Does anyone know where to release pet turtles?

Question

I want to release them to somewhere that they would be good.

the turtles sizes are bigger than my hand (average size hand)! There are five of them

Answer 1

If there are parks where you live, let them go there. Split them up if possible . . . it's better for them. That's what happens when people sell baby red-eared sliders. Buyers don't know what they're getting into. I had two at one time, and they were getting to be too much trouble to care for. They got to be about 6" or 7" long before I let them go. I enjoyed having them, but changing the water and cleaning the tank was very inconvenient for me. I bought all the equipment I needed to care for them though. Heaters, light, filters, thermometers, special foods, etc. That's better treatment than a lot of those poor turtles get. Next time I'm definitely going to look for a tortoise. Good night!

I just thought about it after reading the next answer, but it is possible for turtles in captivity to transmit diseases to wild turtles. Typically it's a bad idea to let pets go . . . they might become an invasive species. But red-eared sliders are all over the place so that's pretty unlikely. If you can't find someone who will take them off your hands, letting them go in a park is about the best option you have. Good luck!

Gee, three thumbs down? The answer isn't that bad. What was I supposed to tell her to do, kill the turtles if she can't find someone who wants to take them? Because if you can't let them go in a place where they're native or find someone to take them off your hands then that's about all you can do. Anyway, those ponds in parks are hardly natural ecosystems . . . and they usually have red-eared sliders anyway. I'm making an assumption that those turtles are red-eared sliders, because that's the most common species for people to get stuck with involuntarily (because of all those people selling their hatchlings "for educational purposes").

Answer 2

There's no question on instinct taking over (actually there is a good deal of debate over it, but most of the time it's agreed that millions of years of instinct can and will overcome a stay in a cage) and letting it be able to find food, but there are other issues to take into consideration besides whether he'd know how to take care of himself... He's been in captivity for 14 years dealing with and developing immunities to all kinds of bacteria and viruses that you've exposed him to in that time, and carries a good deal of them himself. He's never been exposed to the pathogens and parasites that he'd run into in the wild (if you're even in the right climate that he'd make it through the first winter)... So if he's let go, he's not only going to most likely become very ill and likely die, but he'll pass on his ~own~ germs to other turtles that have no immunity against them, causing illness to native populations. And this isn't even getting into the LEGAL issues regarding release of pets into the ecosystem and the damage to native species from exotics. In the future, make sure you know the potential live-span of any pets you get (this turtle isn't even halfway there yet... 35+ years if it's taken care of correctly) so that you're not in this situation. There are options, there may be a turtle rescue organization in your area, or a herpetological society... people who you can trust know how to take care of the animal so that you know it's going to a responsible owner, or you could put an ad out that you've got a turtle you don't want anymore... problem with that is after 14 years (I'd hope) you've gotten a little attached to him and would like him to go somewhere where you know he's getting proper care. Or better yet, make his life better, he's your pet, you caught him and wanted him for some reason, and yeah, he's probably not as "fun" as you hoped he'd be... save up for a bigger tank, or if you've got a porch or a yard, you could get a plastic preformed pond and set the little guy up where it's not so boring (really, though... a turtle's life is a boring thing... the only added "excitement" in the wild is predators... they don't need company and they don't make friends except for during a few months out of the year, and those "friendships" don't last long... Honestly, he's not missing anything by being kept in captivity as long as he's been kept properly and he's in good health.

Answer 3

Domesticated Turtles

Answer 4

You should find another home for your turtles. Pet turtles that are released back into habitats can carry diseases from people and infect the wild turtles. Put an ad in the paper, give them away to friends, donate to a local zoo, or someone else had the marvelous idea of donating to a local school. Please don't turn them loose on their own.

Answer 5

Here is what would happen if you release your turtles into the wild:
-If they are not native to the area, they could become established pests and disrupt the ecosystem, as has happened with red-eared sliders throughout the world.
-If they ARE native to the area, genetic pollution would occur when they breed with local specimens.
-They could introduce diseases to the local turtles
-They may not survive the new habitat

Releasing captive reptiles into the wild has caused problems throughout the world, yet people still continue to do it. Why? Ignorance, I guess.
DO NOT RELEASE THE TURTLES!
If you can't find anybody else that wants it, it would honestly be better to simply euthanize them.

Answer 6

Most state laws prohibit releasing captive animals back into the wild, even if they are indigenous to the state. Domestic animals can carry disease back into a wild population that has no immunity to it. Part of getting pets is taking responsibility for it. Find a pet store, place and ad, or find someone to take your turtles. Do not release into the wild! Look at all the problems Florida is having with large burmese that irresponsible pet owners like you dumped in the Everglades.

Answer 7

Please do not release your turtle. Pet turtles will die if released into the wild. Those that manage to survive can cause problems for other local wildlife. It is best to bring him back to the pet store/breeder you got him from. If you cannot give him back, call your local herp society or animal control.

Answer 8

It is actually illegal in all 50 states to release non-native wildlife, and is illegal in almost every state to release a captive animal in a wild environment. I know it is in the vicinity of a $10,000 fine per animal released in my area, I don't know what the laws are in your area.

I would put out ads on craigslist.com or petfinder.com, it is much better for the animals to remain captive, believe it or not even wild caught animals lose their "wild" instincts very fast when they don't have to use them. Releasing any animal is basically the same as killing it, it will likely starve, die of poisoning, or fall victim to a predator due to lack of ability to hide properly.

I hope you take this decision very seriously and you do the right thing and take the animal to some place where they will be taken care of.

Good Luck finding them homes

Answer 9

short hair is good for a few people, others, not. it depends what u look like

Answer 10

how about contacting your local elementary school and offering it as class mascot to the kindergarden teacher?
or other young group.
Also, if you can go to yahoo groups and join 'freecycle'
in your local area, you can offer the turtle for free and someone will come and pick it up after exchanging emails with you.