Skip to Content

Giving up your Turtle

Have you noticed that there are moments in your life when you need to give up someone or something just because you need to? And why is the word ‘goodbye’ inevitable even for pets?

Sometimes circumstances such as this just come so perfectly untimely like a bad joke on your feelings when you have already established a certain degree of attachment between you and your pet.

So you are left with no choice but at least see to it that what you are giving up falls in good hands and that the recipient will love it as much, or better, as you did.

Giving up and letting go of a pet turtle, tortoise or any other pet for that matter, that you have come to love could be one of the hardest things you have ever had to do.

A pet usually becomes a friend, a family member, and most of the time they absorb the physical and emotional burdens of the day. Their calmness and peacefulness make you wish that if only life can be a little generous, you can be one of them for a day.

Nevertheless, there are quite a few possible choices for you to make sure your pet turtle won’t feel dumped like a rug and to free yourself of guilt. Below we have some suggestions:

1. Think of a friend who could possibly love your turtle the way you do.

You must be able to assess, secretly, your friend’s capability in taking in a pet, a turtle in particular, intellectually, financially and emotionally. Is his home conducive for a turtle pet?

Is he knowledgeable, or willing to learn from you, on how to take care of your pet? Is he financially stable enough to provide for the needs of your pet? Is he a pet loving person, or has the potential to be one?

This option will also enable you to freely visit your pet in the first few days of the adoption as part of its acclimatization process while adapting to his new owner and environment. You should be confident by now that turtles are sturdy creatures and need minimal training or acclimatization.

They cause little trouble and make wonderful, handy pets. It can even be a birthday gift or a Christmas present to camouflage the necessity of the adoption and to ease out the hurt of parting.

2. You can find a nearby park or zoo that have turtles already in their care.

It may be painful on your part to think that you are donating your pet but your innocent turtle would love to have companions of his kind, and come to think about it, he could possibly raise another turtle family. Just look into the legal side of it and accomplish certain paper works if you need to.

3. Find a pet adoption center.

There are numerous pet adoption centers not only for turtles but for other animals as well. Pet adoption centers are equipped with well trained staff and well cared home to provide your pet a good and loving abode.

For that you need to accomplish some documents after passing the preliminary screening to make sure that you are the authentic owner or donor. The same is done also to candidates who want to adopt a pet.

They are screened and evaluated if they are financially and emotionally ready to take the responsibility. You can find pet adoption centers online. and you can also advertise online that you are letting go of your pet turtle and you are looking for somebody knowledgeable and to willing take it.

Donation and adoption of pets has now earned major cultural significance and worldwide tourism value. For one, International trade in all sea turtle species and their parts is prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Several organizations see to it that no turtle is being abused: www.conserveturtles.org – deals about Sea Turtle Conservancy.

Formerly known as Caribbean Conservation Corporation, it is working on protecting sea turtles through education, research and advocacy; https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ – an education site for children and teachers focusing on saving turtles from extinction; and, worldwildlife.org/species/sea-turtle – WWF works to stop by catch, reduce abusive harvest and illegal trade and prevent the loss of critical sea turtle habitats.

​So don’t be so ill about giving up your turtle. You have several choices that could lessen your burden in so far as your pet’s welfare is concerned. You have welcomed him with a sweet hello, you can kiss him goodbye happily, and rest assured, he’ll be truly safe, too.

What Next? Well… Check out the links below!

Click to rate this post!
[Total: 3 Average: 3]

Sharing is caring!

Brooklyn

Monday 11th of March 2024

i have a male painted turtle that i need to rehome . if your interested please reply. i’m near concord NC

Paula Hailey

Friday 17th of November 2023

I have 2 red ear sliders. One female & one male. The male has been going after her biting and latching onto her neck. He has her under water swinging her around. I don’t know what to do. I separated them. She’s in the tank(75gal)and he’s outside in a kiddy pool. Need a better way

Thais Cardoso

Monday 13th of November 2023

I have a two-year-old yellow belly lake turtle who needs a home with better care if anyone is interested, reply for more information, please

Petrona Francisco

Monday 7th of August 2023

I have two turtles, both are 1 year old. I have a Peninsular cooter, and a painted turtle. Unfortunately I can't have them anymore because I'll be going to college soon and I don't have anyone to take care of them. If anyone is interested in adopting either or both of them, please send me a message at this email [email protected] I would really appreciate it.

Petrona Francisco

Monday 14th of August 2023

@Petrona Francisco, I live in Massachusetts, if you live in the United States, I can find a way to send them to where you live, if possible, I will pay the shipping and everything that is required. The only thing I want is to find them a good home where they take good care of them as I have tried to do until now, only unfortunately I can no longer take care of them.

Anish Philip

Saturday 5th of August 2023

I have a 3 red ear slider. One is female 8 months big size and other two are 1 month old male and female. If interested please email

Anish Philip

Saturday 5th of August 2023

@Anish Philip, please email me @ [email protected]