Where can I donate my red-eared turtle?

Question

I currently have two red-eared turtles, one is 1 year old, around 7" ,and the second one is just a little baby, like 1 1/2", and I need to donate them because we are not able to afford them and do not have the space for their growing needs. If there is Anyone out there that can help me. I would greatly appreciate it.

Or......If you wouls like more information about the turtle, and would like to adopt it. Just let me know. Thank you.

The larger one IS one year old, my husband bought it when it was an eety beety turtle, so it is about one year old, but thank you for all your answers.

Answer 1

You may need to check your measurements or ages. At 7" long, it is probably more like 5 or 6 years old.

Sadly, the Red-ear slider is one of the most donated turtles in the world. So many people get rid of them that there are established breeding colonies in most countries and almost every US state.

Most animal rescue operations have as many of these as they can take, and several are on record as stating that any more that are donated must either be accompanied by a donation to cover costs, or they have some other similar policies in place. here is the policy of one national program: http://www.turtlehomes.org/usa/red_ear_slider_adoptions.shtml

You still have a couple options however!

A flyer at local pet shops offering the turtles free to a good home (and possibly offering the tank as well) usually does the trick.

A pet shop might buy back the smaller turtle, but larger turtles are a lot harder to sell- they might take both back if it was an 'both or nothing' deal.

Schools, university biology departments, nature centers, small zoos, etc. might be interested in them, as might some of the local animal rescue operations (they are not ALL crowded with Red-ears!)

Releasing them to the wild is both illegal in many places, and usually not fair to the turtle, the other species in the area, or the habitat. Finding a neighbor or someone with a pond on their private property is an option if they will let you put them there.

Please understand that I know this last comment will upset some people, but if you run out of other choices, you can humanely euthanize a turtle by simply letting it freeze. No one does this without running out of other options, and no one approaches this option lightly. I hope no one ever needs to go this far, but the sad reality is that there are more of these turtles than there are good homes for them.

Answer 2

If you can get them to the Houston, Texas area, the Gulf Coast Turtle & Tortoise Society can take them. They will be adopted to members with outdoor backyard ponds. I'm the secretary of the organization and a wildlife rehabilitator.

Answer 3

It is great that you are looking out for the turtles needs over you own. I do not know how long you have had them but sometimes people are so attached they would rather see the turtle eat less or live in the wrong habitat just because of their selfishness. good job and good luck finding your buds a new home.

Answer 4

donate them to a local zoo or sanctuary or e-mail me @: [e-mail]
I do have experience I have a Yellow-bellied slider (10 years old) & a Russian Tortoise (2 years old)

Answer 5

How mutch cuz i myself have 2 of them so if ma dad would let me ill love to but i live in holland that might be a problem

Answer 6

Advertise in your local newspaper that you have two turtles for sale. Don't give them away free because people have taken pets and sold them to laboratories.

Answer 7

Im sure a local human society would be pleased to take them :)

Answer 8

I would look online for a reptile rescue or sanctuary.

Answer 9

If you live in or near Northwest Ohio, my old fire department will take them.
If so, write me at
[e-mail]

Answer 10

a petting zoo should help or as a veternarian in your local area