Urgent Care :: Sad sight/neglect.

[Into_the_Mystic]

My son just came home from a friends house and showed me some pictures he took of their redear slider (They thought it was a snapper ) He looks to be about 6 inches (3yrs old) big and they have him in this 15 gallon tank with no filter and just one rock.. No basking lights (they said it broke..who knows when that was.) His water is filthy and from the looks of the photo, his shell must have some sort of yuck.

I told my son to please tell them to get A LOT larger of a tank with a filter and light or to please take him to a pet store and sell him. I strongly encouraged Justin to tell them about this site and to please get some information on raising them. I/we have only had out little baby less than 3 weeks and I already know more just from this site, then they do after 3 yrs!

Just breaks my heart to see the poor fella living in those conditions. When my son comes home, I will post the pictures for y'all to see.

[Into_the_Mystic]

And another picture





No filter, or basking light... They didn't even know anything about the salmonella issues or seemed to care.

I told my son that I will print out some stuff on how to care for these guys and hope that they change his living conditions or find him a better home.

[steve]

Poor girl

Tell them to join the forum or email me if they need additional information. We'll do our best to guide them.

[Into_the_Mystic]

I told Justin to give them this sites address.. but they don't seem to care too much. Their reaction he was was kinda like "meh".

Hopefully if I keep trying, I can get through to them the injustice they are doing and that the turtle will be better off in another home if they aren't willing to change anything.

I know it's not my business, but I have to try. If they get mad, so be it.

[penelope]

Kudos for caring!
and big hugs to your son for knowing the difference between good care and bad.
Not my normal forte, buy maybe it's time try a sneaky trick...
Check and see if your local turtle rescue has room (give them a brief run down, just so they know you aren't just dumping your turtle on them), If the rescue has room, then it may be time to do a little "acting"
Give these people a little song and dance about how you know how hard it is to raise a RES, and how expensive it can be, and how stinky they can be (since they don't have a filter, odds are it's pretty smelly around there).
Offer to take him/ her "off their hands" (from the sound of it, they see it more as a chore than a pet)

If they agree to let you take on their "burden," then take him/her home and hand it over to the rescue society.
...basically, make them think you are doing them a great favor (gag)

You already have taken on the responsibility of loving your RES, so I'm not suggesting you take in another...just thinking maybe you can get the poor thing out from under their care. Sounds like your son has done what her can do (offer info).

Just a thought.
Otherwise, be content in knowing you tried.

[steve]

Those are good ideas... I know how frustrating this is.

[Into_the_Mystic]

I am not sure Beaumont Texas has a turtle rescue. I will do some research today and see whats available. I will keep y'all informed of what happens. I don't know these people personally, it is only a school buddy of my son who's house he goes over occasionally and plays. We are dealing with a 9/10 yr old child here, but hopefully he will read the information or pass it to his parents and something good will come of it. I will put my number on the paper and telling them to call me if they have any questions.

Keep your fingers crossed!

[Tokapeli]

that looks almost exaclty like Kayas tank looked when i got her, about 7 inches in a 40 gallon tank with about 3 inches of mud and a rock in the bottom. I think she is a little happier now in her 75 gallon tank. Im glad somebodys trying to help.

[RosesNKeeks]

Aww poor turtle! Good for you for trying to help

[penelope]

Well, just like seeing sick turtles at a pet store, you can only do what you can do.
Totally understand, and agree that a 9/10 year old is not an appropriate "middle man."
I like the idea of putting your phone number on the paper.
The parents can do what they want to to do, and your son can be extracted from the situation.
After all, at that age friends and school mates are so important.
Just give him a big hug and kiss for caring.
Beyond what you have already tried, if the parent have no concern then there is not much you can do.
Very sad, but unfortunately, one of those heart-sickening realities we all run across at one point or another.
I send blessings to you and your RES-loving son

[WarChief]

Your local Animal Care and Control isn't just for cat's and dogs. No creature deserves to live in those conditions. If the parents don't want to be responsible pet owners and do the right thing, then a call may be in order. Your son will most likely lose a friend but the turtle will have better care somewhere else.

[Into_the_Mystic]

You think they would go get a turtle?! I would think down here in Texas, they might laugh at me calling about a turtle.

I am going to try the old fashioned "enlighten them with information" first and see if they just didn't know any better. I really think they would give him to someone and will ask my son to ask them if we found a home for her if they would part with her. I don't think there is an attachment with her like we all have with ours.

[penelope]

sad but true.
some people have pets because they love them...others, have them just because want them.
I appreciate that you care.

[Into_the_Mystic]

They finally got the papers I printed out and will hopefully do something to make her life better. The boy from what I understand didn't really seem to care, but my son gave the papers to his Dad.
My son and I were at the baseball field earlier and there is this really big/deepish ditch that looked like it would make for a great turtle home... lots of rock/plants.. I told him that I wish they could just take their turtle there if they didn't want him. Would be better than what she is living in now.

We will see if they make any changes... Not holding my breath though.

[penelope]

Oops -
Not good to release a captive turtle into the wild. Their survival skills simply aren't geared for it.
and it propagates the already over-populated world of unwanted RES.
Nice thought though : )