should we let him go?

Question

we have a baby water turtle, and hes getting to be to much to handle. should we let him go? he cant fend for himself since he has always been with us.

Answer 1

NO! i have three of them and they do get to be a bit much...but when you got him you made a commitment. if that ((in ANY way)) cant be kept give him to someone you know will take care of him or a pet store/rescue!

Answer 2

I can tell you this right now. Zoo's won't take him, or any other exotic for that matter. They're not a dumpster for old pets. Wildlife sanctuaries are reluctant to take exotics, especially if they aren't from the local ecosystem. Pet stores are reluctant to take animals from other people for fear of disease or simply not wanting a sick or abused animal lowering their profits (care and appearance). The only place that will take an exotic would be the SPCA, if there is one within driving distance.

This is quite a pickle. I hope next time you will settle on a mechanical or digital pet, rather than the real thing. Reptiles live for years. Lizards can reach their teens, snakes may die in their 30s and 40s, and turtles, like the one you're trying to get rid of, may reach a century. In order for a reptilian pet to work out, they will have to blend well into your routine, for years. Perhaps when you take an interest in a reptilian companion you might want to pet-sit a friend's reptile and see if they "blend" into your routine.

Releasing him into the "wild" may not kill your turtle, but if he finds a suitable mate from a similar species and starts to interbreed, then he could very well wipe out another species or a group of them. Also, your idea of releasing an unwanted pet into the wild isn't anything new. Chances are that the exact same species of turtle that you have might be roaming about in the wild because of someone just like you. So releasing the turtle into the wild doesn't really solve your problem, and may create a new problem.

I hope that turtle finds someone who will care for it, although the future does look rather grim.

Answer 3

Depending on what species of turtle it is, it may be illegal to let the turtle go in the wild. It would be best to contact a pet shop in your area.

Answer 4

That's very cruel to the animal. It's like letting a dog or cat go that has depended on you your whole life. Go to a reptile stor, or call the humaine society. And next time you decide to get a reptile, make sur you know what you're getting into. For the animal's sake.

Answer 5

Check around for local wildlife facilities, they take thes kinda of critters. They will care for him and maybe teach him how to care for himself (they do rehab/release programs). I used to work at a wild life park and they did this witl all sorts of animals that were brought in (even abandond/orphaned fawns).

Answer 6

Dont just let him go! Thats mean!! If you try hard enough someone will take him. Take him to a vet, a pet store, find a kid who has a parent that will take care of him. Anyway, if you really dont want it anymore just do the responsible thing and find him a good home.

Answer 7

if hes been cared for by people his life dont let him go. try to donate him to a zoo , botanical gardens, or some little kid that wants a pet turtle

Answer 8

Call the nearest zoo
or pet shop

Answer 9

if he can't fend for himself than no, try selling or giving him to a pet shop.

Answer 10

You agreed to take care of another life, and you are morally obligated to care for him until he dies. Too much to handle? You should have thought of that before you brought him into your care. Animals aren't just play toys or decorations that we can toss out when we're tired of taking care of them. They are living, sentient beings.

Pet stores will sell it to another family that will end up doing the same thing you did. Abandoning it.