We do NOT take sliders! Contacting us about sliders or other non-native pet species will not get a response. Keep reading for help on where to go for red-eared sliders and other non-native pets.
Pet turtles is not what we do here, but a lot of people don’t really know the difference between wild and pet turtles, nor what to do when their pet turtle needs rehoming. Since I am frequently asked for help, I’ve decided to put all the places I usually refer people to in one spot, right here, for you to peruse. 99% of the questions I get about someone wanting to surrender their pet turtle involve a red-eared slider, which are super-difficult to find homes for because they get big, and (like all turtles) live a long time. They are also invasive in most parts of the world, and super-illegal to dump them (or any non-native species) into the wild.
The other thing I often get asked about are native turtle species that people “rescued” (read: kidnapped) from the wild when it was a cute little hatchling and “all of a sudden” it’s too big to care for or looks sick. Native turtle species ARE animals I can and should take in (common snapping, eastern painted, musk, bog, box, wood, and spotted turtles, plus diamondback terrapins). If you’re not sure if the turtle you have is native, a fellow rehabber put together a great guide here, or you can take a look at the state’s turtle page here. It is illegal to possess native wildlife without the proper permits, so if you are in possession of a native turtle that you need to rehome, please contact me. If it is healthy and was only in captivity for a very short amount of time and you know exactly where it came from, there is a chance it can go back to the wild. Otherwise, I’ll be looking for a licensed nature center or zoo/aquarium to take it in. Either way, native turtles need a rehabber.
For all other species, there are a variety of places that can help you. Here is a list of places to try if you need to rehome your pet turtle (or if you are looking to adopt a pet turtle and want to bypass the sometimes exploitative pet store supply chain and actually help an animal that needs it):
A red-eared slider website with a directory of places that will accept them across the nation and the world (may or may not be up to date):
http://www.redearslider.com/links_adoptions_rescues.html
Search for your local SPCA or pound/animal shelter/animal control. Call them and ask if they take surrendered pet turtles. Not all of them do, so call before you just show up with an animal and get turned away. They may suggest contacting a nature center, zoo, or aquarium, but I don’t recommend it. These places have finite resources and just like rehabbers, can’t usually waste them on people’s unwanted pets. Unless you have a rare species that would actually make for an interesting exhibit, don’t bother them.
New England Herpetological Society: https://neherp.com/adoptions/
You also may want to use a rescue locator to see who near you accepts turtles (again, don’t just go by what’s online; call them before showing up):
https://www.adoptapet.com/animal-shelters
http://www.tortoise.com/turtle-rescue-centers-in-usa.html
While they don’t specialize in turtles, the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter in Branford, CT has occasionally taken in and rehomed turtles in the past, so it may be worth it to call and see if they have room for one more: https://www.branford-ct.gov/departments/animal-shelter
Rescue Me Small Animal Placement in Berlin, CT has done turtles in the past, but may not always have room for them, so contact them on their Facebook page.
The Bridgeport Animal Control in Bridgeport, CT has at times taken in/adopted out unwanted turtles that are located in Bridgeport, so take a look at their Facebook page.
Northeast Reptile Rescue located in Hamden, CT Facebook page (not to be confused with North East Reptile Rescue, which is in the UK).
Willa’s Way in Middletown, CT Facebook Page. Seems to do mostly lizards and birds, but also sometimes turtles.
Pandemonium Rainforest Project in Deep River, CT Website has a curated collection of rescued exotic pets, mostly birds, but have occasionally taken turtles to adopt out.
A Shedding Chance Reptile Rescue in New London, CT Facebook Page. Does mostly snakes and lizards but also sometimes turtles.
Boomer’s Best Buddies in Andover, CT Website. Mostly cats and other small, warm-blooded animals, but sometimes dogs, and sometimes reptiles.
Turtle Rescue League in Massachusetts: http://www.turtlerescueleague.org/
There are some sites that let owners list their own pets for rescue:
https://reptile.rescueme.org/Connecticut
While not local, here are some organizations that may take your turtle but you would need to pay for reptile-safe shipping and contact them first (MATTS also has a page of alternatives to rehoming your turtle including tips on how to make it easier to care for):
Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society – MATTS (Maryland)
Herps Alive (Ohio)
Chattahoochee Nature Center (Georgia)
Reptile Rapture (Wisconsin)
Herp Haven (Maine)
You may also want to try posting on social media, but not directly to your own timeline where nobody who isn’t friends with you will ever see it (and I imagine you’ve already asked all your friends if you’re looking here for rehoming help). Facebook and NextDoor have town-specific and neighborhood-specific groups where people often post about pets. There are also pet-specific groups on Facebook and turtle-specific groups on Facebook for just about any locality. It is up to you to properly examine any online group you join and person you plan on giving your pet to for safety and responsibility. I am not liable in any way whatsoever if you go to one of these groups and have a negative experience. That being said, the ones you may want to try if you’re in Connecticut are (in descending order of credibility):
Connecticut Turtle Society
Connecticut Reptile Connection
ct reptiles and pets
Free Pets in CT
Connecticut Free Pets
CT Reptile Adoption/ Free Reptiles & Supplies
Free Animals of CT and Approved Rescues
You may also want to just google [your species of turtle] + rescue or [your species of turtle] + adoption. You might not find a place local, but if you’re willing to travel or pay for reptile-specific-safe shipping, it could really help. Also, don’t be stingy. Nobody is going to pay you for a turtle you don’t want nor its enclosure (which is probably too small for its needs anyway), regardless of how much money you paid for it when it was new. If you find someone willing to take on a lifelong commitment, be grateful. Most rescues won’t charge you to take in an unwanted animal, but they would appreciate a donation if you can afford one.
Things to keep in mind when rehoming your pet over the internet:
- Not everyone in animal or pet or rescue groups are kind souls with the best interests of the animals in mind.
- Not everyone who wants to adopt a pet turtle really understands what it needs. They are a lifelong commitment that take up a lot of space and need specialized care and are hard to find veterinarians for and even harder to rehome when they are unwanted.
- You may want to bring a friend to visit the person who is adopting your animal and see their setup to make sure it is big enough, done correctly, etc.
- You may want to interview them thoroughly about why they want a pet turtle, what they think its needs are, how they are prepared to meet its needs, etc.
- If someone is unwilling to show you their setup in person or through a live video chat, that may be a red flag. (What are they hiding?)
- If you join a pet rehoming group and the same person comments on nearly every adoption post, that may be a red flag (it is unlikely any one person has the space for every adoptable turtle to be properly cared for, and they may be a hoarder or they may be collecting animals for illicit meat/parts markets or other nefarious purposes).
- If someone asks for money to take your animal, that is also a red flag (and exchanging money turns the transaction from adoption to sale which may have legal ramifications in your area).
- Finding a quality adopter takes time, and if you are so desperate to get rid of your animal that you aren’t properly vetting who you’re giving it to, you may be doing that animal great harm.
If you’ve had good luck rehoming your pet turtle with a group not listed here, or you are part of a group that rehomes pet turtles, let me know, and I’d be happy to add it to the list.
And last, but not least, I occasionally have adoptable foster turtles in my care because of special circumstances. If you would like to see who is looking for a forever home, check out this post (updated as needed).
Turtle Haven 