So I made a mistake and I need help fixing it.
Yesterday I was looking at a house to buy and my parents were there for their input and there was a baby painted turtle just randomly at the side of the house. My step dad talked me into taking it home, as there was no water around and it was near the street.
Now I feel terrible for stealing it from the wild and want to let it go. I told my step dad this (I swear, he's a turtle pusher) and he said it may die since it's disorientated (it finally calmed down, but was initially going nuts in its tank) from the change. I don't know what to do. If I release it, I want to be sure it won't die from my interference. I have other turtles, so it's not like I couldn't take care of it. There is a small fishing pond in town that I think has turtles that I want to release it to. I'd go back where I got it, but that's over an hour away, and in a residential neighborhood. It's only been a day, so I'm fairly certain it hasn't been too long. Please help, I feel horrible..
Yesterday I was looking at a house to buy and my parents were there for their input and there was a baby painted turtle just randomly at the side of the house. My step dad talked me into taking it home, as there was no water around and it was near the street.
Now I feel terrible for stealing it from the wild and want to let it go. I told my step dad this (I swear, he's a turtle pusher) and he said it may die since it's disorientated (it finally calmed down, but was initially going nuts in its tank) from the change. I don't know what to do. If I release it, I want to be sure it won't die from my interference. I have other turtles, so it's not like I couldn't take care of it. There is a small fishing pond in town that I think has turtles that I want to release it to. I'd go back where I got it, but that's over an hour away, and in a residential neighborhood. It's only been a day, so I'm fairly certain it hasn't been too long. Please help, I feel horrible..