Cruelty to animals violates the law. She was cruel. My children, at six would never have mistreated any animal in such a way. Your sister has big issues that should be adressed by a professional child psychologist. This is intolerable and cruel, to the tortoise and to you. Her act was...
I advise Russian. Red foots have specific humidity requirements, and Leopards are tricky too. Russians are more adaptable, and much smaller. Leopards are quite large by comparison.
I have two geese. They are bad to the bone yard protection first class. While they are not huggable, they are gentle, so safe for my kids to be around. If anything enters the back yard, I hear it, even in a dead sleep. The neighbors have been kind enough to tolerate occasional ruckus.
Mine did that a lot indoors when I supervised his roaming. In his outdoor pen, they are often in their hide, but come out every time I call them to feed them, and are very active. I think once they know their domain, they don't hide so much.
My wife has a hedgehog- one of the oddest characters I have ever met. I am the only one that can stand to pick him up out of his cage. He runs all night on his saucer, and loves mealworms. You took great pics.