Brandy Tislow is giving a number of owner-surrendered monkeys a safe space to call home in the Coastal Bend.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It’s hard to believe Lox and Ollie were just two inseparable friends.
But in three short years, they would pave the way for something much bigger — bringing a new meaning to the term “monkey business” to Brandy Tislow’s life.
“This is my life every single day,” she said. “It’s crazy.”
For Tislow, the pair would change her life and open her heart — and home — to even more primates in need of a safe space.
“We started getting calls from people wanting to owner-surrender,” she said.
Like Bella, who was smuggled in from another country.
“Bella came to us as an urgent owner-surrender the night before Thanksgiving,” Tislow said. “She had two options: here, or the San Antonio Zoo.”
Tislow has amassed her own jungle, with 10 primates under her roof.
But it’s not all fun and games.
She uses her social media platforms for education, as well as awareness, about the dangers of exotic smuggling and responsible ownership.
“Corpus Christi is an illegal city,” she said. “You can’t obtain, or own, a primate in the city.”
Tislow does have her USDA license, which allows her to not only exhibit her monkeys on social media, but welcomes visitors to interact with them, which can be therapeutic.
“I get emotional because we are so blessed with the support we’ve gotten,” she said. “It’s allowed us to take in owner-surrenders and provide this for them.”
Lox and Ollie are branching out and joining forces with the traveling Houston Exotic Reptile and Pet Show, better known as HERPS, to continue that work in Corpus Christi.
“It’s one of those things,” said HERPS’ Shawn Grey. “You see people walking around with a primate and think ‘I want to get a monkey.’ You have no clue how difficult it is to care for one of those. It’s like having a toddler for the rest of your life.”
If you want to meet Brandy Tislow and her amazing monkeys, follow their journey on TikTok @lox_and_ollie, or head out to the HERPS expo reptile show in Robstown Saturday and Sunday.