Laws

[wrmitchell22]

Are there any laws specific to owning Sulcatas, I live in AZ? I wondered because I had seen some posts regarding California and Desert Torts that made me nervous, thanks for the input

 

[October]

Not that I am aware of, but others may know something I don't. The only thing I can think of is it may be technically illegal to release them into the desert/wild.

 

[Kristina]

No. The reason that there are laws concerning DTs is because they are native and endangered. Sulcata tortoises are neither to the United States.

 

[wrmitchell22]

Ah hah, that makes sense thanks!

 

[Tom]

Legally, you need a health certificate from a licensed vet to cross state lines with a leopard or sulcata.

 

[Jacob]

Eveerythhing was Mentioned Above!
Sulcatas, Are Legal, But Need A Health Certificate to Cross States I Belive?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Jenn:

Aside from the rule about needing a vet certificate to insure African tortoises are free of parasites/ticks in order to take them across the state lines, any state, there are no laws about owning sulcatas. Most every state, though, does have rules about releasing non-native species in each state.

 

[TortieLuver]

That is true, no laws with Sulcatas. It's interesting because you are supposed to have a health cert to cross state lines with tortoises, (federal law) but that is true even for other animals. People don't realize when they take the family dog with them on vacation and cross state lines, you are supposed to carry a health cert in the car while transporting your dog or cat as well.

 

[wrmitchell22]

Thanks everyone, I asked because we are going to San Diego in a couple weeks and I was having trouble finding someone I could trust to watch Boulder, so I considered taking him along. We will be staying with friends and they have no pets so it shouldn't be too tough, except the 6 hour drive there and back.