Adopting Out Pet Turtles: Finding Them A New Home

where to give away pet turtle

If you're thinking of giving away your pet turtle, it's important to know that turtles are among the most abandoned pets in the United States. This is often due to their inexpensive sale price, quick growth rate, and eventual large adult size. It is illegal to release turtles into the wild, as they are often an invasive species and can cause environmental issues for native turtles. There are several options for rehoming your turtle, including finding local resources, such as reptile shelters or rescue organisations, or rehoming your turtle independently through platforms such as Craigslist or Facebook.

Characteristics Values
Organisations Turtle Rescue League, Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary, Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society
Location Massachusetts (Turtle Rescue League)
Type of organisation Non-profit organisation, rehabilitation clinic, reptile sanctuary
Options for giving away pet turtles Rehoming on your own, opening a placement case with a rescue centre, finding local resources, humane euthanasia
Where to advertise Facebook, Craigslist, turtleforum.com, local newspaper, community bulletin boards, local vets/pet stores, adoption application on Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary website
What to do if you can't care for your turtle Be creative with your habitat, find local resources, rehome your turtle, open a placement case with a rescue centre
What not to do Never release a pet turtle into the wild

petshun

Local rescue centres

If you are looking to give away your pet turtle, it is important to remember to never release it into the wild. Turtles are the most abandoned pets in the United States, and there are several rescue centres and organisations that can help you rehome your pet turtle ethically.

The Turtle Rescue League

The Turtle Rescue League (TRL) is a licensed native turtle rehabilitation clinic and non-profit organisation located in Massachusetts. While they cannot accept turtles into their facility, they can open placement cases to help find your turtle a new home.

Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary

Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary is a rescue site for unwanted red-eared sliders, a species that is most often turned in to rescues and least adopted. They provide information and resources to help owners find the time and space to keep their turtles, as well as suggestions for rehoming them.

The Turtle Hospital

The Turtle Hospital is a small non-profit organisation in the Florida Keys dedicated to the rehabilitation of sick and injured endangered sea turtles.

In addition to these centres, there are numerous other local turtle rescue and rehabilitation organisations across the United States, such as:

  • Mid Michigan Reptile Rescue and Rehabilitation
  • Reptile Rescue of Orange County
  • Gulf Coast Turtle and Tortoise Club
  • Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society

petshun

Rehoming yourself

If you are looking to rehome your pet turtle yourself, there are several options available to you. It is important to remember that you should never release a pet turtle into the wild. This is illegal in many places and is unethical, as it can cause serious damage to native wildlife.

Firstly, you could try reaching out to your friends and family to see if anyone is able to take your turtle. This is a good option as your pet will be going to someone you know and trust. You could also try posting on Facebook, Craigslist, or turtle-specific forums such as turtleforum.com. When posting online, be sure to screen interested parties before giving your turtle away to ensure that it is going to a qualified home. You can also use resources like the Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary's adoption application as a screening guide.

Another option is to put up flyers in your local community. Try putting them up at local vets, pet stores, and community bulletin boards. You can also post ads in the office of local pet stores, veterinary offices, or community publications. Some pet stores, such as Petco and Petsmart, typically allow ads to be posted in their offices. Additionally, some animal control agencies, humane societies, and nature centers may accept turtles, although it is important to ensure that these organizations are caring for the turtles properly.

If you are unable to find a new home for your turtle, you may want to consider opening a placement case with a turtle rescue organization. For example, the Turtle Rescue League (TRL) in Massachusetts offers this service. However, keep in mind that they may not be able to accept your turtle into their facility, and you will need to continue caring for your turtle until they can locate a new home.

petshun

Online forums

There are several online forums that can help you rehome your pet turtle.

Reddit

The r/turtle subreddit is a community for turtle enthusiasts to post photos, get and give advice, and share their love of turtles. Users have recommended posting in this community to find someone near you who has experience taking care of a turtle. Another subreddit, r/turtles, is a place where you can ask for advice if you can no longer keep your pet turtle.

Turtleforum.com

Turtleforum.com is a forum dedicated to turtles and other reptiles. It includes a section for rehoming turtles, but you cannot sell a turtle if you are a new member.

Facebook

Facebook has several groups and pages dedicated to rehoming pets and wildlife, and you can also post in local groups to reach people in your area. The Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary, for example, allows people to post their sliders for adoption on their Facebook page.

Craigslist

Craigslist is another option for rehoming your turtle, but be sure to screen interested parties to ensure they know how to care for a turtle.

Turtle Rescue League

The Turtle Rescue League is a non-profit organisation and licensed native turtle rehabilitation clinic in Massachusetts. They cannot take in all turtles, but they can open a placement case for you to help find your turtle a new home.

petshun

Friends and family

If you can no longer care for your pet turtle, it is important to remember that you should never release it into the wild. This is illegal, unethical, and may cause serious damage to native wildlife. Instead, consider reaching out to your friends and family to see if they would be able to take in your turtle.

When reaching out to friends and family, be honest about the reasons why you can no longer care for your turtle. Explain the specific living standards and care requirements that are necessary to keep your turtle happy and healthy. This includes the need for a large tank or outdoor setup, proper lighting, temperature control, and a healthy diet. Be sure to mention that turtles can live for decades and require a lifelong commitment.

If your friends or family members are interested in taking in your turtle, offer to help them set up the necessary habitat and provide them with resources and information on turtle care. You can also connect them with local turtle and tortoise societies or clubs, which can be a valuable source of support and advice.

Remember that rehoming your turtle with friends or family should be a well-thought-out decision. It is important to screen potential adopters to ensure that your turtle is going to a safe and suitable home. By taking the time to find the right home, you can ensure the well-being of your turtle and provide peace of mind for yourself.

Green Sea Turtles: Claws or Not?

You may want to see also

petshun

Pet stores

If you are looking to give away your pet turtle to a pet store, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to recognize that turtles are often mistreated and forced into deplorable conditions when they are bred for pet stores to sell. Therefore, it is always recommended to first reach out to local rescue organizations and shelters to see if they can take in your turtle.

However, if you are unable to find a suitable rescue or shelter, and are considering a pet store, here are some options to consider:

When reaching out to pet stores, be prepared to provide detailed information about your turtle's age, species, health history, and current housing conditions. It is also important to ask about the store's policies on turtle care and housing, to ensure that your turtle will be placed in an appropriate and healthy environment.

While giving away your pet turtle to a pet store may be an option, it is always recommended to prioritize the turtle's well-being and try to find a suitable rescue or shelter first.

Frequently asked questions

You can give away your pet turtle to a friend or family member, or advertise for adoption on Facebook, Craigslist, or in your local newspaper. You can also contact your local reptile rescue centre, such as the Turtle Rescue League (TRL) in Massachusetts, or the Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society (MATTS) in the Mid-Atlantic states, to see if they can help you find a new home for your turtle.

If you want to surrender your turtle to an organisation like MATTS, you will need to provide the following information: species, size, how long you've had the turtle, your city and state, how soon the turtle needs to be placed, how it is currently housed (e.g. aquarium size, lighting, food), and any medical problems.

Rescue centres like MATTS and TRL often have limited capacity and cannot always take in surrendered turtles. If this is the case, they may be able to open a placement case for you and help you find a new home for your turtle. In the meantime, you will need to continue caring for your turtle.

No, you should never release a pet turtle into the wild. This is illegal in many places and can cause serious damage to native wildlife.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment