Other Turtle Discussion

Here's the breakdown. I'm moving to Northern California for college in a month, but I have yet to find a willing owner to re-home my two RES turtles with. I've learned a lot on this forum, and I've become an above average RES owner because of it. However, anyone willing to take one of my turtles is enough. I've asked relatives, friends, and just people if they want my smaller one (about 2.5 shell inches), because we all know the smaller ones attract the eye. No takers. I called local reptile shops if they'd take them, but we all know 4 inches shell length is the legal size. My biggest one is so close to that size, but still at 3.5 inches. I know one of the turtle commandments is never let domesticated turtles out into the wild. I DO NOT WANT TO DO THAT. However...I'm truly running out of options. Are there places that put pets to rest? Euthanasia? I'd honestly rather do that than let them loose, pretend not to feed them, or leave them with my parents. Although they'd still be alive with my parents, it's not a hobby (or in their case, burden) they decided to maintain.

Just as a shot, have you tried the California Turtle & Tortoise Club? http://www.tortoise.org Perhaps someone there would know of someone...

no, thanks marisa. Anybody have other advice?

Have you tried posting on sites similar to craiglists? Probably though you'd only find people looking for presents to give their little kids, which is a clear no-go. Anyway I've seen some domesticated turtles in the wild doing fine, especially since yours are still quite young and therefore not completely used to a captive enviroment. I think it'd be still better than killing them.
But try giving them out on the web, if you give the taker your set-up and spend a little time explaining to him/her how to care for turtles, it may not be so bad after all..

yes, I totally forgot about Craigslist, thanks!

There are some links here: http://www.redearslider.com/links_adopt ... scues.html

You can't convince family or friends to take them temporally? Set it up for them, simplify everything for them and if you're not moving far away, you can go back and do a maintenance on a monthly basis or even longer.

Thanks Steve, I forgot this was an actual red ear slider info site before and then the forums haha

Website

Google "fauna classifieds" and register for the forums there. Post an ad explaining your situation and hopefully you'll get some feedback. Don't try to sell them, RES are so common in the trade that you'll have difficulty even giving them away. Are you includiing any gear? That will entice people and get it done faster. Also look up any reptile/turtle clubs and associations in your state. Rescues are generally overpopulated but a county zoo would be worth checking out. If you absolutely, positively have no other option, then you could release them, but only do so in an area that already has RES if at all possible. I rescued 3 turtles from being mercy killed, kept them over winter, then released when it got warm. Good luck, keep us informed.

- spike

I've tried a couple of the local turtle shelters and they both either sent me to another chapter, or bluntly explained they don't accept RES, which is understandable. I've got a person interested from my craigslist listing, which was originally $100 for the entire setup. This guy asked for just the turtles free, and I didn't mind. But he lives kind of far so I'm doubting it. If it doesn't go through, I'll most likely list the tank and stand plus the turtles for something way low if not free.

Also worth a shot: http://www.sdturtle.org/turtle_rescue.htm

Other Turtle Discussion :: Advice Needed: Re-homing turts/last resort options?

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