redearslider.com

I was at a nearby 99¢ store and they had red eared sliders for sale 2 in a tiny little tank. The tanks were all stacked up 3 high with no heat or lighting that I saw. I got these 2 guys because I just felt so bad for them. I knew there were regulations with turtles. I was under the impression the state of PA only sold turtles for educational purposes. But this store was selling these guys, and I don't think they're more than 3" head to foot, max. One of them looks like maybe 2".

What should I do? First off, I'm not even sure I can handle 2 at a time, but they're certainly better off here than being left at that place. And where can I report them to? Is there somewhere I can call and have them checked out and taken care of?

Anapsid.org has listings of local reptile veterinarians, and I seem to recall that this site does too (is that right? Anyone?)

You can read through this site, it has lots of great information on how to care for these turtles, and decide if you want to keep them. They will need a habitat, special lighting and heating, and a varied diet. They probably also need a visit with a vet to make sure they are healthy.

Thanks so much for caring about them!

Your local game warden is one person you can report them to. If the store was in a mall you can call up the mall and tell them. And call a vet, the vet can help you find someone to report them to, just call your own vet if you want because usually they know another vet that can take care of turtles near you. Like the post above you look on this site site for help and we'll help you out the best we can.

I'm in PA too.. and it's a FEDERAL law that turtles of any kind are not to be sold under 4" unless for educational purposes.. blah blah.. but they get around it all the time. I believe you should report them to the FDA, not the game warden as it's a federal law. I think there are others who have reported this sort of thing and some have had a minor sucess and others have had none. There are a few things that you may want to keep in mind. I've heard/read that when a place is shut down and the turtles retrieved that they are destroyed. Also, by buying them from these places, it only encourages them to keep selling them to others. I know it's VERY hard to pass them up though..

reptilegrrl: yes there is a post on herp vets.. It's under Urgent Care.

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=370 (for US and elsewhere)
http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12 (Canada)

Thank you, Carol I thought there was one around somewhere but I'm so tired I thought I might have been imagining it (It's been a long day.)