Recently I heard of a tortoise that was rescued from substandard conditions in petshop and then placed in a mixed specie enclosure. As we all agree this not acceptable but the rescuer was well intentioned. My question is how is good rescue to be setup and run ? I have observed that that most part mainline animal rescues have little or no knowledge of the care of coldbroods in general. How should we proceed with the rescue of these animals and how would you set-up a rescue in areas where there is no interest from the main rescue orgs?

Itort , I am about a month away from opening a real deal turtle and tortoise sanctuary. I am focusing not only on local rescues but country wide acceptance of in need turtles and tortoises.

I am going to develop relationships with rescues and hopefully provide permanent sanctuary for many of their rescued animals.

My advice would be to rescue what you can. But find someone who is experienced. You can then send them out to the right people who live in the right climate.

If you have a heart for turtle and tortoise rescue I would love to work with you. Shoot me an email and we can talk more about it.

i have the same questions.

I have my hands full with law school, but I know people who have plenty of land and who would be willing to house torts. The trouble would come in the form of vet bills for the sickly and money for food for the ones who need more than greens and grass.

what is better - to setup a makeshift rescue or to not bother? and if I wanted to set one up how would I even go about it - I have emailed my local animal interest groups but they are pretty weak.

It's a fine line, but if you can take them in and give them a better life then what they had I think that's the best. Always keep in mind your own limitations.

It is so easy to overextend yourself and it happens without you realizing it sometimes. We get so caught up in the rescuing that sometimes we forget to plan/prepare for them correctly. They get placed in smaller more crowded cages, so we can just fit in that one more rescued animal. We start trying to save money by feeding less then ideal food. Then there is the time to simply care correctly for these guys. Know your limits in time, space, money, ect..,

As for the vet costs, often you can work with a vet who will cut you some serious breaks as far as costs. Not to mention you will find yourself slowly starting to know how to treat some of the more minor problems yourself, thus also saving money. Just don't fool yourself, there will be vet bills along the way. Have money set aside for it in your monthly budget.

I once ran our local reptile club's rescue and learned a few things the hard way. I am currently working on creating a turtle/tortoise sanctuary, but am taking it slow this time. I am slowly working one enclosure at a time rehabbing it to make them better then they were before.

I have decided that I don't want to house both male and female RES and chance having young. I also don't want to create another large pool just for RES. So for me, I have to draw the line at just taking in the females. That being said, I know if somebody came up and needed an immediate placing of a male RES, I would use one of my smaller currently empty pools and take it in...but only until I could find somebody set up for males.

You can't rescue them all and so you need to decide where your lines in the sand will be, but not be so rigid you can't move them a bit. In the end isn't it better to know you helped one animal lead a better life, then just sat back and said "I wish I had... I should have..."? Just be sure you don't end up being the location animals must be rescued from.

I would say it is good to try and rescue some animals. But what you have to do is devolpe a realtionship with people who will inturn take in these animals to a loving and knowledgeable home. Doing a rescue is pretty much a full time job and can cost a lot of money.

I agree. You really need to get yourself set up into a network of like minded folks. Those other rescues may be weak and not into shelled creatures, but they are great resources to have. They often have experiences and ideas that will help you. Also just because you take in only shells, be ready for somebody to have a snake or a cat that needs rescuing. Know who to pass on this person to.

Jacqui , it is funny you brought that up. I recently adopted 7 neighborhood water turtles. Now I am about to take in a neighbors dog! What can I say a heart for animals is always growing!

For about 10 years I have been involved in purebred cat rescue and have experienced and seen quite a bit of the victories and disappointments of this mission. I know of a number of for profit "rescues" and also number serious just making it rescues. A good network is essential for many reasons.

I didnt think there was such a thing as a for profit rescue.

This is no-kill shelter that when gets purebred animal, holds it back till someone comes in looking for that type animal sells it for the going market price of the animal instead of the adoption fee. Also we found out about the practice of holding a pregnant animal until it gives birth and then destroying the whole litter thereby recieving money from state for destroying multi animals instead of one. Subsidized humane societies are a business.