Rehoming

[JennyG]

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if you might be able to help me?
I’m looking at rehoming our horsefield tortoise.
I think he’s around 5. We originally bought him from a family member and he wasn’t being cared for properly at the time. I’ve spent time and money on trying to make everything right for him in the few years I’ve had him. But I just feel like we can’t give him what he needs.
I’ve changed all his housing and his diet as per previous advice and he still can’t get about properly on his back legs.
I don’t know what else to do other than rehome him to someone that can give him what he needs.

Is there any rehoming pages I can be directed too?

Thank you

 

[DoubleD1996!]

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if you might be able to help me?
I’m looking at rehoming our horsefield tortoise.
I think he’s around 5. We originally bought him from a family member and he wasn’t being cared for properly at the time. I’ve spent time and money on trying to make everything right for him in the few years I’ve had him. But I just feel like we can’t give him what he needs.
I’ve changed all his housing and his diet as per previous advice and he still can’t get about properly on his back legs.
I don’t know what else to do other than rehome him to someone that can give him what he needs.

Is there any rehoming pages I can be directed too?

Thank you

I wish i had room for more males, but im at capacity until i do some more construction. There are a few members here that would be willing to take him in, but perhaps it'd be better if we helped you figure out what's going on.

Perhaps you can post a few images of his living arrangements, tell us what your feeding, and describe his mobility.

You have to remember, everything that happens with tortoises, happens slow. Growth, getting sick, and even recovery. His mobility could be improved by simply strengthening the back legs. Additionally challenges in the enclosure, by burying, rocks or branches under the substrate for him to climb over.

 

[zovick]

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if you might be able to help me?
I’m looking at rehoming our horsefield tortoise.
I think he’s around 5. We originally bought him from a family member and he wasn’t being cared for properly at the time. I’ve spent time and money on trying to make everything right for him in the few years I’ve had him. But I just feel like we can’t give him what he needs.
I’ve changed all his housing and his diet as per previous advice and he still can’t get about properly on his back legs.
I don’t know what else to do other than rehome him to someone that can give him what he needs.

Is there any rehoming pages I can be directed too?

Thank you

Inability to use the back legs properly is one symptom of metabolic bone disease (MBD). Another sign is a sunken backbone. If you post some pictures of the tortoise (including a side view) we could tell you if that could be the problem and how to address it.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if you might be able to help me?
I’m looking at rehoming our horsefield tortoise.
I think he’s around 5. We originally bought him from a family member and he wasn’t being cared for properly at the time. I’ve spent time and money on trying to make everything right for him in the few years I’ve had him. But I just feel like we can’t give him what he needs.
I’ve changed all his housing and his diet as per previous advice and he still can’t get about properly on his back legs.
I don’t know what else to do other than rehome him to someone that can give him what he needs.

Is there any rehoming pages I can be directed too?

Thank you

Hopefully @Littleredfootbigredheart can give UK specific advice.

 

[SinLA]

I wish i had room for more males, but im at capacity until i do some more construction. There are a few members here that would be willing to take him in, but perhaps it'd be better if we helped you figure out what's going on.

Perhaps you can post a few images of his living arrangements, tell us what your feeding, and describe his mobility.

You have to remember, everything that happens with tortoises, happens slow. Growth, getting sick, and even recovery. His mobility could be improved by simply strengthening the back legs. Additionally challenges in the enclosure, by burying, rocks or branches under the substrate for him to climb over.

FYI this is in the UK…

 

[DoubleD1996!]

FYI this is in the UK…

Oh, didn't even notice

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hi everyone,

I’m wondering if you might be able to help me?
I’m looking at rehoming our horsefield tortoise.
I think he’s around 5. We originally bought him from a family member and he wasn’t being cared for properly at the time. I’ve spent time and money on trying to make everything right for him in the few years I’ve had him. But I just feel like we can’t give him what he needs.
I’ve changed all his housing and his diet as per previous advice and he still can’t get about properly on his back legs.
I don’t know what else to do other than rehome him to someone that can give him what he needs.

Is there any rehoming pages I can be directed too?

Thank you

Hello!

I do always dread the rehome question because unfortunately there is no easy answer good tortoise homes in the uk fall pretty short unfortunately, those who have taken time to learn the most up to date stuff and adapted to create the appropriate amount of space, are usually at capacity here, the rest are less than ideal generally speaking, I know it’s a bit of a bleak way to look at things, but it’s a sad reality here in the uk, good homes are few and far between, many see the recommended enclosure sizing as overkill, and the so called ‘professionals’ are giving some pretty bad housing advice too.

That being said, I completely understand you wanting to give him the best possible chance, I promise I’ve not stated the above to discourage you, but I just want to give you a heads up on the reality in your search, you’ll find plenty willing to offer him a home, but the standards do often fall below the care standards we promote here. Best you can do is go with someone willing to dedicate the largest space, and pass on the care information from the forum.

I remember your previous thread, he does look to have MBD, meaning his walk might always look a bit strange, and it certainly could take longer for him to gain his strength.

Do you have a photo of his new and improved set up? I don’t suppose you’d mind answering these questions?

What are your temperatures like all over? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps(middle and cooler side), night temps?
What kind of basking bulb is being used specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
What kind of uvb does he have now?
How’s humidity?
What kind of monitoring do you have measuring his temp and humidity?
What’s kinds of things is he eating diet wise now?

 

[tortturt]

@EppsDynasty might be able to help you

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

@EppsDynasty might be able to help you

The poster is in the uk unfortunately

 

[tortturt]

oh...

 

[Yvonne G]

In case it's metabolic bone disease, calcium rich foods, supplement with calcium, a good UVB light or real sunshine, and water therapy. *

*water therapy - Under strict supervision place the tortoise in a bowl of water where he can't touch the bottom and allow him to paddle around for five minutes or so a day. Of course, if he sinks, this won't be a viable option. He has to float.

 

[roverill]

Hi @JennyG from chilly Glasgow,

Sorry to hear you're considering rehoming your little one - sounds like you've tried hard to make a better life for a tort that didn't get the best start. I would encourage you to keep going with him/her - as mentioned above, the positive changes you've made are probably making a difference over a longer timeframe and are not visibly apparent yet. However, if you feel your circumstances don't allow this, have you considered re-homing through the Tortoise Protection Group

TPG Rehoming Service
I don't have much experience with them apart from meeting one or two friendly members at a Turtle Conference, but they are UK-based and 'vet' those applying to re-home, making sure they have evidence of suitable indoor and outdoor enclosures etc. - all the info's on their website.

I rehomed a Russian with MBD through TortoiseForum this time last year and he's doing really well - the vet said his bone density had improved after a recent x-ray. I would love to help another, but questioning if I have the time, space, and resources to do well for them ....which probably means I don't I'm the wrong end of the UK as well - too cold and wet up here in bonnie Scotland.

Hope the link helps, let us know what you decide and how you get on x