resident is North America’s largest duck species?

#muscovyduck #ducklings #usfbulls #usfcampuswildlife

Sources:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Muscovy_Duck/overview
https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/birds/waterfowl/muscovy-ducks/
https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW193 taken in University of South Florida by @kaylee__ort

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2 months ago

Earlier this month, I was contacted by @anika.gretel about a small Chihuahua who had been abandoned outside an apartment complex for two days. After learning about her situation, I went to rescue her and brought her to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, where she could receive the care and attention she deserved.

During her examination, it was discovered that she was approximately 5 years old, weighed just 6 pounds, and was neither spayed nor microchipped. Thankfully, her story didn’t end with being abandoned, and I’m so happy to share that Bambi has officially been adopted!

Experiences like this reinforce my passion for animal welfare and the importance of advocating for animals who cannot advocate for themselves. I’m incredibly grateful to Anika and everyone at @humanesocietytampa who helped give Bambi a second chance at a safe and loving home! 🩷🐶 taken in Humane Society of Tampa Bay by @kaylee__ort

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4 hours ago

Meet the Common gallinule, a vocal wetland bird with a very distinctive look!

#usfcampuswildlife #commongallinule #usftampa #wildlife

Sources:
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Gallinule/overview
https://edisto.org/common-gallinule/ taken in University of South Florida by @kaylee__ort

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14 days ago

Nearly every month for the past year and a half, I have had the opportunity to volunteer with Tampa Bay Strays, helping rescued cats and kittens find loving homes while educating potential adopters about responsible pet ownership.

This month, instead of our usual adoption event at Pet Supermarket, we attended the 39th Annual Blessing of the Animals at St Clement’s Episcopal Church.

The event was a wonderful opportunity to introduce adoptable cats to members of the community, promote adoption, share helpful information about cat care, and answer questions about TNVR and community cats. Events like these are an important part of rescue work. They provide adoptable animals with greater exposure while giving us the opportunity to educate and connect with the community.

I’m always grateful for opportunities to support animal welfare while spending time with cats so deserving of loving homes! I’m proud to volunteer with Tampa Bay Strays and grateful to the organization’s leaders, Patricia Tilchin and Laura Langfield, for their continued dedication to cats in our community. by @kaylee__ort

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16 days ago

I had such an amazing weekend attending and volunteering at the 2026 FelineVMA Annual Conference!!🐱🩺

I had the opportunity to attend lectures on FIV & FeLV and fungal infections in felines, taught by the incredibly knowledgeable Dr. Petra Černá, @crazy_cat_vet 🩷

I also participated in the Feline Euthanasia Techniques Workshop, led by Dr. Kathleen Cooney, founder of the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA).

As an aspiring feline-focused veterinarian, I’m incredibly grateful for opportunities like this to learn from professionals dedicated to advancing feline standards of care. The future is feline!! taken in Ft Lauderdale Convention Center by @kaylee__ort

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19 days ago

Meet the Southern Black Racer 🐍

#usfcampuswildlife #snake #floridawildlife #usf #urbanwildlife

Sources:
https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/black-racer/
https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/waltonco/2026/05/22/the-southern-black-racer/
https://www.britannica.com/animal/reptile/Chemoreception
https://a-z-animals.com/animals/southern-black-racer/
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/wildlife/pdf_files/outreach/fact_sheets/blackracerpdf.pdf taken in USF by @kaylee__ort

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5 months ago

Did you know that these caterpillars turn into moths? 🐛

#usfcampuswildlife #usftampa #caterpillar #insects #whitemarkedtussockmoth

Sources:

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/whitemarked-tussock-moth

https://www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/publications-resources/insect-mite-guide/orgyia-leucostigma

https://a-z-animals.com/animals/tussock-moth-caterpillar/ taken in University of South Florida by @kaylee__ort

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7 months ago

Did you know this about eastern gray squirrels? 🐿️

#usfcampuswildlife #easterngraysquirrel #usftampa

Sources:

https://www.raritanheadwaters.org/2020/04/13/creature-feature-eastern-gray-squirrel/

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2023/11/29/stories-of-gratitude-gray-squirrel/

https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Sciurus_carolinensis/ taken in University of South Florida by @kaylee__ort

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7 months ago

Did you know ~5.8 million pets enter U.S. shelters each year?

So many are waiting. Be their someone, adopt 🐱🤍

(ASPCA Shelter Statistics)

#adoptdontshop #sheltercat #animalrescue #adoptorshopresponsibly taken in Humane Society of Tampa Bay by @kaylee__ort

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8 months ago

😸 taken in Tampa, Florida by @kaylee__ort

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9 months ago

Whatcha doing up there? 🦆🌳

@usouthflorida taken in University of South Florida by @kaylee__ort

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9 months ago

Rest in peace, Harry 🐐🪽

#farmanimal #vet #goatfarm by @kaylee__ort

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10 months ago