I may be rescuing a russian in a DIRE situation

TechnoCheese

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For the past few weeks, my friend who lives in Connecticut has been informing me of her friend’s tortoise’s... situation. They purchased their tortoise from petco, and it is currently being housed in a 20 gallon, being fed once every 3 days with no lighting. This tortoise has been fed goldfish, and not the snack that smiles back.

The main problem arises with the fact that this tortoise has been outside every day in below freezing weather, sometimes with snow, and forgotten overnight very frequently.

Even worse, is that the owner doesn’t care at all. Here are some samples of the conversations my friend has had with the owner. Note that this has been going on for weeks.
01038D1E-73E3-4FC3-AE7E-C3DD8316738E.jpeg 1F588E73-A6E7-4614-B7E2-A7C63F1F0938.jpeg

We had been discussing it for a while, but this really set it in stone. If the tortoise is still alive and in good enough condition to ship, my friend is going to try and ship her to me.

I have already told her to soak this tortoise immediately upon arrival, and to keep her warm.

When (if) I get her, is there anything I should do besides close monitoring, heavy soaking, and treating her for a respiratory infection (high temps, high humidity, baytril flush if necessary)? I’ll probably soak in carrot baby food too, because I have no idea how malnourished this tortoise is. I’ll probably set up a 50 gallon bin for now, and set up a 28 square foot kiddy pool soon.

I will update you guys as I get more information. I really hope there’s still time to save it.
 

KarenSoCal

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Oh, my, Macy...this is awful! In this day and age ignorance is no longer an acceptable excuse for abuse. But add to that such a horrendous disregard for an innocent being that depends solely on its caretaker...unforgiveable!

Please do keep us updated. If by some chance this person won't release the tort to your friend, I would seriously consider calling animal control. Remember, abuse is now a FEDERAL violation!
 

Tom

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Before you go too crazy with heat and humidity, give the tortoise a couple of days at room temp. If it has been outside, its probably in a state of hibernation. Putting it in to instant "summer" conditions will be shocking. Let it adjust slowly. Warm things gradually over a few days. No need for high humidity on an adult Russian at any time. They can survive high humidity when they are acclimated, like those that live in Florida, but they don't "need" much humidity as adults.
 

TechnoCheese

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Before you go too crazy with heat and humidity, give the tortoise a couple of days at room temp. If it has been outside, its probably in a state of hibernation. Putting it in to instant "summer" conditions will be shocking. Let it adjust slowly. Warm things gradually over a few days. No need for high humidity on an adult Russian at any time. They can survive high humidity when they are acclimated, like those that live in Florida, but they don't "need" much humidity as adults.
Thank you, Tom! Would you still recommend soaking?
 

TechnoCheese

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Oh, my, Macy...this is awful! In this day and age ignorance is no longer an acceptable excuse for abuse. But add to that such a horrendous disregard for an innocent being that depends solely on its caretaker...unforgiveable!

Please do keep us updated. If by some chance this person won't release the tort to your friend, I would seriously consider calling animal control. Remember, abuse is now a FEDERAL violation!
Luckily, the owner finally did agree to letting my friend take it last night. My friend is hopefully going to be meeting up with the owner’s mom in about 2-3 hours. I’ll be sure to update then.
 

RosemaryDW

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Thank you, Tom! Would you still recommend soaking?

It likely won’t want to drink just coming out. Give it a few days and then give it a shot of room temp water, not warm. Mine doesn’t drink straightaway after hibernation; she needs time to wake up. A day or two and she’s ready.
 

TechnoCheese

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I’m not entirely sure what happened, but it must have been something big, because my friend doesn’t really want to talk about it. I doubt I’ll be getting the tortoise, and I’m not sure if it’s alive, but I’ll give updates if more information comes.
 

wellington

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I would be turning her in for animal neglect. What a jerk. Hope the poor thing is okay. Let us know.
 

KarenSoCal

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Another heartbreaking tragedy. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the cruelty, intentional abuse, and neglect that is so rampant.

Actually, I suppose I shouldn't be...every day there is another news story that someone has treated children as badly.
 

Banditboxer

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For the past few weeks, my friend who lives in Connecticut has been informing me of her friend’s tortoise’s... situation. They purchased their tortoise from petco, and it is currently being housed in a 20 gallon, being fed once every 3 days with no lighting. This tortoise has been fed goldfish, and not the snack that smiles back.

The main problem arises with the fact that this tortoise has been outside every day in below freezing weather, sometimes with snow, and forgotten overnight very frequently.

Even worse, is that the owner doesn’t care at all. Here are some samples of the conversations my friend has had with the owner. Note that this has been going on for weeks.
View attachment 285154 View attachment 285155

We had been discussing it for a while, but this really set it in stone. If the tortoise is still alive and in good enough condition to ship, my friend is going to try and ship her to me.

I have already told her to soak this tortoise immediately upon arrival, and to keep her warm.

When (if) I get her, is there anything I should do besides close monitoring, heavy soaking, and treating her for a respiratory infection (high temps, high humidity, baytril flush if necessary)? I’ll probably soak in carrot baby food too, because I have no idea how malnourished this tortoise is. I’ll probably set up a 50 gallon bin for now, and set up a 28 square foot kiddy pool soon.

I will update you guys as I get more information. I really hope there’s still time to save it.
 

Banditboxer

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I live in CT and I would be very honored to help and care for this Russian. I have experience and currently am “owned” by a Chinese box turtle for almost 25 yrs, and a Red foot tortoise in seperate large enclosures of course.
 

Obbie

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I will NEVER understand how people can be so cruel, but turned on the news this morning to a woman had suffocated her 3 children !!!! I love my Mali (Sulcatta), and my 2Jack Russells. I drove them all from Minnesota to Tucson to winter with me.
 

theTurtleRoom

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This just highlights the tragedy of these animals being sold casually from pet stores to people who have no idea what they are getting into BY people who have no idea what they are doing. Such a shame.
 
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