Hi all, so I am updating my living will and I have two red foot tortoises that I want to include. Unfortunately, I don't have family or friends that are interested in taking them in if anything happened to me. I'm looking for a sanctuary where they would spend the rest of their days and not get adopted out. I know that's probably hard to come by but I can't stand to think that they would get adopted and possibly live the rest of their lives in undesirable conditions. I want to have peace of mind that this is where they will go and where they will stay. I live in Florida but I would be ok with other states. Especially since it's probably slim pickings. Is there anything out there that anyone could recommend? Thanks so much!!!
Any reputable sanctuaries?
- Thread starter Taryn73
- Start date
Joshua Tree Reptile Haven
A rescue with tons of animals is a hot bed for tortoise diseases, and with all those animals, they can't possibly get the individual care and attention they need. It would be best for your tortoises to be adopted by a loving home where they will get more care and attention.
I would also recommend keeping them in Florida. While they can survive in other climates, the warmth and humidity of Florida is ideal for them. I see them here in CA on the regular, and they never look good. I think they suffer in dry climates.
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2012
- Messages
- 5,222
- Location (City and/or State)
- South of Southern California, but not Mexico
You are asking that your judgement to find a reputable sanctuary not include, the sanctuary to make that same judgment for who they might adopt to. A cake and eat it too situation. Tom brings up a good point - a loving good natured sanctuary does not always include veterinarian oversight or people skilled in disease management and quarantine. There will be OTJ experience, but that's not the same thing.
Also agree with Tom on re-climatizing to another location.
There is a Redfoot specialty rescue in Florida, but I don't think they would be considered a 'sanctuary' in that they receive and place animal out.
I understand while you are alive your intention regards their future. But once you've past, all well wishes get lost pretty quick. I've seen this in my own and other's families as it regards estates. They're going to do what they're going to do.
Also agree with Tom on re-climatizing to another location.
There is a Redfoot specialty rescue in Florida, but I don't think they would be considered a 'sanctuary' in that they receive and place animal out.
I understand while you are alive your intention regards their future. But once you've past, all well wishes get lost pretty quick. I've seen this in my own and other's families as it regards estates. They're going to do what they're going to do.
Thanks Tom, that's a good way to look at it. I guess it would be better for me to find a rescue that does a deep dive into husbandry etc. before adopting them out to ensure they go to a good home. I would think most rescued would. I just picture them getting adopted out to someone that will keep them in a terrarium.
T
Yes, I think it's also a good idea to keep them in Florida. I do have a lot of family and would hope that they would try and follow my wishes although like you said, a lot of things never get carried through. I follow the woman who runs the red foot tortoise rescue on social media. I've thought about her as well. Both of my dogs passed and I vowed to never go through that again so I got tortoises knowing that they would probably out live me and I wouldn't get too attached, because come on, they are tortoises. Well, I was 1,000% wrong. This has opened my eyes how amazing reptiles are and now I'm in the same but different predicament. 
I will definitely take both you and Toms advice. Thank you.
I will definitely take both you and Toms advice. Thank you.
There are lots of good people that take good care of their tortoise out in the world. Best case scenario would be for you to find someone like that and make some sort of deal ahead of time. That way you'd have all the control about where they go. A private person with a small collection will generally be a much better home than a big facility with many more animals to look after.Yes, I think it's also a good idea to keep them in Florida. I do have a lot of family and would hope that they would try and follow my wishes although like you said, a lot of things never get carried through. I follow the woman who runs the red foot tortoise rescue on social media. I've thought about her as well. Both of my dogs passed and I vowed to never go through that again so I got tortoises knowing that they would probably out live me and I wouldn't get too attached, because come on, they are tortoises. Well, I was 1,000% wrong. This has opened my eyes how amazing reptiles are and now I'm in the same but different predicament.
Last edited:
