I found a turtle- need a good home

Apparently it's common that people abandon red-eared sliders, because they're not very easy to care for when they get bigger.
I was raking leaves and found it under a pile of leaves. We live on a VERY busy road and have no clue how it got to us. Maybe a nearby neighbor released it. I'm not sure. All I know is that we can't afford to care for it and The Turtle Rescue of Long Island can not help us out again (they helped us in the past when finding turtles, despite the fact that they said on their website that they cannot take red-eared sliders). I'm at a loss for what to do and I feel bad for it. If anybody could take it or knows of somebody that could, I would appreciate it.

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

Do you have a pic of him or any other info? (size, etc...) DH has a coworker who has a couple of tortises as well as turtles, and who loves them!- DH can ask him if he'd be interested in another one.

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

I honestly don't know much about him...her? It's about 6 inches long and 5 inches wide, so it's definitely at least a few years old. The shell is fine (no marks or damage). The only issue I can see is that he is weak. I have no idea how long he was outdoors for. If your friend was interested, that would be amazing. I feel so bad that he was abandoned, but I can't provide for him and don't want him to be suffering in a cooler that's way to small for him. Let me know what his co-worker says and thanks in advance for asking . Here is a picture:

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 7/23/2008 11:26:01 AM.

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

Awww! I had a turtle just like him growing up. We ended up giving him to people who had a large area with a pond for him to play in a few years later. We also found him on the street. I'll never understand how anyone could abandon an animal

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

I actually found a red earred slider that was hit by a car last week. Because he was hurt the vet took him, I don't know if he made it.

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

I would be interested...we have two turtles at the house and dh has 2 more at his job. Where do you live? Please FM me.

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

Please make sure he is in water... as he is completely aquatic...

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

Poor baby!

This may sound like a stupid question, but I really don't know and want to learn.

Are turtles that are housepets unable to live outside if someone abandons them? What if they are left by a pond? Is the issue them relying on humans for food and water, or just the water?

Thanks to anyone that can answer.

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

Red-eared sliders are not native to Long Island. If they are released into a pond, not only are their lives in danger, but they are endangering the other wildlife in the pond. It's unfortunately done a lot though. People think that they're giving the turtle a better home and don't realize that not only are they putting the turtle at harm, but they're putting other wildlife at harm as well. From Wikipedia:

"Pet Red-eared Sliders should not be released into a wild habitat. These pets could carry organisms that the wild populations are not immune to and the pet may not have the proper immune system that is required to live in a wild habitat. Disease could easily be spread by this practice. Pet turtles fed commercial diets also may not recognize natural foods and may associate humans with food which could endanger the turtle. Pet owners should contact a rescue organization if they no longer want their turtle."

It's actually also illegal to release a captive turtle into the wild. It wasn't a stupid question at all. These turtles are being abandoned frequently because people are uninformed about them. I had NO clue about all the care that turtles need. When I found this turtle, I thought that maybe we could keep him/her, but when I did research and saw all the care they need, I realized that it's difficult, time-consuming and expensive and the fact that turtles can live up to 40 years...well, let's just say, I can see why they're abandoned so often. It's not fair, people should learn how difficult it is BEFORE buying them as a pet.

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

Good for you for saving the turtle Hope you are able to find him a good home

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

Mrs.Flatbread sounds like she would be a wonderful turtle momma! I also found a group on myspace that does rescues that you could email: Long Island Reptile & Amphibian Rescue.

DH and I have found a few near our home, and I've often wondered if they were born in the wild or abandoned. Maybe he was living in the pond on your block?

Message edited 7/24/2008 8:33:49 AM.

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

I'm not sure where you are located, but you could also try Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery. They took a few turtles I had found and got them to a rescue for me.

Re: I found a turtle- need a good home

Thanks Kristin! The new turtle loves his new aquatic home with his other turtle friends!! I will take pictures and post them!! Thanks again for finding him and keeping him safe!

Message edited 7/25/2008 10:22:06 AM.