Looking for Russian Tortoise

[josieorr22]

Hi,

I'm looking to adopt a Russian tortoise. I would like to avoid contributing to the pet trade, so I'm open to suggestions of rescues that have Russian tortoises up for adoption, or rehoming one! I am located Boston and also have family near NYC/CT. I will have all of the necessary equipment soon and I am willing to share more info. I have never owned a tortoise before, but I have 3 years of experience working at a nature center where I cared for a Russian tortoise, a Red-Footed tortoise, and many other exotic animals. Lmk if anyone has any suggestions!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

@SinLA might have some tips.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hello just to let you know I run a rescue alongside my husband we have Russian tortoise available for adoption and many other species

Unrelated, but why don't you introduce your rescue in the introductions section?

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Tried doing that seems I don't really know how it works will still look into it in a bit

Go to the introductions section:

https://tortoiseforum.org/forums/introductions.15/

And click the post thread button:

 

[SinLA]

Hi @albert morgan , I am in Burbank and we have lots of SoCal/LA people here. I've been involved in rescue here for some time and am only aware of one group that does Tortoise rescue in LA City proper (not WeHo, where i used to live btw!), other than CTTC type groups.

Can you tell me a bit about your rescue? I'm always on the lookout for good ones. Can you provide your website/name/etc?

 

[SinLA]

Hi,

I'm looking to adopt a Russian tortoise. I would like to avoid contributing to the pet trade, so I'm open to suggestions of rescues that have Russian tortoises up for adoption, or rehoming one! I am located Boston and also have family near NYC/CT. I will have all of the necessary equipment soon and I am willing to share more info. I have never owned a tortoise before, but I have 3 years of experience working at a nature center where I cared for a Russian tortoise, a Red-Footed tortoise, and many other exotic animals. Lmk if anyone has any suggestions!

Hi there! Well good news (bad news?) is that Russians are about the easiest tortoise to find in need b/c they oversell them at Petsmart/PetCo and people don't want them after a tiny fraction of their lives.

So first advice I would give is keep your eyes open on Craigslist as that is going to be the first place people list them. Because of your climate, they won't be there as commonly as somewhere warmer like here in LA, but keep looking regularly and widen your circle to as far a radius as you are willing to drive, and then double it (as the person placing it might be willing to meet you partway).

Also keep an eye on things like AdoptAPet and PetFinder for shelters and rescue groups.

I also highly recommend following House of Pancakes on Instagram, which is in upstate NY as they get references for rescues a lot. They just got in a baby Sulcata. They tend to place within driving distance only.

Also keep an eye here, as new people do come on board just to place their torts.

Let me know if I an answer any other questions!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hi @albert morgan , I am in Burbank and we have lots of SoCal/LA people here. I've been involved in rescue here for some time and am only aware of one group that does Tortoise rescue in LA City proper (not WeHo, where i used to live btw!), other than CTTC type groups.

Can you tell me a bit about your rescue? I'm always on the lookout for good ones. Can you provide your website/name/etc?

Their introduction thread:

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/tortoise-rescue-and-rehoming.224581/

 

[SinLA]

Their introduction thread:

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/tortoise-rescue-and-rehoming.224581/

Yes i JUST found it!!! thanks so much

 

[josieorr22]

Hi there! Well good news (bad news?) is that Russians are about the easiest tortoise to find in need b/c they oversell them at Petsmart/PetCo and people don't want them after a tiny fraction of their lives.

So first advice I would give is keep your eyes open on Craigslist as that is going to be the first place people list them. Because of your climate, they won't be there as commonly as somewhere warmer like here in LA, but keep looking regularly and widen your circle to as far a radius as you are willing to drive, and then double it (as the person placing it might be willing to meet you partway).

Also keep an eye on things like AdoptAPet and PetFinder for shelters and rescue groups.

I also highly recommend following House of Pancakes on Instagram, which is in upstate NY as they get references for rescues a lot. They just got in a baby Sulcata. They tend to place within driving distance only.

Also keep an eye here, as new people do come on board just to place their torts.

Let me know if I an answer any other questions!

Thank you so much! Yeah, I was keeping an eye on a local rescue on PetFinder that had 4 but before I could get my housing to approve one, they all got adopted. (yay for them!)

 

[josieorr22]

Hello just to let you know I run a rescue alongside my husband we have Russian tortoise available for adoption and many other species

Thank you! I saw you are located in CA and I don't really feel comfortable with shipping. Good luck though!