Other Turtle Discussion :: I am disgusted by this

[desmcconnell]

I’m very upset about this. I dont even think upset covers how I feel right now. My friend Alex was talking about these turtles her neighbor got and how she has to clean their tank every couple of days because they dont have a filter and would rather spend their money on drugs and asked if I wanted to go see them; I obviously said yes and this is what I saw.

No filter, no basking rock, no basking lamp, and no water conditioner. I instantly freaked out because one these are too small to be legal and two they are going to die. I got so upset by this that I told her that when she sees the owners to tell them I will pay 20, no, 40 dollars to bring these guys home and keep them with me. Alex couldnt believe how upset I got over this but I couldnt imagine keeping Reptar in any condition close to that and the fact they know they will die but dont care makes me even more angry.

I dont understand why they would get them if they would rather spend their money on drugs and partying? Why dont people research before getting turtle and see how much of a commitment it is? I realize that after spending the 40 if i get them i will probably have to shell out another 2-300 just for the tank supplies, proper food, and lets not forget the medical care they are going to need but I cant know that those turtles are in that situation.

How can anyone think this is okay??

[steve]

To many people, pets like RES are considered disposable. They start off really small, are very cute and are ridiculously inexpensive to buy and replace. Last I read, they cost about 25-50¢ from a turtle farm. You can't rely on most pet stores for advice either. It's a horrible situation but it's mainly from a lack of knowledge and enforcement.

[desmcconnell]

I dont get why, turtles are pets just like dogs or cats but without the hair. they seemed somewhat healthy when i was looking at them; Clear eyes, responsive, with a good looking shell, but its only a matter of time before the neglect starts showing. i hope i can get them before it happens

[SINI5T3R]

ya it takes quite a while for anything to start happining from being in constant water but it will happen sooner or later. it is sad how many people have there turtles like this but its impossible to go to every house and tell them what they need and even if you were able to tell everyone, 90% of people would not want to spend 200$+ on a setup and there stuff they need.

[rana]

There is a girl at work that has a res in a little tank and she says that when she remembers to feed it........ She has had the turtle for about 2 yrs and it is still only a couple of inches long. I would love to take it from her but I would be worried about putting it in with mine I have a 20 gal tank that can house it for a while but really dont have room to put it anywhere.

[sflemin2]

I hope you can get them They will probably end up letting them go if they live long enough to get big

[desmcconnell]

I have my old tank somewhere around this place, ive moved a couple times, i can put them in until they get bigger. I wouldnt be surprised at all if they were gotten rid of because they were big. My RES right now is too dominate of a male to put together with any other turtle and i have to always be giving him attention. I hope someday if i get an indoor pond or something i can put him with others.

[sflemin2]

Yeah, I was looking at the plastic feeder bins at the feed store yesterday and they were very inexpensive. I'd hate to think about how many turtles live like those guys..I really hope you can get them

[theartbook35]

When my two younger turtles suddenly wandered into my life, I immediately went out and got them a ten gallon tank, the best basking dock I could find, and saved money to get proper heating/lighting. Ten gallon tanks are cheap and they will serve the purpose for a couple of months until you upgrade.

If RES didn't cost less than goldfish, I'm sure people wouldn't consider them so easy to replace and expendable. I'd like to wish people would consider their pets FAMILY, and living things who have FEELINGS, but typically, if it is human, it means nothing to some people. The law still considers pets property.

[sflemin2]

I got my babies when I was 14 so I had no idea what I was getting into. I got them at the beach ..I knew they would grown but I didnt know they would get THIS big..I also had no idea that two $0.25 turtle would cost me thousands of dollars over the past 10 years. Thank God for the internet.. I was lost on it all. The good news is..at least for Myrtle Beach.. I think they have finally banned them. I haven't seen them for sale in years. They use to be in every beach shop you went in. Now they sell these little lizards. I hope it is a nation wide thing..I didn't see any in St. Augustine either.. or the Bahamas. Its a start!

[Bugbug]

Were you able to get them?

[desmcconnell]

they refuse to give them to anyone. i told my physical therapist about it because he has turtles and he offered to take them. He has two RES already and a tank that could fit my bedroom with plenty of room for them all but those guys refuse to give them up. Hopefully they atleast listening when i said how much needed to be improved

[Bugbug]

And once they're too big to fit in that little cage they'll probably come calling.
Some people just shouldn't be allowed pets...
sorry you couldn't get them : (

[syazman]

Gosh... I hope they wise up and realise they're being cruel