where can i donate my red eared slider turtles

by Dr. Sadye Kemmer Jr. 7 min read

Petco and Petsmart typically allow ads to be posted. Some animal control agencies and humane societies will accept turtles. There's an adoption posting section at www.turtleforum.com, Some pet stores will accept unwanted turtles.

Where can I donate red-eared sliders?

Jan 11, 2022 · Another great place to donate your red-eared sliders is nature centers, which are typically full of staff that have experience caring for reptiles. Most nature centers care about animals and want to make sure that they live healthy lives. When you come into the center with your turtle, you might get lucky and find a staff member who can take it in.

Is it illegal to own a red eared slider turtle?

May 07, 2021 · Where Can I Donate My Red-Eared Slider Turtles? When giving away your Red-eared Slider, your best bet would be a friend or family member who is willing and capable of adopting a pet turtle. If that’s not possible, you can contact the local zoo or one of several reptile rescue centers in your state and make a request.

Do red-eared slider turtles need a new home?

Most people that have a pet turtle will have a Red Eared Slider. They’re small in size, easy to maintain, and very appealing to keep in your home with you. When to Donate (Surrender) Your Red Eared Slider Turtle: Okay, so the Red Eared Slider turtle is the most popular pet turtle, and therefore the one most commonly found in people’s homes.

Where can I get a red ear slider for my Dog?

Other ways you can attempt to give away your turtle is by posting on turtle forums like ours and others. Sites like craigslist.org can be good too. You can also try posting a flyer at your local pet store offering them up to a good home.

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What can I do with an unwanted red eared slider?

The alternatives to keeping your turtle are:Post your sliders for adoption on our Facebook page, or place a newspaper or craigslist ad. ... Give it to a friend/family member.Put flyers up at your local vets/pet stores. ... Humane euthanasia (done by a vet, not at home.)

Where can I release my turtle?

Generally, wild turtles should be left where they are found. However, sometimes they end up on a road or in another unsafe place. If you find a turtle in the road, it's usually best to just help them across safely and release them in the direction that they were going.

Can I give my turtle to Petco?

People who want to participate can simply take the turtles to the nearest store. Though the CDC warning applies to the smallest turtles, Petco will accept turtles of any size, Burch said.Oct 24, 2012

How do you get rid of red eared slider turtles?

You can also donate him to a reptile rescue center in your state or give him away to a trusty local pet store. Just make sure that you don't release your turtle into the wild since it can have ravaging impacts on both the Slider and the region's native turtle population. It can even lead you to legal problems!May 7, 2021

How can I sell my turtle?

Where Can I Sell My Turtle? (5 Great Options)Look Into Local Laws. ... 1 – Find a Pet Adoption Center. ... 2 – Find a Friend to Adopt the Turtle. ... 3 – Give the Turtle to a Special Park. ... 4 – Pet Stores. ... 5 – Legitimately Selling the Turtle.Dec 25, 2021

Does Petsmart take turtles?

Petco and Petsmart typically allow ads to be posted. Some animal control agencies and humane societies will accept turtles. There's an adoption posting section at www.turtleforum.com, Some pet stores will accept unwanted turtles.

Can I release my red-eared slider?

Those who buy a slider must keep it indoors and must never release it into the wild, including into a private pond. “But people often aren't aware of the regulations, or they don't bother to look at them, or they just don't follow them,” Buchanan said.Jun 23, 2020

What do you do with a pet turtle that you don't want?

If you have a turtle you no longer want, keep trying to find it a home or find a way to "put it to sleep," as we say euphemistically with dogs and cats. Whatever you do, do not release a pet red-eared slider turtle back into the wild.Nov 3, 2013

Does Petco accept red-eared sliders?

Red-eared sliders are available at Petco stores. Contact your nearest location to check availability.

What is the lifespan of a red-eared slider?

30 yearsPond slider / Lifespan (In the wild)

How long do red-eared sliders live in captivity?

20 yearsRed-eared sliders can live a long life in captivity. When cared for correctly, they can easily live longer than 20 years. Red-eared sliders are omnivores.

Where do you release a baby turtle?

0:112:12What to do if you find a baby turtle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's totally fine to leave them where they are and just let them live out their lives where they'reMoreIt's totally fine to leave them where they are and just let them live out their lives where they're hanging out mom turtles when after they lay their eggs they leave the nest.

Root of the problem

Millions of sliders are bred for the pet trade. These turtles are often sold on a whim at fairs, boardwalks, and dollar stores, and many become impulse pets to uninformed consumers.

Possible Solutions

Your best bet is to find the time and space for your turtle. This may not be easy, and I understand that for some folks, it may not be possible at all. RES turtles ultimately need an outdoor setup, which can be made with a little time and money.

What is the risk of small turtles?

Small turtles are a well-known source of salmonella infections , particularly in children. The risk is so strong, the Food and Drug Administration banned the sale and distribution of turtles with shells less than 4 inches wide in 1975.

How many people have been sickened by salmonella?

As of last week, 219 people in 34 states had been sickened in six overlapping outbreaks by salmonella found in small turtles sold in souvenir shops and at street fairs, CDC officials said. Infections have been caused by three rare strains of salmonella: Sandiego, Pomona and Poona.

Can baby red-eared slider turtles carry salmonella?

Baby red-eared slider turtles may be cute, but they can also carry dangerous salmonella bacteria. Petco, a retail chain, has offered to take back unwanted turtles and send them to a Louisiana turtle farm. Sam Panthaky / AFP - Getty Images

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