General Care Discussion :: dilemma re: turtle re-homing

[windowsforeyes]

Hello. I have a problem involving two RES that I rescued 2 years ago. A co-worker had bought them in Chinatown for his little sister who was staying with him over the summer. Of course, when she left he no longer wanted them. He brought them into work to see if anyone wanted them, and if no one took them he was going to euthanize them. I got on the web to learn more about them and came across this site (it was a lifesaver!). Looking at what they needed, I realized how badly they were being mistreated so I took them in. I knew from the get-go that we wouldn't be able to keep them forever, but I didn't realize how hard they'd be to re-home even after I got all of the proper living requirements together.

The turtles are Oliver and Lucy, Ollie is now ~5" and Lucy is ~4.5", and I'm pretty sure they're both female. All I have for them is a 55 gallon tank and they were doing alright (even though I know this isn't the proper amount), but then one got aggressive toward the other a couple of months ago. I came home to a turtle with a part of her tail bitten off. I quickly separated them using egg crate down the center of the tank, and it's been basically makeshift since then.

I live in a 450 sq ft apartment so I don't have space for more than one tank and I'll be living in at least this small of a place for the next 5 years, and definitely be moving out of state next fall which is an added complication. I really love these guys and it breaks my heart to have to do this, but I simply cannot take care of them the way that they deserve and I want them to be in a good home (which is what I wanted for them from the beginning). I've contacted a number of turtle rescue places but haven't had any luck. I can't find any functioning ones in Massachusetts (I live in the Boston area), and I want to be sure that I'm giving them to someone who will take care of them properly.

So basically I took these guys in to prevent them from being mistreated and dying, but now, two years later, I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions of a rescue place, or know of anyone who is looking to take in one or two turtles? I have a 55 gallon tank, Rena XP3 filter, and UVA/UVA heat lamp that I can donate. It can't house both of them, obviously, but would at least be enough for one of them for a little while.

Please let me know if you have any ideas or advice (or questions). I *really* appreciate it.

[worldpeace]

I tried google-ing some shelters in your area but could find any either. I know a very good one but it wouldn't help you since it's in Canada, in the Toronto area.

I think your best chance is to try to re-home them by yourself. Try asking around or maybe you could advertise on a website like craigslist. I know this is not the greatest idea and you desperately want them to go to a good home, but at least give it a try. Maybe you'll find someone who has had some experience with turtles or at least is knowledgeable about how to care for them.

Maybe someone on this forum can take them.

By the way, I just want to say that it is very obvious how much you care for these two turtles. They are lucky to have you as their owner.

[theartbook35]

The New England area doesn't have a lot of shelters, really. The best advice I can offer you is to make an ad on craigslist.com, or give them to the Humane Society. The humane society does NOT euthanize animals, they work very hard to find them homes.

I know a lot of people on here say there are tons of turtles sitting in shelters, but, if you walk into a shelter and see dog, dog, cat, dog, cat, cat, dog, turtle, that turtle is gonna stick out like a sore thumb.

[mike hill]

win-eys -- Gosh! This happens all the time. Many, many years ago I did the same thing and stuck with it. Your suggestion to give all the equipment with the turtles is a good one. Try the CL route and include a photo. I lived in NH at one time and had I needed to restock or start over this would have been a good deal. Good Luck

[marisa]

Try another turtle site: www.turtleforum.com www.turtletimes.com for example.

[jonreif]

I live in a 450 sq ft apartment so I don't have space for more than one tank and I'll be living in at least this small of a place for the next 5 years, and definitely be moving out of state next fall which is an added complication. I really love these guys and it breaks my heart to have to do this, but I simply cannot take care of them the way that they deserve and I want them to be in a good home (which is what I wanted for them from the beginning). I've contacted a number of turtle rescue places but haven't had any luck. I can't find any functioning ones in Massachusetts (I live in the Boston area), and I want to be sure that I'm giving them to someone who will take care of them properly.

So basically I took these guys in to prevent them from being mistreated and dying, but now, two years later, I don't know what to do. Does anyone have any suggestions of a rescue place, or know of anyone who is looking to take in one or two turtles? I have a 55 gallon tank, Rena XP3 filter, and UVA/UVA heat lamp that I can donate. It can't house both of them, obviously, but would at least be enough for one of them for a little while.

Please let me know if you have any ideas or advice (or questions). I *really* appreciate it.

First off god belss you! even a 55 halfed is better than dead

second and I may get slamed for this but try calling a local PETCO as locally they have 2 adults for adoption and they provide more than enough space over 2 huge devided tanks for the sliders, now again im not sure if all petco are the same but this local one is 2 thumbs up and gets my business as the conditions are great and they rescue fish, turts, birds, etc

hope this helps


ALSO, as a footnote we have 2 dedicated petco staff dealing with turtles and they really do know their stuff and are both owned by several turt's Id feel 100% comfortable leaving a turtle in their care but again check it out as I cant say the same for all petco and some may be awful

[windowsforeyes]

Thank you all for your responses. I really appreciate it. I'm going to check out the various options, we'll see how it goes...